One trade report gave the cause as complications from pneumonia. Clark's family has not publicly confirmed a cause, and other accounts say none has been officially released.

O'Malley said he and Clark had spoken by phone about three weeks earlier. He remembered Clark as a "hilarious guy" and "unique," and said Clark was already famous in Boston in the mid-1990s, a fan favorite on the city's stand-up circuit. Clark's manager, Barry Katz, said he "will be missed for the joy, happiness, and love he brought to everyone." Comedian Nick Swardson called Clark one of his best friends. Greg Garcia, who created "Yes, Dear," said he spoke with Clark monthly and missed him, and recalled Clark's "insane sense of humor." Garcia also credited Clark with encouraging him when he started trying stand-up.

Clark was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1964 and studied at Emerson College in Boston. His screen work began in the early 1990s with guest roles and a part in the 1991 film "Dogfight." He then won a leading role in the NBC sitcom "Boston Common," which became his breakthrough around 1996. That year he also had a cameo opposite Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage in the film "The Rock." His other credits include "The Thing Called Love," "Ellen," "Soul Man," "Say Uncle," "My Uncle Rafael" and "West of Liberty."

Clark joined "Yes, Dear" in 2000. The series ran six seasons, ending in 2006, and he appeared in more than 120 episodes. In 2006 he also hosted the fourth season of "Last Comic Standing."

O'Malley said Clark "invested his money well and essentially retired" after "Yes, Dear" ended about 20 years ago.