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{{short description|American film and theatrical actor (1937–1993)}}
{{other people}}
{{other people}}
{{short description|American actor}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Richard Jordan
| name = Richard Jordan
| image = Richard Jordan 1981.JPG
| image = Richard Jordan 1981.JPG
| caption = Jordan in 1981
| caption = Jordan in 1981
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| birth_name = Robert Anson Jordan Jr.<ref name="fullname">[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE5D71730F932A3575AC0A965958260 "Richard Jordan, Actor, Director, Producer and Writer, 56, Is Dead"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. September 1, 1993.</ref>
| birth_name = Robert Anson Jordan Jr.<ref name="fullname">{{Cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/01/obituaries/richard-jordan-actor-director-producer-and-writer-56-is-dead.html |title= Richard Jordan, Actor, Director, Producer and Writer, 56, Is Dead |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |date= September 1, 1993|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091127232736/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/01/obituaries/richard-jordan-actor-director-producer-and-writer-56-is-dead.html|url-status=dead |archive-date= November 27, 2009 }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1937|07|19}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1937|07|19}}
| birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
Line 20: Line 21:
}}
}}
| children = 2
| children = 2
| relatives = [[Learned Hand]] (grandfather)}}
| relatives = {{ubl|[[Learned Hand]] (grandfather)|[[Newbold Morris]] (stepfather)}}
}}

'''Robert Anson Jordan Jr.'''<ref name="fullname"/> (July 19, 1937 – August 30, 1993) was an American stage, screen, and television actor. A long-time member of the [[New York Shakespeare Festival]], he performed in many [[Off Broadway]] and Broadway plays. His films include ''[[Logan's Run (1976 film)|Logan's Run]]'', ''[[Les Misérables (1978 film)|Les Misérables]]'', ''[[Old Boyfriends]]'', ''[[Raise the Titanic (film)|Raise the Titanic]]'', ''[[The Friends of Eddie Coyle]]'', ''[[The Yakuza]]'', ''[[Interiors]]'', ''[[The Bunker (1981 film)|The Bunker]]'', ''[[Dune (1984 film)|Dune]]'', ''[[The Secret of My Success (1987 film)|The Secret of My Success]]'', ''[[Timebomb (1991 film)|Timebomb]]'', ''[[The Hunt for Red October (film)|The Hunt for Red October]]'', ''[[Posse (1993 film)|Posse]]'' and ''[[Gettysburg (1993 film)|Gettysburg]]''.
'''Robert Anson Jordan Jr.'''<ref name="fullname"/> (July 19, 1937 – August 30, 1993) was an American actor. A long-time member of the [[New York Shakespeare Festival]], he performed in many [[Off Broadway]] and Broadway plays. His films include ''[[Logan's Run (1976 film)|Logan's Run]]'', ''[[Les Misérables (1978 film)|Les Misérables]]'', ''[[Old Boyfriends]]'', ''[[Raise the Titanic (film)|Raise the Titanic]]'', ''[[The Friends of Eddie Coyle]]'', ''[[The Yakuza]]'', ''[[Interiors]]'', ''[[The Bunker (1981 film)|The Bunker]]'', ''[[Dune (1984 film)|Dune]]'', ''[[The Secret of My Success (1987 film)|The Secret of My Success]]'', ''[[Timebomb (1991 film)|Timebomb]]'', ''[[The Hunt for Red October (film)|The Hunt for Red October]]'', ''[[Posse (1993 film)|Posse]]'' and ''[[Gettysburg (1993 film)|Gettysburg]]''.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Jordan was born in New York City to Robert Anson Jordan, Sr. from [[Boston, Massachusetts]] and Constance (née Hand) from New York. His maternal grandfather was [[Learned Hand]], judge of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit]], and one of the more respected jurists in the United States. In 1942, when Jordan was five years old, his parents divorced. His mother married [[Newbold Morris]], president of the [[New York City Council]]. Mayor [[Fiorello H. La Guardia]] officiated at the ceremony held in [[Gracie Mansion]], the first marriage performed there.<ref>"Morris Marries Mrs. C. H. Jordan", ''The New York Times'', August 2, 1942.</ref>
Jordan was born in New York City to Robert Anson Jordan, Sr. from [[Boston]], Massachusetts, and Constance (née Hand) from New York.<ref name="fullname"/> His maternal grandfather was [[Learned Hand]], judge of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit]], and one of the most highly respected jurists in the United States. In 1942, when Jordan was five years old, his parents divorced. His mother married [[Newbold Morris]], president of the [[New York City Council]]. Mayor [[Fiorello H. La Guardia]] officiated at the ceremony held in [[Gracie Mansion]], the first marriage performed there.<ref>"Morris Marries Mrs. C. H. Jordan", ''The New York Times'', August 2, 1942.</ref> Jordan attended the [[Hotchkiss School]] in Lakeville, Connecticut. Following his graduation from [[Harvard University]] in 1958,<ref name="fullname"/> he furthered his studies at the Universite du Theatre des Nations in Paris.<ref name="fullname"/>


