Debbie Clark, best known as “Storm” on “American Gladiators,” died from a cardiac arrest after her pacemaker malfunctioned at her Boston home on Monday, August 24. She was 61.
Her son Crayton told TMZ her pacemaker stopped working due to her overexerting herself. He said she passed away in his arms as they were waiting for the paramedics to arrive.
Clayton says paramedics tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate her. He was living in the same apartment complex as Clark so he could help take care of her.
Crayton has launched a GoFundMe to help raise money to spread her ashes with her mother.
“American Gladiators” posted the tragic news to its official Facebook account.
Clark joined “American Gladiators” after Tonya “Gold” Knight suffered an injury in 1991. Clark established herself as a star in the Powerball and Joust challenges.
She was a regular on the show until 1993, before a serious ACL injury forced her to retire.
The franchise notes that Clark faced “significant challenges in her personal life” after her time on the show ended.
She was homeless in 2011, and Sherri Shepherd stepped in and helped pay her rent for 6 months.