‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘Ganja & Hess’ star Marlene Clark dies at 85

Sanford & Son star Marlene Clark has passed away. Clark plays Janet Lawson, Lamont’s wife. She is 85 years old. In addition to the hit sitcom, she also starred in several films in the 60s and 70s.

Clark’s character Janet Lawson is a divorcee and mother whom Lamont meets in the episode titled “The Engaged Man Always Rings Twice” in season 5 when they start dating.

The two revisit their relationship in Season 6, when Janet’s ex-husband returns to try to rekindle their relationship. Lamont and Janet broke up when they decided to end their engagement, with Janet returning Lamont’s old engagement ring that Frad had given them as a gift. Janet appeared in six episodes of the series.

Other projects in which she appeared include Ganja & Hess, For Love of Ivy, Midnight Cowboy and Putney Swope.

Clark is married to Billy Dee Williams.

As Variety reports, starting in the 1980s, Clark opened his own clothing store on Melrose Avenue to showcase his love of fashion. She then managed Hal’s Bar and Grill in Venice Beach, where she worked for 15 years.