==Career==
==Career==
⚫
Jordan told the friends he made early in his career that he took the stage name Richard because he wanted to avoid being confused with another actor named Robert Jordan. He continued to be known as Bob to those friends.<ref name="fullname"/><ref name="variety"/>
Jordan attended the [[Hotchkiss School]] in Lakeville, Connecticut. Following his graduation from [[Harvard University]] in 1958, Jordan began his acting career in earnest.

⚫
In 1961, Jordan appeared on Broadway with [[Art Carney]] and [[Elizabeth Ashley]] in ''[[Take Her, She's Mine]]''. He also began working in television productions, appearing in episodes of ''[[The Defenders (1961 TV series)|The Defenders]]'', ''[[Naked City (TV series)|Naked City]]'', ''[[Ben Casey]]'', ''[[Empire (1962 TV series)|Empire]]'',<ref name="aff">{{cite web|url= https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/name-movies.php?name-id=399358261&role-cat=cas&orderby=date-desc&v=slist&p=1 |title= Richard Jordan Filmography |website= filmaffinity.com |access-date= May 27, 2023}}</ref> and ''[[The Wide Country]]''. He performed with [[Joseph Papp]]'s [[Public Theater]] in productions of [[Shakespeare]]'s plays, such as ''[[The Tempest]]'', ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'' and ''[[As You Like It]]''. In 1966, Jordan returned to Broadway, at the [[Morosco Theatre]] appearing in ''[[Generation (play)|Generation]]'' with [[Henry Fonda]].<ref name="fonda">{{Cite web|url= https://www.playbill.com/production/generation-morosco-theatre-vault-0000002407 |title= Playbill Generation Henry Fonda 1966 |website=playbill.com/ |date=April 9, 2016}}</ref>


⚫
In 1970, Jordan made his film debut in [[Lawman (film)|''Lawman'']] (1971),<ref name="variety"/> and ''[[Valdez Is Coming]]'' (1971),<ref name="aff"/> with [[Burt Lancaster]], and appeared opposite [[Robert Mitchum]] twice: in ''[[The Friends of Eddie Coyle]]'' (1973),<ref name="aff"/> as the informant-Coyle's handler, a pragmatic U.S. Treasury agent; and in ''[[The Yakuza]]'' (1975),<ref name="aff"/> as the bodyguard of Mitchum's friend, George Tanner. He played a host of villains and mixed good guy-villains in films such as the western [[Rooster Cogburn (film)|''Rooster Cogburn'']] (1975),<ref name="variety"/> sci-fi adventure ''[[Logan's Run (1976 film)|Logan's Run]]'' (1976), and the [[Woody Allen]]-directed drama ''[[Interiors]]'' (1978).<ref name="variety"/> He played the father of his own daughter, Nina in ''Old Boyfriends'' (1979), alongside [[Talia Shire]].<ref name="boyfriends">{{Cite web|url= https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-old-boyfriends-from-left-talia-shire-richard-jordan-nina-jordan-on-127904282.html |title= Old Boyfriends, from left: Talia Shire, Richard Jordan, Nina Jordan, on set, 1979 |website= alamy.com |date= May 19, 2011}}</ref>
⚫
He told friends that he took the stage name Richard because he wanted to avoid being confused with another actor named Robert Jordan. He was known as Bob to those friends whom he had made early in his career.<ref name="fullname"/>


