'Days of Our Lives' Star John Clarke Dies at 88 from 'Complications of Pneumonia'

Photo: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

John Clarke— a celebrated actor best known for his decades-long portrayal of Mickey Horton onDays of Our Lives— has died. He was 88.

In an obituary obtained from a rep for his daughter,The O.C.actressMelinda Clarke, his family expresses their “deep sorrow” over Clarke’s death, explaining that he “had previously suffered a stroke in 2007 and has had declining health in the last few years.”

“He passed peacefully from complications of pneumonia,” the obituary shares.

Clarke was born on April 14, 1931, in South Bend, Indiana. As his father was in the military, he bounced around schools as a young man and settled for a time in Staunton, Virginia, where he attendedStaunton Military Academy. He also attended school in Claremont, California, and graduated from high school in Tokyo.

John Clarke as Mickey Horton onDays of Our Livesin the early 1990s.Gary Null/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Clarke received his bachelor of arts in theater from University of California, Los Angeles, and later served as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War — during which he also participated “as a member of the Air Force Varsitones: a touring troop entertaining military personnel throughout the United States,” his obituary reads.

Aside from his work on television, among Clarke’s notable film roles include those inIt’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World,Man Missing,Burma Patrol,The Satan BugandJudgement at Nuremburg. He performed on the stage in productions likeOklahoma!,Cat on a Hot Tin RoofandThe King and I.

After portraying Mickey Horton onDays of Our Livesfor 39 years (from 1965 until 2004), Clarke was awarded the Daytime Emmys lifetime achievement award. Hehad previously been nominated forthe 1979 Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding actor in a daytime drama series for the role.

Clarke also appeared on numerous other television series over the years in both guest- and co-starring roles, likeThe Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke,Petticoat Junction,Dr. Quinn Medicine WomanandMaverick.

John (L) and Melinda Clarke.Carolyn Contino/BEI/Shutterstock

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“Above all, family life was always most important to John and his wife Patty,” Clarke’s obituary reads. “John’s greater-than-life personality will leave a lasting impression on all his family and friends who love him.”

source: people.com