‘The Blacklist’ actor, Clark Middleton, has passed away from West Nile Virus. The actor, director and producer, who featured in Kill Bill Vol. 2, The Blacklist and Snowpiercer, died as a result of West Nile Virus.
His wife Elissa announced his death. He was 63.
Center for Disease Control explains that the West Nile Virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.
It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall.
Announcing his demise, his wife Elissa penned down a message: “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of a life eminently worthy of celebration: Clark Tinsley Middleton, 63 – beloved actor, writer, director, teacher, hero, husband, beacon, friend.
“Clark transitioned on October 4th as a result of West Nile Virus, for which there is no known cure. Clark was a beautiful soul who spent a lifetime defying limits and advocating for people with disabilities.”
During his career, Clark Middleton worked with prominent directors including Quentin Tarantino in Kill Bill Vol. 2, Ang Lee in Taking Woodstock, Bong Joon Ho in Snowpiercer and Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez in Sin City.
Among his big-screen credits was Academy Award-winning Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). He also wrote and directed original work for both the screen and stage, where he got his start.
Middleton began his trade as an actor in New York in 1983, making his theatrical debut in three plays with late Emmy award-winning actor and Broadway star Geraldine Page. With his debut on Broadway, he portrayed Hugo in the Tony-nominated revival of The Iceman Cometh with Denzel Washington.
In the past 30 years, his extensive stage experience took him across the country, where he performed in major theatres in New York City and Los Angeles, including his one-person critically acclaimed play Miracle Mile. He also created roles for playwrights Sam Shepard, John Guare and John Belluso, among others.
Middleton, a lifetime member of the Actors Studio, taught acting for more than 20 years in New York City. He also lived with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis for more than 50 years and was a spokesperson for the Arthritis Foundation.
“The Blacklist” writer Jon Bokenkamp said in a statement, “I’m heartbroken. Besides being a truly unique and gifted actor, Clark was simply an incredible guy in every way. He was a whip-smart film nut. He loved his work with a passion. And he was insanely generous of spirit. I know his entire family at The Blacklist is devastated by this news. Clark was one of the good ones, and we lost him way too soon.”
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