Jack Clay

(born October 20, 1926 in Decatur, Illinois) is an American acting teacher, director and actor.

A graduate of the Northwestern University school of speech under Alvina Krause, Clay taught at Oberlin College (1956 - 1957), the University of Miami (1957 - 1961), and the University of South Florida (1961 - 1966). He also headed the Professional Actors Training Programs at Southern Methodist University (1966 - 1986) and the University of Washington

(1986 - 1991.) While in Dallas, He founded "Stage #1," a professional

acting company, and served as its artistic director for eight years.

Clay's teachers included Lee Strasberg, Martha Graham and Eric Hawkins. Among his best known students are Kathy Bates, Powers Boothe, Patricia Richardson, Stephen Tobolowsky, Beth Henley and Hugh O'Gorman (of Remember WENN).

Clay is also a distinguished member of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre.