Steve Gordon (director)

Steve Gordon
Born 1938
Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died November 27, 1982 (aged 44)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality American
Alma mater Ohio State University
Occupation Screenwriter, film director

Steve Gordon (1938 – November 27, 1982) was an American screenwriter and film director who is best known for writing and directing the 1981 comedy Arthur, starring Dudley Moore. Gordon died in New York City on November 27, 1982, from a heart attack.[1][2][3] He was 44 years old.[3][4]

Gordon was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Arthur.[5][6] The film not only marked his directorial debut,[7] but his only work as a film director.[8] He had written only one previous feature film, The One and Only (1978), starring Henry Winkler, after having spent several years writing for television.[9]

Early and personal life

Gordon had a brother, Dr. Michael Gordon.[10] They were raised by their aunt and uncle after their parents died in Pennsylvania.[11] Gordon grew up in the Toledo suburb of Ottawa Hills, Ohio,[12] and graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 1957.[11] Gordon then attended the Ohio State University, where he majored in political science and history; he graduated in 1961.[3] Gordon had resided in New York City since his graduation from Ohio State.[13] He never married.[14]

Death and legacy

According to his brother, Gordon had been suffering from chest pains and had visited the doctor five days before his death.[4][12] Gordon's niece was eating lunch with him at his New York City apartment when he suffered a fatal heart attack.[3][4][12]

In December 1982 an annual scholarship for Ottawa Hills High School was created in Gordon's name.[15][16] In 2010 he was one of five people inducted into the Ottawa Hills Foundation's Community Hall of Fame.[17]

Filmography

References

  1. Benson, Sheila (19 August 1988). "Broads, booze brings boos". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  2. Lenburg, Jeff (2001). Dudley Moore: An Informal Biography. iUniverse. ISBN 9780595182688.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Fraser, C. Gerald (1982-11-30). "Steve Gordon, Screen Writer, 44". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  4. 1 2 3 "Director of 'Arthur' dies at 44". Reading Eagle. 1982-11-29. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  5. Canby, Vincent (29 March 1982). "All About the Oscars". Star-News. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  6. "Who will the winners be". The Ledger. 29 March 1982. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  7. "Other Deaths". Evening Independent. 30 November 1982. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  8. Wilmington, Michael (2 July 2000). ""Arthur" (Steve Gordon, 1981) at 1:45 p.m. on HBO...". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  9. Pollack, Dale (27 November 1981). "'Arthur' success even surprised Joffe". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  10. Levy, Shirley (24 April 1983). "Five Homes Featured on Ottawa Hills...". The Blade. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Steve Gordon: Ottawa Hills Ex-Resident Wrote 'Arthur' Screenplay". The Blade. 29 November 1982. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 "Obituaries". United Press International. 30 November 1982. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  13. Lynn, Melda (2 February 1976). "What's On? Who's Where?". The Blade. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  14. Heimel, Cynthia (24 August 1981). "If You Loved 'Arthur', You Ought to Meet Steve". New York. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  15. "Scholarship Created Honoring Screenwriter, Television Director". The Blade. 21 December 1982. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  16. "Scholarship Set In Honor Of Screenwriter". The Blade. 22 December 1982. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  17. "Ottawa Hills inducts 5 from arts into its Community Hall of Fame". The Blade. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
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