Stanley Clements

Stanley Clements was an American actor who is best known for his roles in the Bowery Boys film series, as well as several B movies during the 1940s and 1950s. Born on July 16, 1926, in Long Island, New York, he had a career spanning several decades until his passing on October 16, 1981.

Personal and Family Life

Stanley Clements, whose birth name was Stanislaw Klimowicz, was known by the nickname “Stash.” He was married twice; first to actress Gloria Grahame from 1945 to 1948, and later to Maria Walek from 1951 until their divorce in 1974. In 1964, Clements and Walek adopted her eight-year-old nephew, Sylvester, marking a significant event as he was the first child adopted from behind the Iron Curtain under a proxy adoption law.

Career

Stanley’s acting career began in his school days when he realized his passion for show business. He toured in vaudeville and later joined Edward Bowes’ Amateur Hour before signing a contract with 20th Century-Fox in 1941. Clements became popular as the replacement for Leo Gorcey in the Bowery Boys series, and he continued to work in supporting roles in both film and television until his health declined.

Death and Legacy

Stanley Clements passed away from emphysema on October 16, 1981, just eleven days after the death of his first wife, Gloria Grahame. His contributions to the film industry, especially as a member of the Bowery Boys, remain recognized and appreciated by fans of classic cinema.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Red Light 1949-09-30 Carlson Hotel Bellhop
Destination Murder 1950-06-09 Jackie Wales
Canon City 1948-06-30 New
Down in San Diego 1941-08-01 Louie Schwartz
Hot News 1953-10-11 Mark Miller
Mr. Soft Touch 1949-07-28 Yonzi
Mad at the World 1955-05-13 Marty aka Ignatz
Ghosts on the Loose 1943-07-30 Stash
Tall, Dark and Handsome 1941-01-24 Detroit Harry Morrison Jr.
A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed 1958-12-01 Fitz
Off Limits 1952-12-30 Bullets Bradley
Salty O’Rourke 1945-03-22 Johnny Cates
Variety Girl 1947-08-29 Stanley Clements (uncredited)
The Rocket Man 1954-04-01 Bob
Fighting Trouble 1956-09-16 Duke Covelske
In the Money 1958-02-16 Stanislaus ‘Duke’ Coveleskie
Johnny Holiday 1949-11-18 Eddie Duggan
Big Town Scandal 1948-05-27 Tommy Malone
Air Strike 1955-05-06 G. H. Alexander
Boots Malone 1952-01-11 Stash Clements
Accent on Love 1941-07-11 Patrick Henry Lombroso
Looking for Danger 1957-10-06 Stanislaus ‘Duke’ Coveleskie
Hot Shots 1956-12-23 Duke Coveleskie
Spook Chasers 1957-06-02 Stanislaus ‘Duke’ Covelesky
Hold That Hypnotist 1957-02-24 Duke Coveleskie
Robbers’ Roost 1955-05-30 Chuck
Saintly Sinners 1962-02-01 Slim
Bad Boy 1949-02-22 Bitsy Johnson
Cover Girl 1944-03-22 Elevator Boy (uncredited)
Wiretapper 1955-08-10 Tony
Hazard 1948-05-28 Joe, Bellboy
Up In Smoke 1957-12-22 Stanislaus ‘Duke’ Coveleskie
Sniper’s Ridge 1961-02-01 Cpl. Pumphrey
‘Neath Brooklyn Bridge 1942-11-20 Stash
The Girl in the Case 1944-04-20 Tuffy
White Lightning 1953-03-08 Mike Connors
Last of the Desperados 1955-10-31 Bert McGuire
Hot Lead & Cold Feet 1978-07-05 Saloon Man 2
On the Sunny Side