THE GORN | Interview with Bobby Clark

I recently had the pleasure to interview Hollywood stuntman Bobby Clark, known for playing THE GORN! Appearing in a single episode ("Arena" in 1966) the character is iconic and known to STAR TREK fans the world over. Bobby went on to play characters in three more Trek episodes: "Return of the Archons", "Mirror, Mirror" and "The Apple".
He's also performed as a stuntman in legendary cowboy series RAWHIDE, GUNSMOKE, and THE VIRGINIAN, as well as cult classics THE CAR and THE DRIVER. He even took part in zero-G tests for 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY!
Now retired, Bobby talks about his career and how he came to be cast in Star Trek. I sat down with him at his ranch in Santa Clarita, not too far from Vasquez Rocks, where the Gorn episode was filmed.

[@edgeof60]

What a legend. Love his collection of Gorn memorabilia. Putting on that lizard suit in 1965, how could he have imagined he'd be celebrated for it 55 years later?

[@swankles3877]

What a nice man, thank you Bobby 😊

[@Protokino]

Bobby Clark is the man.

[@tryscience]

What a great gentleman! Even as the Gorn, he said that he would be merciful and quick!

[@kenw.1112]

GORN WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS ON STAR TREK ! COOOOL GORN !!

[@gregoriopalofuego9808]

"I shall be merciful and quick."

[@DrewPicklesTheDark]

"The worst fight scene that ever was, but hey, everyone loved it." Sums it up great. I first saw it as a kid (in the 90s, so a rerun) and I thought it was it was so cool and amazing.

[@bfisch81]

Beyond cool!!!

[@lazyhazeldaisy9596]

William Shatner said when talking about the fight with the Gorn it was so hot out in the dessert when they made 'Arena' and he always felt sorry for Bobby in that Gorn suit he must of been roasting and he had to do some fighting, that was really interesting and I'm glad Bobby is getting some recognition and love from the fan's.🖖

[@Audiomarkj]

Sooooo grateful for you. More fans need to see this !!! Love 2 U !!!!

[@nobelapache3877]

Awesome sir thank you for everything I will try my best to get to one of these conventions you're at

[@robertswan6567]

Met him!

[@Protokino]

He's awesome!

[@jaykay6387]

The "Gorn" is my favorite Trek character, that ep is in my top 5 TOS ep's of all time, and yes, you did good! Thank you!

[@rubyhunternc]

Love the Gorn!

[@michaelsullivan1052]

Loved Gorn!

[@Raymar3d]

I'm a big fan of the Gorn! Always fun to hear Mr. Clark's behind the scenes stories! Thanks for doing this! :)

[@dblacktenn]

Only 1.3K views??? This was awesome. Thanks!!

[@jamesmartin9401]

LEGEND!

[@tjf7101]

As much as I love the show, I’ve never seen this guy. Thanks for this!

[@Protokino]

My pleasure, it was so great to meet and interview him!

[@jamesmurray8558]

The best Gorn, thank you cheers.

[@joshsuperduty1270]

Great 👍 interview with the Gorn , too bad Gorn was is in more Star Trek

[@11C1P]

That's some Gorn collection.

[@thisoldetruck278]

This was awesome!!!! Thank you so much for posting!!

[@JAMESLEVEE]

When the Gorn actually communicates with Kirk, the voice was Ted Cassidy.

[@dq405]

Thank you for posting this!

[@Protokino]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@jerrypolverino6025]

Great video

[@justinp4996]

The Gorn is awesome, great Video getting to learn more about the man inside the costume

[@mchurch3905]

The Gorn was good, the Horta was my favorite episode.

[@eyecomeinpeace2707]

What a sweet guy. The Gorn rules!

[@parkerottoackley6325]

😮 I like Gorn on the cob.😮 Pop Gorn , cream stile Gorn,

[@apphappy3796]

I always wanted to know who portayed the "THE GORN" on Star Trek TOS scifi tv series. 🖖🏻

[@Lophophorawilliamsii]

Gorn is one of the best Star Trek characters.

[@wooderdsaunders4640]

Was returned of the arckens the primer for the Purge series?

[@STho205]

If "The Apple" had been filmed in TNG or later series with all the retreads and surprise Easter eggs...the story would have the beautiful simple pacifists worshipping Vaal, but the crew would discover it was a farm planet for The Gorn....since Vaal looks like a Gorn god. Occasionally the inhabitants would be taken, slaughtered and eaten. An homage to "The Time Machine" and a familiar character surprise reveal common since 82 till today. However as it was, the story was better in that the Landru style computer introduced killing because the crew had destabilized the careful equation.

[@bfisch81]

Beyond cool!!!