“The Blacklist” and “Kill Bill, Vol. 2” actor Clark Middleton is dead after contracting West Nile Virus, his wife announced. He was 63.
“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,” Elissa Middleton said in a statement. “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.”
Middleton appeared in more than 40 movies and TV shows, including recurring roles on “Law & Order” and the 2017 Showtime revival of “Twin Peaks.” Among his most recent roles, he played DMV boss Glen Carter on “The Blacklist,” appearing in 13 episodes opposite James Spader.
“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," “The Blacklist” writer Jon Bokenkamp said in a statement. "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.”
In film, Middleton worked with a variety of top directors, including Quentin Tarantino in “Kill Bill Vol. 2,” Ang Lee in “Taking Woodstock,” Robert Rodriguez in 2005′s “Sin City,” and Bong Joon Ho in “Snowpiercer.” He also appeared in the Oscar-winning “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” and the 2001 romance “Serendipity.”
He is survived by his wife Elissa, his brother Kirby Middleton and his mother Sue Perior.