While his film career developed, Jordan continued performing on the stage, joining [[Ralph Waite]] in the L.A. Actors' Theatre. He wrote, directed, and performed in plays such as ''Venus of Menschen Falls'' (1978).<ref>{{cite news |title= An Actor Who Dares to Turn Off TV |work= Los Angeles Times |date=1978-02-07 }}</ref> In 1976, Jordan earned a [[Golden Globe award]]<ref name="fullname"/> for his role as Joseph Armagh, an Irish immigrant who fights his way to power and wealth in ''[[Captains and the Kings (miniseries)|Captains and the Kings]]''.<ref name="variety"/>
⚫
In 1961, he appeared on Broadway with [[Art Carney]] and [[Elizabeth Ashley]] in ''[[Take Her, She's Mine]]''. He also began working in television productions, appearing in episodes of ''[[The Defenders (1961 TV series)|The Defenders]]'', ''[[Naked City (TV series)|Naked City]]'', Ben Casey, 1963 TV series; ''[[Empire (1962 TV series)|Empire]]'' and ''[[The Wide Country]]''. He performed with [[Joseph Papp]]'s [[Public Theater]] in productions of [[Shakespeare]]'s plays, such as ''[[The Tempest]]'', ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'' and ''[[As You Like It]]''. In 1966, Jordan returned to Broadway, appearing in ''[[Generation]]'' with [[Henry Fonda]].


In the 1980s, Jordan performed in a number of feature films, such as ''Raise the Titanic'' (1980),<ref name="variety"/> ''Flash of Green'' (1984),<ref name="aff"/> ''[[Dune (1984 film)|Dune]]'' (1984),<ref name="variety"/> ''[[The Mean Season]]'' (1985), and ''[[The Secret of My Success (1987 film)|The Secret of My Success]]'' (1987).<ref name="aff"/> He co-starred in an acclaimed television production of ''[[The Bunker (1981 film)|The Bunker]]'' (1981),<ref name="variety"/> playing [[Albert Speer]] to [[Anthony Hopkins]]'s [[Adolf Hitler]]. In 10 episodes of the television series ''[[The Equalizer (1985 TV series)|The Equalizer]]'' (1987–1988),<ref name="aff"/> he played the lead role while series star [[Edward Woodward]] recovered from a heart attack.<ref name="variety"/>
⚫
Beginning in 1970, Jordan turned from television to feature film work. He co-starred in [[Lawman (film)|''Lawman'']] (1971) and ''[[Valdez Is Coming]]'' (1971) with [[Burt Lancaster]], and appeared opposite [[Robert Mitchum]] twice: in ''[[The Friends of Eddie Coyle]]'' (1973), as the informant-Coyle's handler, a pragmatic U.S. Treasury agent; and in ''[[The Yakuza]]'' (1975) as the bodyguard of Mitchum's friend, George Tanner. He played a host of villains and mixed good guy-villains in films such as the western [[Rooster Cogburn (film)|''Rooster Cogburn'']] (1975), sci-fi adventure ''[[Logan's Run (1976 film)|Logan's Run]]'' (1976), and the [[Woody Allen]]-directed drama ''[[Interiors]]'' (1978). There was also the occasional "good guy" as in ''Old Boyfriends'' (1979), in which he played the father of his own daughter, Nina.


