Director/Producer Clifford John Bole died peacefully at his home in Palm Desert, Calif., on the morning of February 15, 2014. Born in San Francisco, Calif., Cliff grew up in the San Fernando Valley, Calif., where he developed an early passion for the profession that would become his life's work, playing in the back lots of studios, and sneaking in with friends to watch productions in progress; a self-described "Set Rat." Cliff began his professional life as a script clerk, advancing to script supervisor and production supervisor assignments before breaking into directing. One of his first positions was script supervisor on McHale's Navy in 1964. Best known for his directing work on Star Trek, Cliff directed twenty-five episodes of the first blockbuster series, The Next Generation, seven of Deep Space Nine and ten of Voyager. The Bolians, a race of aliens introduced in The Next Generation episode "Conspiracy," were named for him. Television series in which Cliff served as a director include: Baywatch, Charlie's Angels, Fantasy Island, MacGyver, M.A.N.T.I.S., Matt Houston, Mission Impossible, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Spencer for Hire, Strike Force, The Six Million Dollar Man, The X Files, T.J. Hooker, and Vega$. In 2005, Cliff was recognized with a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, 255 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, Calif. After retiring to the Coachella Valley, Cliff continued to make creative contributions to key local projects. He recently completed a documentary entitled Cars Under the Stars showcasing the popular event, El Paseo Cruise Night. Cliff was a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild. He also was a member of Palm Desert Country Club. An avid pilot, boater, golfer and dirt bike rider, Cliff was a frequent participant in races hosted by Viewfinder MC, an off-road motorcycle club headquartered in Southern California that was originally organized by Hollywood stuntmen. He maintained strong ties with the stunt community, including close friendships with Ronnie Rondell, Roy Snuffy Harrison and the late Hal Needham. Cliff served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea. He graduated from Harvard Military School and briefly attended USC. Cliff is survived by his wife, Brenda; his daughter, Stacey Bole Harrison of Granite Bay, Calif.; his son, Curtis Robert Bole of Santa Monica, Calif.; and two grandsons, Connor and Cole. In accordance with his wishes, Cliff's ashes will be scattered at sea. The family suggests that friends wishing to honor his memory contribute to a cancer research organization of their choice or visit his star in Palm Springs. A celebration of life will be held later in the year. Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries.
