Clark was born in Norman, Oklahoma, the daughter of Ella (née Padberg) and Thomas Clark, a chef. She dated Jeff Bridges, whom she met on the set of Fat City, for several years. She was married to Marjoe Gortner from 1978-1979. She married Jeff Wald in 1987, and divorced him in 1988. As of 2007, she attends many hot rod shows, and enjoys gardening, collecting antiques, and trading memorabilia on eBay.