For actor Clark Moore, growing up outdoors in South Texas and working on the family ranch was an unlikely starting point for a career in Hollywood.
“When you grow up in Laredo, you kind of get the sense that it’s a unique place, but you don’t understand just how unique it is until you leave,” he said. “I’ve been living in California now probably more than 20 years, but I still call Laredo home.”
He credits his time on the family ranch in South Laredo and travel with his family across the country with the sense of adventure and a fascination with movies that led him to pursue acting. “I wanted to do something with my life that allowed me to experience different jobs, different things,” Moore said.
He began exploring acting locally, participating in summer programs at Laredo Junior College and performing in productions of the Laredo Little Theatre.
Although he loved his hometown, Moore knew staying there would limit his opportunities. He studied film at the University of Texas at Austin before moving to Los Angeles, where he worked as a production assistant while taking acting classes and auditioning.
The early years were difficult. Film work involved long hours and low pay, and Moore eventually left production work to focus more directly on acting while supporting himself as a bartender.
“It’s incredibly hard,” he said. “Most people don’t realize how much work it takes just to get the opportunity.”
One of Moore’s first screen appearances came with the horror film Chill, in which he played the killer. Though small, the role marked his first appearance in a feature film.
Some years later, he was cast in the short film This Day Forward, directed by Academy Award winner Joachim Back.
Over time, Moore has over 65 credits in TV and film, including Yellowstone, SEAL Team, NCIS, S.W.A.T., and Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.
He emphasized that the industry remains unpredictable and highly competitive. “Even when things are going well, it’s not easy,” he said. “You still have to keep pushing forward.”
Moore attributes much of his persistence to a mindset he developed early in his career. Facing rejection and skepticism from others, he often used criticism as motivation. “I’ve had people tell me I would never make it,” he recalled. “My response was always the same: just watch.”
He also credits his coach Paul Duddridge as a key mentor. Duddridge helped him improve his performance and taught him the business side of the industry, guiding him on how to navigate and strengthen his auditions.
Moore continues to expand his screen presence. He recently appeared in the film Murder in Music City as Detective Moreno, and later this year, he will appear in Route 187, a crime drama in which he plays Lieutenant Jeff Gibson, as well as in Furious, a Hulu series. In the Lifetime movie Gaslit by My Husband: the Morgan Metzer Story, which is streaming on Netflix, Moore portrays Griffith Walker.
For Moore, success is not only about landing roles. He hopes his journey can inspire others from places like Laredo who may feel far removed from the entertainment industry. He encourages them to remain determined and go where the opportunities are. “You have to be willing to leave your comfort zone,” he said. “If you really want it, you just have to stick with it.”
He spoke of veteran actor Julia Vera, a former Laredoan who has often provided counsel to young actors from Laredo new to L.A. “There are many of us who have benefited from her kindness and encouragement,” he said.
Of his brother, Clark, Laredoan Monty Moore, said, “I admire his tenacity and his skills, and above all, his dedication to the arts. Our parents would have been very proud of his success.”
