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Blake Clark

Blake Clark has built the kind of wide-ranging screen career that can take him from a live-action comedy to an animated favorite without losing the dry, seasoned comic presence at the center of his work. Born and raised in Macon, Georgia, on February 2, 1946, Clark served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army with the 5th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he worked several jobs, including football coach and high school history teacher, before moving to Los Angeles in 1980 to pursue comedy and show business. Stand-up comedy became one part of a career that has also included film, television, voice acting, singing and screenwriting. In 1984, Clark co-starred in Apt. 2C, George Carlin’s HBO television project, although only its pilot episode was made. His television work later included guest appearances on Home Improvement, Boy Meets World, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Drew Carey Show, Girl Meets World and Community. He also played Fred the chauffeur on Remington Steele. Movie audiences may know Clark particularly well from his recurring work in Adam Sandler comedies. He appeared in The Waterboy, Little Nicky, Mr. Deeds, Eight Crazy Nights, 50 First Dates, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Bedtime Stories, Grown Ups and That’s My Boy. That run made him a familiar supporting presence across several different corners of Sandler’s comedy output. Clark also became part of the Toy Story franchise when he took over the voice of Slinky Dog beginning with Toy Story 3. The role had originally been voiced by Clark’s close friend Jim Varney, who died in 2000. Pixar selected Clark as a performer who could capture the character’s established essence and spirit. He subsequently returned as Slinky Dog in Toy Story 4 and related video game projects, extending a role that connects his comic instincts with one of animation’s best-known ensembles.