Steve Gordon (director)

Steve Gordon
BornOctober 10, 1938
Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedNovember 27, 1982 (aged 44)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materOhio State University
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, film director

Steve Gordon (October 10, 1938 – November 27, 1982) was an American screenwriter and film director who wrote and directed the 1981 comedy Arthur, starring Dudley Moore. Gordon died in New York City on November 27, 1982, from a heart attack at the age of 44.[1][2][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, but his only work as a film director.[7][8] He had written only one previous feature film, The One and Only (1978), starring Henry Winkler, having spent several years writing for television.[9]

Early and personal life

Gordon was born in Chester, Pennsylvania[10] but was raised by his aunt and uncle in Ottawa Hills, Ohio, after his parents died.[11] Gordon grew up in a Jewish family[12] in the Toledo suburb of Ottawa Hills, Ohio,[13] and graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 1957.[11] Gordon then attended 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.[14] He never married.[15]

Death and legacy

According to Gordon's brother Dr. Michael Gordon, Gordon had been suffering from chest pains and had seen a doctor five days before his death.[4][13] Gordon's niece was with him at his New York City apartment when he suffered a fatal heart attack while eating lunch.[3][4][13] Steve Gordon was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo, Ohio.

In 1982, Dr. Michael Gordon created an annual scholarship for Ottawa Hills High School students in Gordon's name.[16][17] In 2010, Gordon was inducted into the Ottawa Hills Foundation's Community Hall of Fame.[18]

In 2020, Arthur received newfound attention when the film served as a pivotal plot element in comedian Tim Heidecker's On Cinema 7th Annual Oscar Special.

Filmography

References

  1. ^ Benson, Sheila (August 19, 1988). "Broads, booze brings boos". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  2. ^ Lenburg, Jeff (2001). Dudley Moore: An Informal Biography. iUniverse. ISBN 978-0595182688.
  3. ^ a b c Fraser, C. Gerald (November 30, 1982). "Steve Gordon, Screen Writer, 44". The New York Times. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c "Director of 'Arthur' dies at 44". Reading Eagle. November 29, 1982. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
  5. ^ Canby, Vincent (March 29, 1982). "All About the Oscars". Star-News. Wilmington, NC. p. 7B. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  6. ^ "Who will the winners be". The Ledger. Lakeland, Fla. March 29, 1982. p. 2C. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  7. ^ "Other Deaths". Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Fla. Associated Press. November 30, 1982. p. 13A. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  8. ^ Wilmington, Michael (July 2, 2000). ""Arthur" (Steve Gordon, 1981) at 1:45 p.m. on HBO..." Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  9. ^ Pollack, Dale (November 27, 1981). "'Arthur' success even surprised Joffe". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  10. ^ "Steve Gordon". IMDb. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Steve Gordon: Ottawa Hills Ex-Resident Wrote 'Arthur' Screenplay". The Blade. Toledo. November 29, 1982. p. 22. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  12. ^ Bloom, Nate (April 8, 2011). "Jewish Stars 4/18". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  13. ^ a b c "Obituaries". United Press International. November 30, 1982. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  14. ^ Lynn, Melda (February 2, 1976). "What's On? Who's Where?". The Blade. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  15. ^ Heimel, Cynthia (August 24, 1981). "If You Loved 'Arthur', You Ought to Meet Steve". New York. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  16. ^ "Scholarship Created Honoring Screenwriter, Television Director". The Blade. December 21, 1982. p. 21. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  17. ^ "Scholarship Set In Honor Of Screenwriter". The Blade. December 22, 1982. p. 21. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  18. ^ "Ottawa Hills inducts 5 from arts into its Community Hall of Fame". The Blade. November 16, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2015.