Stuart Gordon
Stuart Alan Gordon (August 11, 1947 – March 24, 2020) was an American filmmaker, theatre director, screenwriter, and playwright.[3] Initially recognized for his provocative and frequently controversial work in experimental theatre, Gordon began directing films in 1985. Most of Gordon's cinematic output was in the horror genre, though he also ventured into science fiction and film noir.
For other people named Stuart Gordon, see Stuart Gordon (disambiguation).
Stuart Gordon
March 24, 2020 (aged 72)
- Film director
- theater director
- screenwriter
- playwright
- film producer
3[2]
Born in Chicago, Gordon became known for experimental and sometimes controversial live theater at the University of Wisconsin in the late 1960s. Moving back to Chicago, he founded and led the Organic Theater Company. In the early 1980s, Gordon went to California to pursue movie making.
Like his friend and fellow filmmaker Brian Yuzna, Gordon was a fan of H. P. Lovecraft and adapted several of the author's stories for the screen, including Re-Animator, From Beyond, and Dagon, as well as the Masters of Horror episode Dreams in the Witch-House. He turned to the work of Edgar Allan Poe on two occasions, directing The Pit and the Pendulum in 1991 and The Black Cat for the Masters of Horror series in 2007. Several of his films have gone on to become cult classics.
Early life and education[edit]
Stuart Alan Gordon was born on August 11, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Rosalie (Sabath), a high school English teacher, and Bernard Gordon, a cosmetics factory supervisor.[4][5] After graduating from Lane Technical High School, Gordon worked as a commercial artist apprentice prior to enrolling at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Unable to get into the film classes, he enrolled in an acting class and ended up majoring in theater. During this time, he founded his first theatre company, Screw Theater.[6]: 212
Career[edit]
Theatre[edit]
In late March 1968, Gordon produced The Game Show on the Play Circle stage of the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Wisconsin Union Theater. The play, intended to be an attack on apathy, locked the audience in the theater and seemingly humiliated, beat and raped them (audience plants were used). Every performance ended with the audience rioting and stopping the show.
Personal life and death[edit]
Gordon married Carolyn Purdy in 1968, and often cast her in his films, usually as ill-fated characters.[1] He was father of three daughters, Suzanna, Jillian, and Margaret.[16] He spent the latter half of his life in Los Angeles, residing in Valley Glen.[17] Gordon died in Van Nuys, Los Angeles on March 24, 2020, of multiple organ failure, aged 72.[17][4]
About Gordon
Written by Gordon