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.