Norm Clarke, a well-known journalist renowned for his coverage of the Cincinnati Reds’ back-to-back World Series wins in the 1970s as an AP sports writer, and later as a popular entertainment columnist in Las Vegas, has passed away. He died at the age of 82 on Thursday in a Las Vegas hospice after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer, confirmed by his brother, Jeff Scheid.
Clarke was instantly recognizable for his iconic eye patch, which he wore due to losing his right eye in a childhood accident. He gained significant acclaim after launching his “Vegas Confidential” column in 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. There, he covered what he described as “the world’s greatest buffet of entertainment news” during a 2024 podcast interview with “Vegas Revealed” co-host Dayna Roselli.
Famous for his reports on celebrity escapades, Clarke nabbed scoops on notable incidents such as Britney Spears’ 55-hour Las Vegas marriage in 2004, Michael Jackson’s unexpected return to Vegas in 2006 after years in Europe, and Elton John’s on-stage meltdown. “Norm’s column was so popular he became a celebrity himself,” said Glenn Cook, the Executive Editor of the Review-Journal. “He was a gentleman. Readers loved him and often mentioned that Norm’s column was the first they read every day.”
In 2010, Forbes magazine profiled him, humorously dubbing Clarke the “sheriff” of the Sin City’s entertainment beat. His 2009 book “Sinsational Celebrity Tales” had notable endorsements from figures like Donald Trump and Playboy’s Hugh Hefner. After retiring in 2016, Clarke credited his AP background for nurturing his assertive style, which became a hit in Vegas.
Reflecting on his career, Clarke remarked how he wanted to be remembered as a reporter rather than a gossip columnist. He took pride in his time with the Associated Press. In 1973, leaving the Helena Independent Record, he joined AP in Cincinnati and began chronicling the ascent of the Big Red Machine to baseball glory in 1975-76.
His reporting covered pivotal events such as Pete Rose’s contract disputes and subsequent signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, even leading to an infamous confrontation when Rose slapped Clarke after an unflattering write-up. Despite this, Clarke shared that they ended on a reconciliatory note.
Clarke also spearheaded coverage of the disastrous 1977 Beverley Hills Supper Club fire in Kentucky, tirelessly relaying information to the point of exhaustion. “He was extraordinary, finding phones to dictate the story for 16 hours,” remembered Andy Lippman, a former AP bureau chief who fondly reminisced about Clarke’s dedication.
Post-Cincinnati, Clarke moved to San Diego with AP and was then dispatched to cover the tragic MGM Grand fire in 1980. Aiding in the coordination of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, he then transitioned to the Rocky Mountain News, where he thrived as a sports reporter, producing award-winning work on illegal sports betting and Denver’s entry into MLB.
Denny Dressman, Clarke’s colleague, and editor, praised his exceptional ability to coax stories from his subjects and recalled how Clarke’s memoir “Power of the Patch,” published recently, aims to be freely available in schools and libraries in significant locations throughout his career.
Beyond journalism, Clarke’s adventurous spirit led him twice to run with the bulls in Spain and endure a trampling by a bull in Mexico. He harbored an enduring love for sports, instilled by his late father, a major fan. A childhood injury that resulted in the loss of his right eye didn’t deter him from pursuing a passion for sports writing. He fondly remembered his early career moment of covering a basketball tournament as life-changing, realizing then the joy of turning a passion into a profession.
Survived by his siblings and wife Cara Roberts Clarke, to whom he was married in 2012, Clarke also leaves behind a poignant legacy as Marine Sgt. David Kreuter’s godfather. Clarke hoped to share copies of his memoir, “Power of the Patch,” free of charge to ignite inspiration in future journalists.
A memorial service to celebrate Clarke’s remarkable life and career will be scheduled at a later date, as per his brother Jeff Scheid.
