Joe Clark

Joe Clark might not be a regular TV or film personality, but he sure did have a handful of supporters and detractors. He was the former principal of the Eastside High School in New Jersey. Clark gained the public’s attention due to his unconventional and disciplinarian method of leading and guiding high school students. As such, his biopic was portrayed by Morgan Freeman in the 1989 movie, Lean on Me.

Clark was a former drill instructor in the US Army Reserve and earned his master’s degree at the Seton Hall University. He then pursued a career in education and became the principal of Eastside High School. During his term in Eastside High School, Clark was viewed as a disciplinarian who believed in tough love to reform difficult students. He earned his signature reputation by carrying a baseball bat or a bullhorn to scare off hardheaded students. As such, Clark had expelled about 300 troubled students. Although his efforts resulted in the school’s high average score, many opposed his methods as it was unideal and in contrast to what an educator should be. In December 2020, Clark passed away several years after retirement.