Ryan Clark | |
---|---|
![]() Clark (in white cap) in 2008 | |
Born | Ryan James Clark 9 April 1983 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Occupation(s) | Actor Lifeguard |
Years active | 1991–present |
Spouse | Gina Brackenridge |
Children | 3 |
Ryan James Clark (born 9 April 1983) [1] is an Australian lifeguard and former television and film actor. He became known for his portrayal of Sam Marshall in Home and Away over the course of a decade, before becoming a Waverley Council lifeguard on Bondi Beach and featuring in Bondi Rescue .
Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, [1] Clark was raised in the Sydney beachside suburb of Bronte. [2] He was a member of Bronte Surf Club as a child. [2]
Clark is best known for his role as Sam Marshall in the soap opera Home and Away . He auditioned for the series and secured the role in 1991, shortly after joining an actors agency at the age of seven. [3] [4] Clark was surprised at having been cast, as he had never undertaken acting classes. He was only allowed to film three days a week, so he could continue to attend school. However, he was provided with a tutor on set so he could keep up with his schoolwork. [3]
Clark decided to leave the serial in 2000 in order to pursue a surfing career. He returned to the role in a guest capacity in 2001. [4] In 2005, Clark reprised the role alongside several past cast members to celebrate the serial's 4000th episode. [5] [6]
Clark appeared as Pete, an Australian surfer in the 2000 direct-to-video film Our Lips Are Sealed , featuring the Olsen Twins. [2] In 2003, he made a guest appearance in an episode of White Collar Blue , [7] and in 2008, he played a minor role in the Australian film The Black Balloon . [8] In May 2024 after more than a decade away from acting, Clark was named as part of the cast for feature film Kangaroo. [9]
In 2003, Clark began working as a Waverley Council lifeguard on Bondi Beach, [2] and since 2006, has featured in the factual television programme Bondi Rescue . As a lifeguard, he is better known by his nickname 'Whippet'. [10]
Year | Title | Role | Type |
---|---|---|---|
1991–2001, 2002, 2005 | Home and Away | Sam Marshall | TV soap opera, 615 episodes |
2003 | White Collar Blue | Michael Spencer | TV series, 1 episode |
2006–2021 | Bondi Rescue | Himself | Reality documentary series, 113 episodes |
2008 | Bondi Rescue Bali | Self (Ryan 'Whippet' Clark) | Reality documentary series, 7 episodes |
2020 | Freesurfer Series Two | Host | TV series, |
2022 | Surftag Championships 2022 | Host | TV special |
Year | Title | Role | Type |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | Our Lips Are Sealed | Pete | Film |
2008 | The Black Balloon | Dean | Feature film |
2013 | Beach Bum | Lifeguard | Short film |
2025 | Kangaroo | Lifeguard Jacko | Film |
Clark married wife Gina Brackenridge on 1 September 2012 and together they have three children. [11] [12]
Guest cast: [...] Ryan Clark as Michael Spencer...