On stage, Jordan won an [[Obie]] award for his appearance in New York in the Czech playwright [[Václav Havel]]'s ''[[A Private View]]'' (1983),<ref name="aff"/> and an L.A. Drama Critics' Award for directing ''[[Largo Desolato]]'' (1987), another Havel play. Jordan played Romero's friend, Father [[Rutilio Grande]] in ''[[Romero (film)|Romero]]'' (1989).<ref name="variety"/>
Jordan also continued on the stage, joining [[Ralph Waite]] in the L.A. Actors' Theatre. He wrote, directed and performed in plays such as ''Venus of Menschen Falls'' (1978).<ref>"An Actor Who Dares to Turn Off TV, ''Los Angeles Times'', February 7, 1978</ref> In 1976, he starred as Joseph Armagh, an Irish immigrant who fights his way to power and wealth but loses his soul along the way, in the television miniseries ''[[Captains and the Kings]]''. Jordan earned a [[Golden Globe award]], and an [[Emmy]] nomination for the production. In the 1980s, Jordan performed in films including ''Raise the Titanic'' (1980), ''Flash of Green'' (1984), ''[[Dune (1984 film)|Dune]]'' (1984), ''[[The Mean Season]]'' (1985) and ''[[The Secret of My Success (1987 film)|The Secret of My Success]]'' (1987). He co-starred in an acclaimed television production of ''[[The Bunker (1981 film)|The Bunker]]'' (1981), playing [[Albert Speer]] to [[Anthony Hopkins]]'s Adolf Hitler. In 10 episodes of the television series ''[[The Equalizer]]'' (1987–1988), he helped fill in while the star [[Edward Woodward]] recovered from a heart attack. On stage, he won an [[Obie]] award for his appearance in New York in the Czech playwright [[Václav Havel]]'s ''[[A Private View]]'' (1983) and an L.A. Drama Critics' Award for directing ''[[Largo Desolato]]'' (1987), another Havel play. In ''[[Romero (film)|Romero]]'' (1989), Jordan played Romero's friend, Father [[Rutilio Grande]].


In 1990, Jordan directed a production of ''Macbeth'' in New York City. He played U.S. National Security Advisor Jeffrey Pelt in ''[[The Hunt for Red October (film)|The Hunt for Red October]]''. He starred in a television production of ''Three Hotels'' (1991) and the 1991 "Deadline" episode of ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]''. In ''[[Posse (1993 film)|Posse]]'' (1993), Jordan portrays Bates, a racist sheriff with his own plans for land on which the Negro town of Freemanville stands.
In 1990, Jordan directed a production of ''Macbeth'' in New York City. He played U.S. National Security Advisor Jeffrey Pelt in ''[[The Hunt for Red October (film)|The Hunt for Red October]]''.<ref name="aff"/> He starred in a television production of ''Three Hotels'' (1991),<ref name="aff"/> and the 1991 "Deadline" episode of ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]''.<ref name="aff"/> In ''[[Posse (1993 film)|Posse]]'' (1993),<ref name="variety"/><ref name="aff"/>
Jordan's last film to be released was ''[[Gettysburg (1993 film)|Gettysburg]]'' (1993), filmed during the summer of 1992.<ref>{{cite news| title='Killer Angels' Filming Begins Today| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=7_FrD3gH8REC&dat=19920720&printsec=frontpage&hl=en| last=Holt| first=Robert| newspaper=[[The Gettysburg Times]]| date=July 20, 1992|
Jordan's last film to be released was ''[[Gettysburg (1993 film)|Gettysburg]]'' (1993), filmed during the summer of 1992.<ref name="killer">{{cite news| title='Killer Angels' Filming Begins Today| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=7_FrD3gH8REC&dat=19920720&printsec=frontpage&hl=en| last=Holt| first=Robert| newspaper=[[The Gettysburg Times]]| date=1992-07-20 |access-date=2018-03-05 }}</ref> He portrayed Brig. Gen. [[Lewis Addison Armistead|Lewis "Lo" Armistead]], one of the Confederate officers who took part in [[Pickett's Charge]] at the [[battle of Gettysburg]]. Producer-director [[Ronald F. Maxwell]] dedicated the film to Jordan and to author [[Michael Shaara]], whose novel ''[[The Killer Angels]]'' (1974) had been adapted for the film.<ref name="killer"/>
accessdate=March 5, 2018}}</ref> He portrayed Brig. Gen. [[Lewis Addison Armistead|Lewis "Lo" Armistead]], who was one of the Confederate officers in the doomed [[Pickett's Charge]] at the [[battle of Gettysburg]]. Producer-director [[Ronald F. Maxwell]] dedicated the film to Jordan and to author [[Michael Shaara]], whose novel ''[[The Killer Angels]]'' was adapted for the film.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Jordan's daughter Nina Jordan was born in 1964 during his 1964–1972 marriage to actress [[Kathleen Widdoes]]. His son Robert Anson Jordan III was born in 1982 during his nine-year relationship with actress [[Blair Brown]]. At the time of his death, Jordan was in a relationship with actress [[Marcia Cross]].
Jordan's daughter Nina Jordan was born in 1964 during his 1964–1972 marriage to actress [[Kathleen Widdoes]].<ref name="fullname"/> Nina played Robert's daughter in the film ''[[Old Boyfriends]]''. His son Robert Anson Jordan III was born in 1982 during his nine-year relationship with actress [[Blair Brown]].<ref name="fullname"/> At the time of his death, Jordan was in a relationship with actress [[Marcia Cross]].


