Veteran character actor Matt Clark, best known as Chester the bartender in Back to the Future Part III and for decades of work in Westerns and television, has died at 89. His passing marks the end of a five-decade career that left small but memorable marks on many classic films and TV shows.

What happened

Clark died Sunday at his home in Austin, Texas from complications following back surgery, his wife Sharon Mays confirmed to outlets. The actor was 89.

Who he was and why he mattered

Clark carved out a long career as a reliable character actor, appearing in more than fifty feature films and dozens of television episodes from the late 1950s into the 2010s. He is widely remembered for playing Chester, the gruff bartender in Back to the Future Part III, and for a string of parts in Westerns — the genre he returned to throughout his life.

His obituary and statements from family and collaborators highlight a talent who often stood out in supporting roles. Director Gary Rosen called him “the utterly unique character player who made every scene he appeared in memorable,” and pointed to Clark’s work in films such as In the Heat of the Night, Jeremiah Johnson, The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Cowboys and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.

Career highlights and final roles

  • Best known film role: Chester in Back to the Future Part III.
  • Television: recurring and guest roles on shows including Grace Under Fire, The Jeff Foxworthy Show and Little House on the Prairie.
  • Western pedigree: credited with more than thirty Westerns across his filmography.
  • Final screen appearance: A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), described by family as “a fitting farewell to the genre he had inhabited for most of his career.”

Family and industry response

Clark’s daughter Aimee and wife Sharon shared news of his death with friends and media. Family statements quoted by outlets called him an “actor’s actor” who was less concerned with fame than with working with good people. The family also said he felt “lucky” in his career and “died the way he lived, on his terms.”

Director Gary Rosen’s tribute emphasized Clark’s ability to elevate scenes and films, noting that he often held his own opposite major stars. At the time of his death he is survived by his wife Sharon Mays and his daughter Aimee.

What’s next

The family has not released public details about memorial plans. For fans of classic American cinema and TV, Clark’s death is a reminder of the understated performers whose small roles helped shape memorable moments on screen.

Expect tributes and social-media memories from colleagues and viewers who recall his many appearances in Westerns and popular television series. His body of work—including character turns in well-known films and a steady TV presence—remains available for viewers who want to revisit his performances.