Anthony Clark, Comedian and Star of ‘Yes, Dear,’ Dies at 62

Anthony Clark, the actor and stand-up comedian best known for his role in the CBS comedy “Yes, Dear,” died Tuesday at age 62. His former co-star Mike O’Malley announced the death Wednesday in a statement on X, remembering both Clark’s comedy career and their friendship.

O’Malley recalled discovering Clark’s work before the two became friends. In the mid-1990s, when O’Malley and his wife, Lisa, were dating, Clark was already well known in Boston and regularly performed to sold-out comedy audiences. O’Malley described their first visit to see him at The Comedy Connection as an evening filled with laughter.

In his tribute, O’Malley praised the distinctive way Clark shared the humor in his own stories and observations with an audience. “I was a fan before I was a friend,” he wrote. He also recalled a phone conversation with Clark three weeks earlier, saying his former co-star had once again made them laugh loudly.

Alongside the statement, O’Malley posted photographs from the final episode of “Yes, Dear.” He noted that the series had finished 20 years earlier after 122 episodes. The pictures accompanied a remembrance that connected his early admiration for Clark as a performer with their later years working together on television.

“Yes, Dear” debuted on CBS in 2000 and ran for six seasons. Its premise centered on two young couples whose approaches to parenting differed. Along with Clark and O’Malley, the ensemble included Liza Snyder, Billy Gardell and Joel Homan. The sitcom became the television role for which Clark was best known.

The comedy maintained a following without earning major critical acclaim. Its ability to keep going was the subject of a 2005 Variety article examining the possibility of another season. That coverage described a show making a strong case for renewal after having survived an earlier threat to its continuation.

Before “Yes, Dear,” Clark appeared in films including “Dogfight,” “The Thing Called Love” and “The Rock.” Born April 4, 1964, in Lynchburg, Virginia, he began his career in stand-up comedy. In 1995, he was featured in HBO’s “Young Comedians” special, which also included appearances by Dave Chappelle and Louis C.K.