What happened to Marlene Clark?

Marlene Clark has died at the age of 85. Her family shared that her death occurred at her home in Los Angeles on May 18, 2023. No cause of death was revealed.

Born on December 19, 1949, Marlene Clark made an appearance in several films including For Love of Ivy (1968), Putney Swope (1969), The Landlord (1970), Stop (1970), Night of the Cobra Woman (1972), and more, during the early stages of her career.

She collaborated with Bill Gunn another time to star in the 1973 horror film, Ganja & Hess. A. H. Weiler of The New York Times wrote his review of the film that “Miss Clark is an arresting presence as the enamored Ganja. Also. she occasionally invests an unbelievable character with style and humor.”

Clark also appeared in the Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon that same year, where she played the role of a secretary. In 1974, she also starred in Black Mamba and The Beast Must Die. 

She appeared in Switchblade Sisters in 1975, and a few other films in the 70s including Clay Pigeon, Beware! The Blob, Newman’s Law, and more. She played the role of Janet Lawson, the fiance of Lamont Sanford in the 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son.