Danny Lee Clark Danny Lee " Nitro " Clark ( born May 21 ) is an American athlete , television personality , author , actor , and producer . He is best known for his role as gladiator Nitro on the TV show " American Gladiators " . He is also a health and fitness expert and the creator of the " Gladiator Rock ' n Run " . Biography . Clark began his career as an athlete , playing football for San Jose State University where he was a standout defensive lineman . He then went on to play briefly for the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL , and in the Professional European League . Clark , a health and fitness expert , is best known from the game show " American Gladiators " , having worked on both the original version and the revival ; from 1989 – 92 , and again in 1994 - 95 , he was the gladiator Nitro ; during the original show ' s final season , he was the analyst and co - host for the show . In the 2008 revival , he is the coordinating producer for the show . The original series aired in over 40 countries , with reruns on USA Network , TNT , Spike , and airs currently ESPN Classic . The revival aired on NBC . When " American Gladiators " returned to the U . S . airwaves on ESPN Classic on April 1 , 2007 , the network aired a marathon of episodes . Clark was the on - air host for that marathon , telling behind - the - scenes stories and trivia about the series in between the episodes . Clark also conducted an ESPN chat session related with the show , where he announced that MGM was in consideration of a revival of the show , which began taping in November 2007 for 2008 broadcast . After " American Gladiators " , Clark turned to acting , appearing in such motion pictures as " Death Becomes Her " , with Meryl Streep , Bruce Willis , and Goldie Hawn ; and " Equilibrium " , with Christian Bale . He has also guest starred in TV series including " Ellen " , " Walker , Texas Ranger " , California Dreams , " V . I . P . " , " Married … with Children " , " Who ' s the Boss ? " , " Saved by the Bell " , and " The Brothers García " . He also did voice acting in " " . Clark was the writer / director / producer of the independent film " Looking for Bruce " . He has also written several screenplays for various studios , producers , and production companies , including a bio - pic " Battle of Harlem " , about the first African American police officer in the NYPD . Dan wrote his memoir " Gladiator : A True Story of ' Roids , Rage , and Redemption " for Simon and Schuster . Published in February 2009 . Clark has appeared on a variety of talk show s including : " The Tonight Show " , " Good Morning America " , " CBS Morning News " , " Today " , " The Ticket " , and " Live with Regis and Kathy Lee " . He has also graced the cover of " TV Guide " and numerous other magazines . Clark enjoys all sport s , yoga , acting , writing and martial arts ( he has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do ) and is often called on to perform his own stunts . Since 2002 he has also been a mentor in the Young Story Tellers program which is dedicated to increasing literacy among inner city youths . Clark makes his home in the Hollywood Hills and can often be found walking his Labrador Retriever , Ella , at nearby Runyon Canyon Park . Dan is the creator of the " Gladiator Rock ' n Run . " One of the top obstacle adventure runs in America that challenges participants to test the skills over a 5k to 10k course . They publicize it as the " Most Insane Day of your Life " and have amazing venues across the nation like the Rose Bowl in Pasadena . It benefits Talk About Curing Autism and has raised hundreds of thousand of dollars for the cause . Clark was a contestant featured in the bull riding reality show , " Ty Murray ’ s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge " , which premiered in August 2007 on CMT . Dan is also the founder of " " Ten Thousand Pounds " " , a program that tackles the epidemic of childhood obesity through education , motivating , and empowering Americas Youth .