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Clayton made his stage debut as Papa Easter Bunny in 2nd grade at P.S. 26 in the Bronx. Since then, he has built a professional career spanning over 50 years as a performer, mime, actor, director, producer, writer, and acting teacher, with more than 400 credits across theatre, film, episodic television, and commercials.
On television, he starred as Roger Barrow in the first season of HBO’s 1st and Ten, the network’s first scripted half-hour comedy. He held recurring roles on ten other series, including three seasons as attorney James Westmont on Knots Landing and a year as the villainous Gregory on Days of Our Lives. Other multi-episode appearances include Dynasty, Walker, Texas Ranger, Without a Trace, and Stargate: Atlantis. More recently, he recurred for two seasons on If Loving You Is Wrong. He starred in the CBS pilot Used Cars and guest-starred in the pilot SNOOPS. Among his favorite guest roles are appearances on Becker, Designing Women, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and JAG.
Clayton humorously describes his film career as spanning from A to Z—from Assault of The Killer Bimbos to Zombie Strippers—with over 40 films and TV movies to his name. Notable titles include Norma Rae, Fatal Beauty, Pump Up the Volume, and The Great Lillian Hall. His work has been featured at major film festivals including Cannes (She's So Lovely), Sundance (Shadow Hours), and Venice (The Reluctant Fundamentalist). Norma Rae, his first feature film, was inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 2011. Interestingly, more viewers have likely seen him in the iconic role of being sucked down the drain in The Blob than in any other part.
He has performed in over 40 theatrical productions across New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Dallas. His portrayal of Luther Adler in the acclaimed play Names at the Matrix Theater in Los Angeles earned him a Drama-Logue Award, an LA Weekly Award, a Maddy, a Garland Award, and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nomination. He reprised this role Off-Broadway the following season. Additionally, he received a Suzi Bass Award nomination for his performance in Indecent at Theatrical Outfit. Clayton also earned a Drama-Logue Award as producer of the multi-award-winning Andrea's Got Two Boyfriends. He was a co-founder or founding member of the Los Angeles Theatre Unit, Mime Atlanta and the Atlanta Mime Festival, Peachtree Walk Theatre, and the Atlanta Actors Cooperative.
His CD Clayton & The Five Classics, featuring Doo Wop favorites, along with the single Love Potion #9, are available on international streaming platforms.
Clayton holds a BA in Drama from the University of Houston, studied for a year with Darryl Hickman, and took master classes with Stella Adler and Marlon Brando.
He teaches Scene Study For The Working Actor and Get Out of Your Head at the Alliance Theatre.
Clayton serves as the SAG-AFTRA National Board member representing the Atlanta Local. He spearheaded the creation of the Muriel Moore/Danny Nelson SAG-AFTRA Conservatory and chaired it for seven years. He has served five terms on the Atlanta Local SAG-AFTRA Board in various capacities including President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Member-at-Large. For his efforts toward the SAG-AFTRA merger, he was honored with an honorary Union number.
He is happily married to Leslie Landey, a world-ranked and record-holding Masters swimmer.