==Death==
==Death==
By 1993, his health began to fail and he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Cast as Dr. Charles Nichols, he was filming ''[[The Fugitive (1993 film)|The Fugitive]]'' in April 1993 when his illness forced him to withdraw. He was replaced by [[Jeroen Krabbe]].<ref>{{cite news| title=Richard Jordan| url=https://variety.com/1993/scene/people-news/richard-jordan-110126/| newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]| agency=[[Associated Press]]| date=September 1, 1993}}</ref> He died on August 30, 1993, cared for by his daughter Nina and his companion, [[Marcia Cross]].<ref name="fullname"/><ref>{{cite news| title=Her Midlife Miracle| url=http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/inspirational-stories/interviews/a16999/marcia-cross-interview-0307/| last=Diamond| first=Jamie| journal=[[Good Housekeeping]]| date=February 5, 2007| access-date=March 5, 2018}}</ref>
By 1993, his health began to fail and he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.<ref name="variety"/> Cast as Dr. Charles Nichols, he was filming ''[[The Fugitive (1993 film)|The Fugitive]]'' in April 1993 when his illness forced him to withdraw. He was replaced by [[Jeroen Krabbé]].<ref name="variety">{{cite news| title=Richard Jordan| url= https://variety.com/1993/scene/people-news/richard-jordan-110126/ |newspaper= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]| agency=[[Associated Press]]|date= September 1, 1993}}</ref> He died on August 30, 1993, at the age of 56, cared for by his daughter Nina and his companion, [[Marcia Cross]].<ref name="fullname"/><ref>{{cite news| title=Her Midlife Miracle| url=http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/inspirational-stories/interviews/a16999/marcia-cross-interview-0307/| last=Diamond| first=Jamie| journal=[[Good Housekeeping]]| date=February 5, 2007| access-date=March 5, 2018}}</ref>


