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Jack Clay

1926 – 2019

American actor

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About Jack Clay

Lived 1926 – 2019 (aged 92). Jack Clay was an American actor.

Jack DeWayne Clay (October 20, 1926 – September 2, 2019) was an American acting teacher, director and actor.

A graduate of the Northwestern University school of speech under Alvina Krause, Clay taught at Oberlin College (1956 - 1957), University of Miami (1957 - 1961), and the University of South Florida (1961 - 1966). He also headed the Professional Actors Training Programs at Southern Methodist University (1966 - 1986) and the University of Washington (1986 - 1991). While in Dallas, he founded "Stage #1," a professional acting company, and served as its artistic director for eight years.

Clay's teachers included Lee Strasberg, Martha Graham and Eric Hawkins. Among his best-known students were Kathy Bates, Powers Boothe, Patricia Richardson, Stephen Tobolowsky, Beth Henley and Christopher Evan Welch.

Clay was also a distinguished member of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre.

Clay died on September 2, 2019, in Seattle.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Northwestern University, Northwestern University School of Communication
Employers
University of Miami, Oberlin College, Southern Methodist University, University of South Florida
Also known as
Jack DeWayne Clay

People in Jack Clay's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jack Clay's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jack Clay?

American actor (1926-2019)

When was Jack Clay born?

Jack Clay was born on 20 October 1926 in Decatur.

When did Jack Clay die?

Jack Clay died on 2 September 2019 in Seattle.

What was Jack Clay's occupation?

Jack Clay was an actor.

What nationality was Jack Clay?

Jack Clay was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jack Clay

· Wikidata: Q6111702

· DBpedia: Jack Clay

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jack Clay. https://biography.guide/jack-clay/

MLA: "Jack Clay." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jack-clay/.

Chicago: "Jack Clay." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jack-clay/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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