‘The First Family of Film’ Documentary 2025 ©
Clark Credle was living out the legacy of his great-grandfather, William Beaudine, as an assistant director when he suffered a debilitating stroke on his 40th birthday in 2017. His life would never be the same.
Every time I see Clark, I remind him what a miracle he is,” states longtime friend Marc Adelman. “Most people would not have survived what he’s gone through, let alone be able to thrive and contribute and be a present father and husband.
“He is a living, breathing miracle,” echoes assistant director Sunday Stevens. Credle’s documentary, The First Family of Film, shares his personal story alongside that of his extraordinary heritage.
William Beaudine was one of the most prolific directors in early Hollywood cinema. Active from 1909 to 1967, reportedly the oldest active director in Hollywood at the time, Beaudine directed around 350 films and hundreds of television episodes. He was an assistant to director D.W. Griffith on The Birth of A Nation before accruing credits for projects like Sparrows, Billy the Kid Versus Dracula, and 79 episodes of the television series Lassie.
His son, William (Bill) Beaudine, Jr., was an assistant director and production manager known for several Lassie shows. For the Beaudines, Hollywood was a family business, each generation striving to keep the tradition alive. This legacy continues with the Credle family.
Gary Credle, who was then an assistant director, gained entry into the film business through the elder William Beaudine and subsequently worked alongside Beaudine Jr. before marrying his only daughter, Kathy Beaudine. Gary Credle worked as a production manager-line producer through the ’70s, followed by three decades at Warner Bros. He and Kathy had three sons: Matt, Beau, and Clark Credle.
While his brothers pursued camera operation, Clark Credle followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, becoming an assistant director. At the height of his career, he was involved in films such as Argo, American Sniper, Star Trek Into Darkness, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, and the TV show Shameless. The day before his life-altering incident, Credle told his wife, Katie, he had finally reached his career aspirations. After that night, however, everything changed.
“It’s kind of hard to go from being comfortable to not even being responsible for your own behavior,” Credle tells THR. After the stroke, he was unable to speak for a year and was confined to a wheelchair. No longer able to do the work he loved, he found himself isolated from his family, including his three young daughters.
Despite decades in the industry and a family legacy spanning four generations, Clark Credle’s film community has rallied around him in support of his recovery journey.
“No traumatic brain injury can stop Clark from being the man he is, namely a husband and father and a natural born storyteller,” says Colin Farrell, who met Credle while working on Saving Mr. Banks and is featured in the documentary alongside Jerry O’Connell. “He’s still chasing his dreams daily, his spirit undiminished.”
“Clark is one of the great ADs of our industry,” adds Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. “With his current documentary, I’ve personally watched him transform into a director and visionary who has not let his struggles hold him back.”
Clark Credle has made remarkable strides in his speech and mobility and possesses complete cognitive strength despite his traumatic brain injury.
In addition to visible struggles, Clark and Katie Credle face unspoken challenges. “It’s scary for some people because what happened to Clark could be a nightmare, something they don’t ever want to have happen to them,” Katie notes. “That’s intimidating for people,” Clark adds, “and being spoken down to sucks.”
Since the stroke, the family relocated to Colorado for optimal medical support, further distanced Clark from the film industry. However, he is eager to return to his beloved work, crafting a documentary that serves as a poignant tribute to his family—a project of which he is incredibly proud. “It’s a labor of love,” Clark shares about his documentary.
When asked if Hollywood still feels like family to him, Credle’s response is immediate: “Always.”
Clark Credle is planning his final trip to Los Angeles to complete The First Family of Film and intends to present the finished documentary to potential buyers at HBO, Showtime, Amazon, and Netflix.
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at Hollywood Reporter.
