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(Gray News) – “American Gladiators” star Debbie Clark, who was known on the show as Storm, has died. She was 61.
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The franchise announced her death on Facebook Wednesday.
“We’re incredibly saddened to hear that former American Gladiators star Debbie Clark, known to millions of fans as Storm, has passed away aged 61,” the statement read.
She made her TV debut on “American Gladiators” in 1991 as the Gladiator Storm. The franchise said that Clark originally tried out to be a contender on the show but ended up impressing the production team and becoming a Gladiator instead.
“Why the name Storm? Because producers told her she had ‘blown them all away,’” the statement said.
Clark was particularly known for excelling in two events: Powerball and the Joust. Gladiators also said she would sing the national anthem during the “American Gladiators Live Tour.”
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Unfortunately, Clark suffered a serious ACL injury during the live tour and had to leave the show in 1993.
The franchise noted that Clark experienced “significant challenges in her personal life” after leaving the show. It appeared Clark experienced homelessness for some period of time. According to a report from the San Diego Union-Tribune, TV personality Sherri Shepherd offered to pay her rent for six months in 2011 after hearing about her story.
“She hoped to use her own experiences to help others facing difficult circumstances,” the “Gladiators” statement said.
The franchise said Clark is survived by her son Crayton. It appears he made a GoFundMe page to help raise money to give her a loving farewell.