Kevin Clark obit

'School of Rock' drummer Kevin Clark dies at 32; Jack Black, Miranda Cosgrove share tributes

 

He was not on the list.

Kevin Clark, who appeared in the 2003 film "School of Rock" with Jack Black, died in Chicago Wednesday after getting struck by a car while riding his bicycle. He was 32.

Clark suffered multiple blunt force injuries from the collision and was pronounced dead  at 2:04 a.m. at Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Natalia Derevyanny, the director of communications for the Cook County Bureau of Administration, confirmed to USA TODAY. His death was an accident, she added.

According to a statement provided to USA TODAY by Chicago Police Department Public Information Officer Anthony Spicuzza, an unnamed male, whom Derevyanny later identified as Clark, was struck by a Hyundai Sonata on the 2600 block of North Western. The driver, a 20-year-old female, was issued citations.

Clark was in critical condition before his transport to the hospital for treatment. The incident remains under investigation.

Clark appeared alongside stars Black and Miranda Cosgrove in "School of Rock" as student drummer Freddy Jones. It's his only acting credit listed on IMdB.

Black said he was "heartbroken" by the news.

"Devastating news. Kevin is gone. Way too soon. Beautiful soul. So many great memories," Black captioned a throwback picture with Clark on Instagram Wednesday, in addition to a more recent photo. "Sending love to his family and the whole School of Rock community."

Cosgrove posted a throwback photo of her and Clark on the "School of Rock" set on Instagram remembering him as an "amazing soul."

"Stunned and saddened by this news today," she wrote. "The world lost an amazing soul. I’ll always remember your spirit and how kind you were to me. I’ll never forget all the memories. You’ll always be missed Kevin."

Clark's mother Allison Clark told the Chicago Sun-Times that her son played in several bands. His latest group, Jess Bess and the Intentions, played its first live show Saturday.

“They were unbelievably fantastic, and they would’ve gone somewhere,” she said. “He’s just a raw talent. He’s got a heart of gold."

According to Allison, Clark had no acting experience prior to "School of Rock."

"He just kind of shined," she said. “He took it on right away, but he never really acted afterward."

Clark’s former roommate and bandmate Robbie Goldberg told the outlet that Clark "was motivated and loved to write songs."

"He loved to take the guitar off the wall and make a funny song," Goldberg added. "It was great working with Kevin."