‘School of Rock’ Drummer Kevin Clark Killed While Biking

Kevin Clark, known for his role as the drummer Freddy Jones in the hit movie School of Rock, died on May 26 after being struck by a driver while he was riding his bike.
Clark, 32, continued playing drums and performing in bands. He was also a music teacher at a local School of Rock location.
His co-star, Jack Black, expressed his condolences in an Instagram post.

Kevin Clark, 32, died on Wednesday, May 26 after being hit by a driver while riding his bike. Clark was known for his role as Freddy Jones, the drummer in the hit movie School of Rock.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Clark was struck around 1:20 a.m. on Wednesday along the 2600 block of North Western avenue in Avondale, Chicago. The driver of the Hyundai Sonata, a 20-year-old woman, was issued several citations. Clark was taken by paramedics to the Illinois Masonic Medical Center and pronounced dead at 2:04 a.m.

Clark continued to perform as a drummer after his appearance in School of Rock, playing in numerous bands, including Dreadwolf and Funk It Let’s Jam. His latest group, Jess Bess and the Intentions, had but recently formed; the band’s first live performance happened just last weekend in the North Shore, an area north of the city.

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“He loved music. He’s just a raw talent. He’s got a heart of gold,” his mother, Allison Clark, told the Chicago Sun-Times. “He told his bandmates just yesterday: You know, this is finally the life I want to live. And we’re going to make it. You’re my musical family—my family—and we’re all going to make it.”

In addition to performing music, Clark was an avid songwriter and taught kids at a local School of Rock location.

Clark was 12 when he landed the role in School of Rock—he had no previous acting experience, but plenty of musical talent. His mother told the Chicago Sun-Times that he started taking private drum lessons at 5 years old, and that he was also adept at the piano, guitar, and violin.

“Kevin is gone. Way too soon. Beautiful soul. So many great memories. Heartbroken. Sending love to his family and the whole School of Rock community,” his co-star Jack Black said in an Instagram post.

“You know, we’re all really in shock,” Allison Clark said. “He was just a 32-year-old kid. It doesn’t make sense. A lot of our jammer friends—mostly 65-plus—have lost their lives recently. So hopefully he’s up there jamming in the sky with them.”