Marlene Clark

Marlene Clark (December 19, 1937 – May 18, 2023) was an American actress, animator and fashion model. Clark was best known for her portrayals of Ganja Meda in the 1973 horror film Ganja & Hess and Janet Lawson, Lamont's girlfriend in the sitcom Sanford and Son from its fifth season in 1975 until the series conclusion in 1977.

Early life Born on December 19, 1937, in New York City, or Los Angeles (sources differ), Clark was raised in the Harlem section of New York.

Career Of the films Clark appeared in during the 1960s include For Love of Ivy (1968), starring Sidney Poitier, and Putney Swope (1969), which was directed by Robert Downey Sr. then cast her in his unreleased film, Stop! (1970). Clark also appeared opposite Jim Brown and Stella Stevens in Slaughter (1972). The same year, Clark was also in Night of the Cobra Woman (1972). A.H. Weiler of The New York Times wrote in his review of the film, "Miss Clark is an arresting presence as the enamored Ganja. Also, she occasionally invests an unbelievable character with style and humor." That same year, Clark also appeared in the Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon (1973), in which she portrayed a secretary.

Clark was also in Black Mamba (1974). In 1975, Clark was in Switchblade Sisters. On television, Clark portrayed Janet Lawson, the fiancée of Lamont Sanford in the 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son.

Personal life and death In 1968, Clark married Billy Dee Williams in Hawaii. She was the stepmother of his son Corey, from his first marriage. Their marriage lasted only three years, and they officially divorced in 1971. In a 2000 interview, Clark has said she was almost raped while filming a scene for Black Mamba.

Clark died on May 18, 2023, the same day as her Slaughter co-star, Jim Brown. She was 85.

Partial filmography

For Love of Ivy (1968) – Radio Phone Girl Midnight Cowboy (1969) – Girl at Party (uncredited) Putney Swope (1969) – (uncredited) Stop! (1970) – Marlene The Landlord (1970) – Marlene Clay Pigeon (1971) – Saddle Night of the Cobra Woman (1972) – Lena Aruza Beware! The Blob (1972) – Mariane Hargis Slaughter (1972) – Kim Incident on a Dark Street (1973) – Rose Ganja & Hess (1973) – Ganja Meda Enter the Dragon (1973) – Secretary The Beast Must Die (1974) – Caroline Newcliffe Newman's Law (1974) – Edie Black Mamba (1974) – The Witch Lord Shango (1975) – Jenny Switchblade Sisters (1975) – Muff The Baron (1977) – Caroline