MovieChat Forums > Dragonslayer (1981) Discussion > Caitlin Clarke R.I.P.

Caitlin Clarke R.I.P.

posted 20 years ago by double_c
33 replies | jump to latest

As many of you may or may not know, Caitlin Clarke, who played Valerian in Dragonslayer, passed away on September 4, 2004 at the young age of 52 from ovarian cancer. Words rather fail me to describe the sense of loss I feel. I never had the honor to meet Ms. Clarke but like many fell in love with her performance as Valerian, which is easily her most famous role. She also played Simone the brunette hooker in Crocadile Dundee, two completely different roles in Penn and Teller Get Killed and several smaller roles in movies and TV. She was a fixture on and off Broadway and as her health declined she taught acting and did regional theater in her native Pennslyvania.
Rest in peace, Katherine Anne "Caitlin" Clarke. We remember you.
Elvis is DEAD

[–] xaos_wizard 19 years ago

*beep* hell. That's the pits. I had no idea either. Dragonslayer's on the tube today and I thought I'd come on here and refresh my memory as to who this beautiful young woman was and see what she might be doing now. It came as a shock and a great deal of sadness to find out that she died at such an early age. My condolences to her family and friends.

d.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] lovens2 19 years ago

enthusiast: As you know firsthand, cancer is a terrible disease. But dying from it is NOT natural.

...or is it peaceful.

Just like there's nothing natural about dying of war, wheither it be by bullets or hi-jacked airplanes.

I didn't know Caitlin Clarke personally and until I read this post, know that she had died. But as long as her films continue to be remembered, she'll never be forgotten.

R.I.P.

[–] shakes428isdead 19 years ago

I'm shocked by the news of Caitlin's death; I only wish I knew about it sooner.

Caitlin Clarke was my instructor for a college-level Introduction to Performance course. I was a very nervous and very lonely freshman at the University of Pittsburgh in 2001, and I signed up for the class on a whim. The result was an experience that shaped my entire college career (I've since graduated with a BA in English Lit. this past April).

Refusing to be called anything but 'Caitlin', she taught us how to better ourselves as actors and as people. Each class began and ended with breathing exercises. The group --consisting of 9 students and Caitlin-- formed a circle, and we would lie on the floor and relax our bodies and our minds. For a freshman such as myself, this kind of sincerity and care on her part was very much needed and appreciated.

As a teacher, she was always there for us. Some of my fondest memories of freshman year revolve around Caitlin and the manner in which she conducted her students. No desks, no tests, no "Be a tree" lecture --simply an empty room in the corner of an old building, and Caitlin talking to and interacting with our small group.

I recall many talks with Caitlin before the start of class. I arrived to the room about an hour early each week, and she'd sit on the floor with me to talk about books or films or anything we wanted at the time. It's difficult to recognize that beneath that joyous Caitlin to whom I enjoyed talking so much was hidden a person struggling with ovarian cancer.

My finest memory of Caitlin occurred towards the conclusion of the semester. Knowing that I adored the works of monologuist Eric Bogosian (a close friend of hers), Caitlin took me to see him when he came to Pittsburgh for his one-man show, "The Worst of Eric Bogosian." Not only did we sit in the first row, but we were able to visit Mr. Bogosian backstage. She drove me home in her car, shared acting stories with me, and it was the best night of my entire freshman year.

I add these comments to give a more personal view of Caitlin than the wonderful and obscenely underappreciated actress we've come to adore.

[–] ozymandias312 19 years ago

How I congratulate you on a wonderful and priceless experience.

I hope no one will be offended if I offer a prayer for the repose of her soul: May God be merciful and kind to her.

Ozymandias312

[–] double_c 19 years ago

Amen.

Elvis is DEAD

[–] baka_gaijin30 19 years ago

Wow, she's dead?

I can remember last seeing this film a few years ago, and was planning on buying it for my DVD collection. That's so sad.

[–] trashcanman-1 19 years ago

I just want to point out to Enthusiast that people in the military sign up knowing full well that they could die. I feel for them, yes. But they were ready to make that sacrifice. I don't believe the actress signed a paper saying there was a good chance she'd die young of cancer.

[–] phelim3 17 years ago

I only just found out about Caitlin Clarke, I love the movie DragonSlayer and I was sorry to hear about her passing away.

[–] orestes31 17 years ago

I can't believe she is gone! I watched 'Dragonslayer' for the first time in maybe a decade and then came on here and was kinda shocked she was gone and I had never heard about it until now.