# Petula Clark

> British singer and actress

**Wikidata**: [Q236212](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q236212)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petula_Clark)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/petula-clark

## Summary
Petula Clark is a British singer, actress, and songwriter whose professional career began in 1942 as a child actor. She is best known for her work in the pop music genre and her performance of the song "Downtown," written by Tony Hatch. Throughout her career, she has been affiliated with major record labels such as Columbia Records, Decca, and Pye Records, and has been recognized as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

## Biography
- **Born:** November 15, 1932
- **Nationality:** United Kingdom
- **Education:** [Not provided in source material]
- **Known for:** Singing, acting, songwriting, and the song "Downtown"
- **Employer(s):** Columbia Records, Decca, Pye Records
- **Field(s):** Music (Pop music), Film, Stage

## Contributions
Petula Clark's contributions to the entertainment industry span multiple disciplines, beginning with her start as a child actor in 1942. She transitioned into music, where she became a significant figure in the pop music genre. Her notable work includes the song "Downtown," which was written by Tony Hatch. She has also contributed to the catalogs of prominent record labels, including Columbia Records, Decca, and Pye Records, serving as a recording artist who helped define the sound of these labels during her tenure.

## FAQs
**What is Petula Clark most famous for?**
Petula Clark is most famous for her career as a British singer and actress, particularly for her hit song "Downtown" and her early start as a child actor in 1942.

**Which record labels has Petula Clark been associated with?**
She has been associated with several major labels, including Columbia Records (an American label owned by Sony), Decca (a British label owned by Universal Music Group), and Pye Records.

**What awards has Petula Clark received?**
Petula Clark has been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, a rank within the UK's honors system.

**When was Petula Clark born?**
She was born on November 15, 1932.

**What are some of Petula Clark's aliases?**
Petula Clark is also known by the names Sally Clark and Pet Clark.

## Why They Matter
Petula Clark matters for her longevity and versatility in the entertainment industry, successfully transitioning from a child actor to a recording artist with a career spanning decades. Her association with historically significant labels like Columbia and Decca places her among a roster of legendary artists. Her recognition as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire underscores her cultural impact and contribution to the arts in the United Kingdom.

## Notable For
- Beginning her professional career in 1942 as a child actor.
- Performing the notable song "Downtown," written by Tony Hatch.
- Holding the occupation of singer, actress, songwriter, stage actor, film actor, and recording artist.
- Being appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
- Recording for Columbia Records, Decca, and Pye Records.
- Being a citizen of the United Kingdom.
- Using the aliases Sally Clark and Pet Clark.

## Body

### Nationality and Background
Petula Clark is a citizen of the United Kingdom, an island country in north-west Europe consisting of the island of Great Britain and the northern part of the island of Ireland. The United Kingdom is a sovereign state and a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, currently led by King Charles III. The country's capital is London, and it has a population of approximately 67 million as of 2021. The UK is known for its high democracy ranking, very high Human Development Index (0.929 in 2021), and significant cultural influence in literature and music.

### Career Overview and Occupations
Clark's work period began in 1942. She has held various occupations throughout her career, establishing herself as a multifaceted entertainer. Her roles include:
*   **Child Actor:** Acting on stage or in motion pictures or television during her youth.
*   **Singer:** A person singing for a listening audience.
*   **Songwriter:** A person who writes the words or music to songs.
*   **Stage Actor:** An actor who performs live before an in-person audience.
*   **Film Actor:** An actor who appears in films.
*   **Recording Artist:** A musician who performs music for recordings.

### Musical Works and Genre
Petula Clark is active in the genre of **pop music**, a style of popular music that emerged around 1950. Her most recognized work is the song **"Downtown,"** which was written by Tony Hatch. This track is cited as her notable work and represents a significant contribution to her discography.

### Professional Affiliations: Record Labels
Throughout her career, Petula Clark has been connected to several influential record labels:

*   **Columbia Records:** An American record label owned by Sony, founded on January 15, 1889, by David M. Levy. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious music labels in the world. Columbia is known for a diverse roster of artists, including Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, Paul Simon, and Bob Dylan. The label was acquired by Sony Music Entertainment in 2008.
*   **Decca:** A British record label founded in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Decca is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, the world's largest music company. The label has a rich history and is known for signing notable artists such as David Bowie, Luciano Pavarotti, and Marianne Faithfull. Decca plays a pivotal role in the phonographic industry, marketing music recordings and videos globally.
*   **Pye Records:** A British record label founded in 1953.

### Recognition and Personal Details
In recognition of her contributions, Petula Clark has received the **Commander of the Order of the British Empire**, a rank of the Order of the British Empire. She maintains an official website at http://www.petulaclark.net/. Additionally, she is known by the aliases **Sally Clark** and **Pet Clark**.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. MusicBrainz
5. SNAC
6. Internet Broadway Database
7. filmportal.de
8. FemBio database
9. Roglo
10. Munzinger Personen
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
14. [Source](http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/newartist.htm)
15. CONOR.SI
16. [Source](https://www.silversurfers.com/culture/music-culture/the-very-best-of-petula-clark/)
17. BBC Things
18. SACEM repertory
19. [Source](https://iswcnet.cisac.org/)
20. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
21. Quora
22. The Movie Database
23. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
24. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
25. performing-arts.ch