‘Heartbroken’ Jack Black leads tributes to School of Rock star Kevin Clark after death

Jack Black has been left ‘heartbroken’ over the death of School of Rock star Kevin Clark.

Clark, who played young drummer Freddy Jones in the beloved movie, died aged 32 after being hit by a car.

Sharing a photo of himself and Clark in the film, and years later when they reunited, Jack, 51, who starred as Dewey Finn, wrote: ‘Devastating news.

‘Kevin is gone. Way too soon. Beautiful soul. So many great memories. Heartbroken. Sending love to his family and the whole School of Rock community.’

Miranda Cosgrove, 28, who played Summer in the film, shared sweet throwback photos of herself and Clark, writing on Instagram: ‘Stunned and saddened by this news today.

‘The world lost an amazing soul. I’ll always remember your spirit and how kind you were to me. I’ll never forget all the memories. You’ll always be missed Kevin.’

Rivkah Reyes, who played Katie, said Clark was their first friend on set.

‘We spoke yesterday about him being on an episode of where are we now. i know it would’ve been chaotic and hilarious and so full of love and hyping each other up because that’s how our friendship always has been,’ Rivkah, 28, said.

‘I’m absolutely heartbroken. kev was my first friend on set. we instantly connected over being jews from chicago. he introduced me to green day and was the catalyst for my pop punk phase (which hasn’t ended.) he was always supportive of me and my endeavors.

‘His family would often come to my comedy shows and plays, and every time tenacious D was in town, we would go together. we would sometimes run into each other randomly in chicago and he always gave me the biggest, warmest hugs.

‘I’m so sorry to his beautiful mom allison, his siblings nicole and cary, and to everyone who experienced his friendship and loving heart. i miss him so much.

‘I am so grateful that my fellow cast mates, including jables, have been able to support each other through this day. we are a strong, loving family. love you forever, spaz. 🤘🏼’.

Brian Falduto, 28, who played Billy in the film, wrote: ‘I can’t believe we lost a member of the family today. I’ve developed such a love & gratitude over the years for the once-in-a-lifetime experience that School of Rock was.

‘But what’s even more amazing is what it’s become over the years .. the reverberating impact it’s had in our lives & the lives of others. So much of that impact has to do with the once-in-a-lifetime combination of people that was part of that experience.

‘Those same people remain very much a part of my life to this day. We will miss you, Kevin. Thank you for finally forgiving me (in 2016) for making you wear spandex & heels. So, so much love to you, you wickedly talented & wonderfully kind man. 💔 #RIP’.

Zach Infante, who played Gordon, added: ‘#RIP My heart is broken tonight as our SOR family grieves the loss of our drummer and chief, Kevin Clark.

‘Please keep his mother and family in your thoughts and prayers. Kevin Was a wild child and who grew into a peaceful young man (yet still a rockstar) . The balance he taught me is immeasurable. I remember when we held each other and laughed about old times at the 10 year reunion.

‘Or when his easy going spirit balanced out my type A personality at our recent SOR family gathering. His death is a reminder to tell the people I love that I love them. To practice forgiveness. To express myself creatively. To stick it to the man. I love you Kev. #SchoolOfRock #KevinClark.’

Clark was riding his bicycle around Chicago on Wednesday morning when he was hit by a car, TMZ said.

The Cook County Medical Examiner told the website that he was taken to hospital after the incident and was pronounced dead at just after 2am.

In the 2003 comedy the star played drummer Freddy Jones, who was nicknamed ‘Spazzy McGee’. He was just 12 years old when he landed the role.

The film, directed by Richard Linklater, followed Black’s substitute teacher Dewey Finn as he tried to turn his class of uptight private school pupils into a rock group.

School of Rock would be Clark’s only acting role as he decided to focus on his first love of music.

Clark reunited with Black in 2018, 15 years after School of Rock was released in cinemas.

The star and his Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass went to see Clark’s own band Dreadwolf play in Chicago. A picture of Black and Gass cosying up to Clark and his bandmate was posted to the Dreadwolf Instagram account and Facebook page, with Black wearing a Dreadwolf T-shirt.

MORE : School of Rock star Kevin Clark – who played drummer Freddy – dead at 32 after being struck by a car