JOHN J. "JACK" CLARKBy Rob Schmidt |
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John J. (Jack) Clark was born 23 September 1879 in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia, PA. In 1900, at twenty years of age, Jack’s occupation was listed as boat builder, probably working for his step-father James Wignall. [32] In 1910, Jack’s occupation was listed as theatrical actor. Jack is listed as living at 1025 E. Palmer Street, Philadelphia, PA in 1900, 1910, and 1920. [32, 33, 34]
Jack became a theatrical actor and was induced to enter motion pictures in 1907 by Sydney Olcott of the Kalem Company, playing opposite Gene Gauntier, at the time the screen’s outstanding feminine star. He and Miss Gauntier traveled through 24 countries, being the first American film stars to go on foreign location. In the Holy Land, the Kalem Company produced the first film Passion Play, “From the Manger to the Cross.” Jack married his co-star in 1912 during the shooting of the movie in Palestine. Gene was born Genevieve Liggett on 17 May 1885 in Kansas City, MO. She became a silent film actress, scenarist, and later collaborator of director Sidney Olcott. Jack returned from Europe aboard the S.S. Adriatic in 1913. Others on the ship included the director Sidney Olcott. The Adriatic left Liverpool 25 September 1913 and arrived in the port of New York on the 3rd October 1913. [37] Jack and Gene divorced in 1918. Gene Gauntier died at 81 years of age on 18 December 1966 in Cuernavaca, Mexico. [20]
During a three year leave from the films in the early 1920’s, Jack was instructor of dramatic arts at Villanova College. He organized a “dramatic workshop” and produced the mystical play “Vision.” About the same time he staged a pageant, “Charity,” with a cast of 600 persons, which established new records at the Philadelphia Metropolitan Opera House. He also wrote and produced a dramatic musical pageant “Columbus,” which, with a cast of more than a thousand was staged at the Philadelphia Academy of Music for the Knights of Columbus. [19]
Jack married Rose (last name unknown) in 1929. Rose was born in Wisconsin in 1882. Rose’s father was born in Moscow, Russia. In 1930, Jack and Rose were living at 7206 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Also at that residence was Max P. Kleke, his wife Pearl, and their two children, Rose and Harry. Pearl was Rose’s sister. [35] Jack died at 70 years of age on 12 April 1947 in Hollywood, CA.
Among Jack Clark’s plays were “The Prince of Pilsen” and “45 Minutes from Broadway.” Among the films he acted in were “The Colleen Brawn” (1911), “From the Manger to the Cross” (1912), “The Shaughraun” (1912), “The Last of the Mafia” (1915), “A Fool’s Paradise” (1916), “Audrey” (1916), “Pajamas” (1927), “Love and Learn” (1928) and “Broadway Howdy” (1929). Among the films he directed were “The Yankee Girl” (1915) and “The Mad Maid of the Forest” (1915). [20]
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Rob Schmidt, a relative of John J. (Jack) Clark, spends time researching the actor's career and collecting related memorabilia.
19. Obituary from a Philadelphia newspaper
20. Internet site for actors.
32. 1900 US Federal Census; Philadelphia, PA, E.D. 349, Sheet 7, dated 06 June 1900.
33. 1910 US Federal Census; Philadelphia, PA, E.D. 276, Sheet 3B, dated 15 April 1910.
34. 1920 US Federal Census; Philadelphia, PA, E.D. 381, Sheet 1A, dated 10 January 1920.
35. 1930 US Federal Census; Philadelphia, PA, E.D. 19-51, Sheet 6B & 7A, dated 08 April 1930.
37. Ellis Island Website.
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