Sam Marshall

Sam Marshall (previously Nicholls) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by former actor Ryan Clark. He made his first on screen appearance on 3 April 1991. Sam remained in Home and Away until 2001. He later returned for brief stints in 2002 and 2005.

Shortly after joining an actors agency when he was seven years old, Clark was sent to audition for Home and Away, and he secured the role of Sam in 1991. Clark admitted to being surprised at being cast, saying "I hadn't had any acting lessons, so I was shocked when they phoned up to say I had got the part." He was only allowed to film Home and Away for three days a week, so he could attend school during the remaining days. Clark was provided with a tutor on set so he could keep up with his schoolwork. In 1996, Clark broke his ankle while playing rugby and was forced to use crutches for six weeks. He returned to filming straight away and producers decided to write his ailment into the scripts; this results in Sam breaking his ankle while playing football.

Clark decided to leave the serial in 2000 in order to pursue a surfing career. He returned to the role in 2001. In 2005, Clark reprised the role alongside several past cast members to celebrate the serial's 4000th episode.

Sam was introduced into the serial as a foster child of Bobby Simpson (Nicolle Dickson). His father, Greg Marshall (Ross Newton) is later introduced into the series and goes onto marry Bobby. However, Bobby dies in a boating accident and Greg abandons him. Sam is subsequently fostered by Pippa (Debra Lawrance) and Michael Ross (Dennis Coard). Sam features in the serial's 1996 "disaster" storyline in which a storm passes through Summer Bay. Sam is washed into a river and Michael dies after attempting to save him. A columnist for MSN online described the character's tenure stating that "with basically everyone parental in his life either dying or skipping town, Sam was moved between families like a young pass-the-parcel."