Anthony Clark Died of Pneumonia Complications, Deadline Reports; Manager and Producer Add Tributes

Since Mike O'Malley announced on Wednesday, Nov. 11, that his former 'Yes, Dear' co-star Anthony Clark had died the day before, a cause of death has surfaced. Deadline reports Clark died from complications related to pneumonia. He was 62.

The cause rests on Deadline's reporting. Clark's family has not been quoted on it, and no hospital, location or timeline of illness has been made public.

Manager and producer speak

Barry Katz, Clark's longtime manager, gave a statement to multiple outlets on Wednesday. "Anthony was one of the funniest and most talented comedian and actors I have ever had the pleasure of watching," Katz said. "It was an honor to represent him, and he will be missed for the joy, happiness and love he brought to everyone he worked with and the audiences that were blessed to see his undeniable performances."

Greg Garcia, executive producer of 'Yes, Dear,' told Deadline that Clark had "the most insane sense of humor" of any comedian he has worked with. "The things that would come out of his mouth were so unexpected and hilarious," Garcia said.

Garcia said the two reconnected over the past two or three years and held monthly phone calls. Clark was "so full of joy and encouragement," Garcia said, when he learned Garcia was trying stand-up for the first time.

Comedians weigh in

O'Malley's original post said the two spoke by phone three weeks before Clark's death. "He had us laughing loudly once again," he wrote. He also shared photos from the final 'Yes, Dear' episode, which ended 20 years ago after 122 episodes.

Dane Cook commented on O'Malley's Instagram post that he performed with Clark in their early years at the Faneuil Hall Comedy Connection in Boston. "He was one of the best live acts I've ever seen," Cook wrote. "Destroyed to a point he made you wanna quit right then and there while watching him do it effortlessly."

Jay Mohr wrote that he "never saw anyone destroy like Tony at Stitches in Boston." Nick Swardson, who said he opened for Clark for years, called him "one of my best friends for a long time." O'Malley replied to Swardson that Clark "was always bragging about your comedy from the get-go."

The career

Clark was born April 4, 1964, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He graduated from Emerson College in 1986 with a mass communication degree. During his time there he won the Top College Comedian Award from the American Collegiate Talent Showcase.

His screen debut came in 1991 on an episode of 'American Playhouse.' In 1995 he appeared in HBO's Young Comedians special, hosted by Garry Shandling, alongside Dave Chappelle, Dave Attell and Louis C.K.

His first lead role was on NBC's 'Boston Common,' which ran two seasons, 1996 to 1997. He followed it with 'Soul Man' opposite Dan Aykroyd.

The role that defined his career was Greg Warner on 'Yes, Dear.' The CBS sitcom premiered Oct. 2, 2000, and ran six seasons through 2006 alongside O'Malley, Jean Louisa Kelly and Liza Snyder. Clark also hosted the fourth season of NBC's 'Last Comic Standing' and appeared in films including 'Dogfight,' 'The Thing Called Love' and 'The Rock.' His most recent credit was 'West of Liberty.'

In a 2006 interview with The Comics Comic, Clark explained why stand-up held his attention. "I love stand-up because the reaction is immediate," he said. "There's no director. There's no writer. No producer. There's just you."

Funeral or memorial arrangements have not been announced. Clark's family has not commented publicly on his death or on the reported cause.