**Richard Masur** is an American actor born in 1948, known for his long film career, distinguishing himself as a solid character actor.

Among his most memorable roles is that of Clark in John Carpenter's **The Thing** (1982), a classic sci-fi horror film in which he plays a character crucial to the narrative tension.

He also starred in Risky Business (1983) alongside Tom Cruise, Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate (1980), and Mask (1985)..

Masur is often cast as ordinary, intelligent, sometimes anxious characters, or those teetering between normality and eccentricity. His versatility and ability to bring credibility to his roles have made him a reliable and respected presence in American cinema for decades.