The Unseen Heir: 5 Surprising Facts About John Clark Gable, The Son The 'King Of Hollywood' Never Met
The legacy of William Clark Gable, the legendary "King of Hollywood," is one of cinema's most enduring tales, yet the story of his only son, John Clark Gable, is far less known and continues to evolve in the present day. Born four months after the screen icon’s death, John Clark Gable has spent his entire life navigating the shadow of a father he never met, forging a unique path that has taken him far from the glamour of Tinseltown and into the high-octane world of professional sports.
As of late 2025, John Clark Gable is living a life defined by his own passions, most notably his career as a professional off-road racer, and a significant personal milestone: his recent marriage in 2020. This deep dive reveals the most current details of his life, his complex family tree, and the surprising way he has embraced his father's spirit outside of acting.
John Clark Gable: A Complete Biographical Profile
John Clark Gable’s life began under the most tragic and surreal circumstances, an heir to a cinematic throne whose father had already passed away. His biography is a tapestry woven with Hollywood royalty, family secrecy, and a determined pursuit of his own identity.
- Full Name: John Clark Gable
- Date of Birth: March 20, 1961
- Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California
- Father: William Clark Gable (d. November 16, 1960)
- Mother: Kathleen Gretchen "Kay" Williams Gable (Clark Gable’s fifth and final wife, a former actress)
- Siblings/Family: Half-Sister Judy Lewis (unacknowledged daughter of Clark Gable and Loretta Young, d. 2011), Stepbrother Bunker Spreckels (Kay Williams' son, a famous surfer)
- Spouse: Debra Crosier Hartsell Gable (m. September 5, 2020)
- Children: No living children or grandchildren. (Note: His son, Clark Gable III, from a previous relationship, passed away in 2019)
- Primary Careers: Professional Off-Road Car and Truck Racer, Actor, Businessman
The King’s Son Finds His Own Speed: Racing, Not Rhett Butler
Despite being the only acknowledged son of the man who played Rhett Butler in *Gone with the Wind*, John Clark Gable chose a life path far removed from the silver screen, finding his true calling in the dust and adrenaline of professional racing. This career choice is a fascinating echo of his father’s own interests.
A Passion for the Track, Not the Set
While John Clark Gable did pursue a brief career as an actor, his real passion lay in motorsports. He became a successful professional car and truck racer, a career that is currently the most prominent aspect of his public life. He has been involved in the racing world for several years, often competing in off-road events. The irony of this passion is not lost on him; his favorite movie featuring his father is *To Please a Lady* (1950), in which Clark Gable himself played a race car driver. This connection suggests a shared love for speed and competition that transcended the generations.
His racing endeavors, often under the banner of "Gable Racing," have given him a distinct identity outside the "Hollywood Royalty" label. This deliberate choice to forge his own trail is a key part of his personal story, allowing him to honor his father's adventurous spirit without trying to replicate his legendary acting career. The connection to fast cars is a deep one, as Clark Gable himself was known for his love of automobiles and even presented the Clark Gable Gold Cup at the famed Legion Ascot Speedway in the 1930s.
The 2020 Marriage and Current Life in Santa Fe
One of the most recent and significant updates in John Clark Gable’s life is his marriage to Debra Crosier Hartsell Gable on September 5, 2020. The couple’s union took place at a location with deep ties to the Gable family, adding a layer of historical romance to their modern life. Debra Hartsell Gable is an accomplished executive producer and visual storyteller, bringing her own creative background to the partnership. The couple currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, continuing to live a life somewhat removed from the intense spotlight of Los Angeles.
Their marriage is a testament to the enduring nature of the Gable family's connection to Hollywood history. The wedding itself was a quiet but meaningful event, symbolizing a new, stable chapter for the "King of Hollywood's" son, who had previously faced several personal challenges.
Untangling the Complex Gable Family Tree
To understand John Clark Gable's life is to understand the complex, often tragic, family history that surrounds the "King of Hollywood." The current narrative is shaped by two key figures: his half-sister and his deceased son.
The Secret Daughter: Judy Lewis
John Clark Gable has a half-sister, the late Judy Lewis (born Judith Young, 1935–2011), the biological daughter of Clark Gable and actress Loretta Young. Their relationship, conceived during the filming of *The Call of the Wild* (1935), was kept a secret for decades due to Young's staunch Catholicism and the need to protect both of their careers. Judy Lewis, who became a psychotherapist and an actress, was never publicly acknowledged by her father, Clark Gable, a painful reality she documented in her autobiography. While John Clark Gable was the only acknowledged child, Judy Lewis’s story remains a crucial, poignant part of the Gable legacy.
The Tragic Loss of Clark Gable III
In a profound tragedy, John Clark Gable’s son, Clark Gable III, passed away in 2019 at the age of 30. Clark Gable III had begun to follow the family's path into entertainment, notably as the host of the reality TV show *Cheaters*. His sudden death was a devastating blow to the family and brought renewed, somber attention to the enduring Gable name. John Clark Gable's daughter, Kayley Gable, is the only surviving grandchild of the original Clark Gable, carrying the famous name into the next generation.
The Stepbrother: Bunker Spreckels
A common confusion in the Gable family history is the status of Bunker Spreckels. Bunker was the son of Kay Williams from a previous marriage and therefore Clark Gable’s stepson, not his biological child. Bunker Spreckels was a famously wealthy and flamboyant surfer known for his revolutionary surfboard designs and an early, tragic death. He and John Clark Gable were stepbrothers, and Bunker's connection to the family adds another layer to the narrative of wealth, fame, and fast living that surrounded Clark Gable's final wife.
In conclusion, John Clark Gable, born after his father's final film, *The Misfits*, was released, has successfully carved out a life that honors the spirit of his father—the love of speed and adventure—while establishing his own identity. His current life, marked by his marriage to Debra Hartsell Gable and his career in professional car racing, proves that the Gable name is still making headlines, even if they are far removed from the golden era of the "King of Hollywood."
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