“Sanford & Son” actress Marlene Clarke, who starred in several films in the 1970s, has died at the age of 85.

Clarke’s friend, Tamara Lynch, announced the death of the actress, revealing that she died at her home in Los Angeles on May 18.

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At the moment, the cause of death has not been revealed.

“For 15 years, she oversaw a vibrant restaurant scene where underground artists mingled with locals and movie and television stars,” Lynch said.

“She had a vision for culinary excellence combined with dynamic, professional service, and she developed a blueprint for the glamorous Los Angeles restaurant scene, brilliantly shaped by her discerning eye.

“Marlene’s style was impeccable. She loved fashion, food and acting. Her big, full-throated laugh that could fill a room will be missed. She leaves behind friends and family who will be forever grateful for her grace, love and beautiful heart. Marlene was one of the best examples of black beauty.”

Clark died on the same day as NFL legend Jim Brown, with whom she co-starred in the 1972 film Slaughter.

“RIP beautiful actress Marlene Clarke… It was a pleasure working with you…” tweeted Demand Wilson who played Lamont Sanford.

Clarke played Janet Lawson in the series, who was Lamont’s fiancee.

She also appeared in Roger Corman’s Night of the Cobra Woman in 1972 and played a suspected werewolf in the British horror film The Beast Must Die.

Clarke captivated audiences playing a widow-turned-vampire in the 1973 film Ganja and Hess.

“There are so many levels to her personality,” Clarke said of her character Ganja, who becomes an immortal creature of the night vampire Dr. Hess Green, played by Dwayne Jones.

“She’s such a bundle of contradictions. It was very rewarding to play that role.”

The Hollywood Reporter gave her date of birth as December 19, 1937, but other sources say she was born in 1949, making her 73 years old at the time of her death.

She attended Morristown Junior College in Tennessee before attending City College in New York.

Clarke modeled for her film debut, For the Love of Ivy, in 1968, starring Sidney Poitier.

Director Bill Gunn hired Clarke for his directorial debut Stop, but it was given an X rating and was not seen by the public for years.

“Most of the movies I’ve been in didn’t come out when they were supposed to come out, or didn’t come out at all — and if the movies weren’t going to be released, the studios weren’t going to do anything to promote them,” Clarke said.

“That way, you miss out on all that advertising that could lead to other jobs.”

However, she continued to work in television, appearing in episodes of Bonanza, Mod Squad, The Rookies, Barnaby Jones, Highways to Heaven and Head of the Class before retiring from acting in the late 1980s.

During her acting career, Clarke opened her own clothing store on Melrose Avenue and became the manager of Hal’s Bar & Grill in Venice Beach.

From 1968 to 1971, Clarke was married to Billy Dee Williams, best known for his role as Land Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise.

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