Joe Clark Passed Away!

Joe Clark passed away.

The iconic New Jersey principal which inspired the Morgan Freeman movie Lean On Me passed away. 

Joe Louis Clark was an educator and principal of Eastside High School in Peterson, New Jersey. His aggressive approach to stopping gangs and drugs from infiltrating the school made him a hero in the city. The unconventional and controversial disciplinary measures got him in some serious heat with residents and the school board.

He passed away at the age of 88.

Clark was primarily a disciplinarian in nature, focused on encouraging school pride and good behavior, although many thought of him as an activist.

Clark would use a bullhorn and a bat to get tough on unruly students. He expelled over 300 students who were frequently tardy or absent fro school, sold or used drugs, or caused trouble in school. 

Clark’s no nonsense approach had improved the Eastside student scores.

Clark grew up in Newark and attended Central High School.

Morgan Freeman had portrayed Clark in Lean On Me.

Clark leaves behind three children. His son Joe J. Clark, Joetta Clark and Hazel Clark. 

Joetta and Hazel are retired athletic runners. 

Morgan Freeman who portrayed Clark in the 1980s movie won praise for his role. 

In the movie it included Freeman, Beverly Todd, Robert Guillaume, Lynne Thigpen, Michael Beach, Karen Malina White, Jermaine “Huggy Hopkins and Tony Todd.