Tobias Core and Clark Middleton are two different people. The duo, however, have a few things in common that make many think they are one and the same. First is that they are Americans working in Hollywood, second is that they both played a part on The Blacklist; one behind the scenes and the other as an actor, third is that they have both passed away. Middleton died in 2020, while Core passed away in 2021.
Who was Tobias Core?
Fondly referred to as Toby, Tobias S. Core was a production assistant who worked in Hollywood for many decades until his passing. He was born on 18 January 1973 and died on 9 March 2021.
Core is an American of Caucasian ethnicity. Details of his educational background are not public knowledge but it is known that he learned carpentry later in life and used those skills to gain entry into the movie business as a production assistant. Toby has gone on to work on the sets of various projects, including blockbuster movies like John Wick, The Amazing Spiderman, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles among many others.
He was a Dedicated Crew Member of the Blacklist
Tobias Core brought his talents to the set of The Blacklist where he was identified explicitly as a carpenter. Many have confused the definition of his role in the TV series to mean that he appeared on screen but that was not the case as he was only a member of the production crew.
Core was part of the show in 2013 when it premiered. He was there when it won a Primetime Emmy Award and received nominations for two Golden Globe Awards. His time on the show eventually came to an end in 2018 when he moved on to other things.
Tobias Core Received a Tribute on The Blacklist After He Died in 2021
Tobias was a part of The Blacklist from the beginning and so everyone ever associated with the show knew who he was. He was also a jolly good fellow who got along with everybody. It was therefore a shock to everyone when it was announced that he had passed away. It did not matter that he was no longer a part of The Blacklist at the time as his death still had an effect on everyone.
In honor of the work he had done on the show for over five years, producers of The Blacklist dedicated an episode to him. They put a tribute at the end of the twelfth episode of season 8. The cause of Tobias Core’s death is not known, but he passed away in Brooklyn, New York.
Who was Clark Middleton?
Clark Middleton was an American actor born on April 13, 1957, and died on October 4, 2020. As you can see from his date of birth and death, he is not the same person as Tobias Core.
Middleton hailed from Bristol, Tennessee. He suffered from rheumatoid arthritis as a child and didn’t develop well physically. He has had well-documented issues with his neck which doesn’t move and has one arm longer than the other. These challenges, however, didn’t stop him from achieving his dream of becoming an actor. He took acting classes in Los Angeles and New York before making his debut in 1983.
His Most Notable Role was in The Blacklist
While Clark made his acting debut in 1983, work didn’t come by as often as he hoped. At times he would go for years without landing a gig while those that came were part bit roles.
The Blacklist where he was cast to play Glen Carter is regarded as his most well-known role. His role was that of a grumpy DMV official who moonlights as a tracker for protagonist Raymond Reddington. Middleton appeared in numerous episodes of the show before his character was written out in the middle of the eighth season.
What Happened To Clark Middleton?
Clark Middleton died after suffering complications of the West Nile Virus. He died in Los Angeles on the 4th of October 2020, aged 63.
News of Middleton’s death devastated those who knew him, including those he worked with on the Blacklist. We are sure he would have continued to appear on the show until the end if not for his death. Producers were left with no option but to tie up his storyline and kill his character, saying he had died of the same disease that killed him in real life.
They also paid him a fitting tribute by dedicating the sixth episode of season eight to his memory. The episode aired in the second week of February 2021.
How Did Clark Middleton Die?
Clark Middleton died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was admitted to the hospital with the West Nile Virus which is transmitted through mosquito bites from the Culex species.
West Nile Virus can cause encephalitis or meningitis with associated neck stiffness, confusion, or seizures. It is noted to be very deadly to people with other conditions and older than 60 years. Middleton was 63 when he contracted the virus and seeing his long-time battle with several diseases and ailments in the past, he stood no chance against the virus.
How and Where Did Clark Middleton Get West Nile Virus?
It is most likely that Clark Middleton contracted West Nile Virus in the backyard of his own L.A. home. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, the actor didn’t move around much in a bid to protect his immune system. He took to teaching online classes. He also spent a good deal of time reading in his backyard. He was likely beaten by an infected mosquito on one occasion while reading.
How Long Did Clark Middleton Have West Nile Virus?
It’s not clear how long Clark Middleton had the West Nile Virus but he was sick for about two weeks before he died. He was hospitalized after getting a fever but nothing changed even when medical professionals got involved and so he passed away.
Middleton was survived by his wife, Elissa Middleton, his mother, Sue Perior, and a brother, Kirby. He was praised for promoting the cause of those with rheumatoid arthritis.