Ernest Clark

Ernest Clark MC (12 February 1912 – 11 November 1994) was a British actor who worked across stage, television, and film. Born in Maida Vale, London, he was the son of a master builder and received his education at St Marylebone Grammar School. After leaving school, Clark worked as a reporter for a local newspaper in Croydon before transitioning to acting when a position with a local repertory company became available. His first stage appearance took place at the Festival Theatre in Cambridge in 1937. Six years of his early career were interrupted by service in the British Army during World War II, during which he was awarded the Military Cross.

Following the war, Clark resumed his acting career and went on to perform in both the West End in London and on Broadway in New York. His Broadway work spanned from 1950 to 1954 and included productions of The Cocktail Party and Witness for the Prosecution. The latter production was staged at Henry Miller's Theatre in New York City in 1955. That same year, Clark appeared on film as Air Vice-Marshal The Honourable Ralph Cochrane AFC RAF, AOC, No. 5 Group RAF in The Dam Busters.

Clark became particularly well known to television audiences through his recurring role as the irascible Professor Geoffrey Loftus in the BBC comedy series Doctor in the House and its sequels. He also appeared in the related series Doctor at Sea, though in that production he played Captain Norman Loftus, the brother of Professor Loftus. Additionally, Clark took on the role of the Dean in two series of the BBC sitcom All Gas and Gaiters, which ran from 1967 to 1971, a part originally played by John Barron, who returned to the role in later series. Beyond his performing career, Clark served as president of the actors' trade union Equity from 1969 to 1973.

Clark married three times. His first two marriages ended in dissolution, with one of those wives being actress Avril Hillyer. In 1972 he married Julia Lockwood, born Margaret Julia Leon in 1941, the actress daughter of British film star Margaret Lockwood. That marriage lasted until his death and produced four children: Timothy, Nicholas, Lucy, and Katharine. Clark died on 11 November 1994 in Hinton St. George, Somerset, at the age of 82.