Illness and Death
In 1988, Clark was diagnosed with bone cancer. He continued announcing for Wheel of Fortune for as long as he was able to up until the end of the 1987–1988 season. During that time, hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White announced the fee plugs on the syndicated version. When he was away, Charlie O'Donnell and Johnny Gilbert began filling in as substitute announcers.
Clark died on July 21, 1988 at the age of 62, just before production of the 1988–1989 season was to begin, and is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. He had requested that O'Donnell return to take his place, but since O'Donnell was not available due to his prior obligations with Chuck Barris Productions, Los Angeles-area disc jockey M.G. Kelly announced from mid-1988 to February 1989, when O'Donnell returned to the show.
Read more about this topic: Jack Clark (television Personality)
Famous quotes containing the words illness and/or death:
“... how I understand that love of living, of being in this wonderful, astounding world even if one can look at it only through the prison bars of illness and suffering! Plus je vois, the more I am thrilled by the spectacle.”
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