Fred Clark (March 19, 1914 – December 5, 1968) was a prolific American character actor of stage, screen, and television, a master of the comedic “slow burn” who specialized in portraying perpetually exasperated, blustering, and apoplectic authority figures.
With his gruff voice and expert comedic timing, Clark became a go-to actor for playing bellowing executives and cynical producers. His memorable film roles include the studio boss Sheldrake in the classic noir Sunset Boulevard (1950), the no-nonsense businessman Waldo Brewster in How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), and the hot-tempered executive in The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956).
He became a household face to television audiences in the 1950s with his recurring role as Harry Morton, the perpetually annoyed neighbor of George and Gracie on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. His ability to hilariously convey simmering frustration cemented his legacy as one of the great comedic character actors of his era.
