Jean Marie (Ingels) Clarke embarked on a multifaceted career, initially making a name for herself as a model, gracing the cover of New York magazine and serving as a TV commercial spokeswoman.
A natural flair for comedy led her to a commercial with renowned comedian Buddy Hackett, subsequently catching the attention of prominent production companies Screen Gems, MGM, and 20th Century Fox, all of which extended her contracts.
Throughout her television career, Jean developed a talent for comedy sketch artistry, becoming a regular on the popular game show Truth or Consequences, and collaborating with legendary figures such as Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Julie Andrews, and Danny Kaye. She also appeared in films alongside Elvis and Jerry Lewis.
Simultaneously, Jean's skills extended to the stage, earning rave reviews for her performance in Louis John Carlino's ensemble play "Telemachus Clay" and co-starring with John Milford in "Room Service". This was followed by a two-year stint in repertory theater, where she acted, directed, and began writing for both theater and film.
Jean's television career continued to flourish, with offers from staff work on "Capitol" and "Days of Our Lives" before being contracted by Aaron Spelling to serve as writer/story editor on "Hotel" and "Nightingales". Following the cancellation of both shows, she was slated for the staff of "Angels 88", although the network ultimately rejected the show, prompting Jean to return to her passion for long-form storytelling and fine art.
She showcased her paintings and sculptures in the Laguna Festival of Arts and Orange County Art & Jazz, subsequently presenting two one-woman shows in Los Angeles and participating in group exhibits throughout Southern California.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Jean is a produced playwright, journalist, and restaurant critic, with bylines in two publications and award-winning poetry to her credit. She is currently a novelist, with two published books and a short-story collection, and is working on a third novel.