A memorial in Jordan's honor was held at the [[Mark Taper Forum]] in Los Angeles on October 8, 1993, the day ''Gettysburg'' was released.<ref>''Los Angeles Times'', October 8, 1993</ref>
A memorial in Jordan's honor was held at the [[Mark Taper Forum]] in Los Angeles on October 8, 1993, the day ''Gettysburg'' was released.<ref>''Los Angeles Times'', October 8, 1993</ref>
Line 58: Line 60:
|-
|-
| {{sort|1971.2|1971}} || ''[[Valdez Is Coming]]'' || {{sort|Davis|R.L. Davis}} ||
| {{sort|1971.2|1971}} || ''[[Valdez Is Coming]]'' || {{sort|Davis|R.L. Davis}} ||

|-
| {{sort|1971.3|1971}} || ''[[Klute]]'' || Man kissing [[Jane Fonda]] in night club || Uncredited
|-
|-
| {{sort|1972.1|1972}} || ''[[Catonsville Nine|The Trial of the Catonsville Nine]]'' || {{sort|Mische|George Mische}} ||
| {{sort|1972.1|1972}} || ''[[Catonsville Nine|The Trial of the Catonsville Nine]]'' || {{sort|Mische|George Mische}} ||
Line 75: Line 76:
| {{sort|1976.1|1976}} || ''[[Logan's Run (1976 film)|Logan's Run]]'' || Francis ||
| {{sort|1976.1|1976}} || ''[[Logan's Run (1976 film)|Logan's Run]]'' || Francis ||
|-
|-
| {{sort|1976.2|1976}} || ''[[Captains and the Kings]]'' || {{sort|Armagh|Joseph Armagh}} || 8 episodes
| {{sort|1976.2|1976}} || ''[[Captains and the Kings (miniseries)|Captains and the Kings]]'' || {{sort|Armagh|Joseph Armagh}} || 8 episodes
|-
|-
| 1977 || ''Alibis'' || Paul ||
| 1977 || ''Alibis'' || Paul ||
Line 107: Line 108:
| {{sort|1987.2|1987}} || {{sort|Secret|''[[The Secret of My Success (1987 film)|The Secret of My Success]]''}} || {{sort|Prescott|Howard Prescott}} ||
| {{sort|1987.2|1987}} || {{sort|Secret|''[[The Secret of My Success (1987 film)|The Secret of My Success]]''}} || {{sort|Prescott|Howard Prescott}} ||
|-
|-
| 1987-1988 || {{sort|Equalizer|''[[The Equalizer]]''}} || {{sort|Gage|Harley Gage}} || 10 episodes
| 1987-1988 || {{sort|Equalizer|''[[The Equalizer (1985 TV series)|The Equalizer]]''}} || {{sort|Gage|Harley Gage}} || 10 episodes
|-
|-
| 1989 || ''[[Romero (film)|Romero]]'' || {{sort|Grande|[[Rutilio Grande|Fr. Rutilio Grande, SJ]]}} ||
| 1989 || ''[[Romero (film)|Romero]]'' || {{sort|Grande|[[Rutilio Grande|Fr. Rutilio Grande, SJ]]}} ||
Line 125: Line 126:
| {{sort|1993.1|1993}} || ''[[Posse (1993 film)|Posse]]'' || {{sort|Bates|Sheriff Bates}} ||
| {{sort|1993.1|1993}} || ''[[Posse (1993 film)|Posse]]'' || {{sort|Bates|Sheriff Bates}} ||
|-
|-
| {{sort|1993.2|1993}} || ''[[Gettysburg (1993 film)|Gettysburg]]'' || {{sort|Armistead|Brig. Gen. [[Lewis A. Armistead]]}} || (final film role)
| {{sort|1993.2|1993}} || ''[[Gettysburg (1993 film)|Gettysburg]]'' || {{sort|Armistead|Brig. Gen. [[Lewis A. Armistead]]}} || Posthumous release
|}
|}


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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


⚫
{{Portal|Biography|New York City|California|Theatre|Film|Television}}
==External links==
==External links==
⚫
{{Portal|Biography|New York City|California|Theatre|Film|Television}}
* {{Find a Grave}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* [https://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=8969 Richard Jordan](Aveleyman)
* [https://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=8969 Richard Jordan](Aveleyman)

{{GoldenGlobeBestActorTVDrama 1969-1989}}
{{GoldenGlobeBestActorTVDrama 1969-1989}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jordan, Richard}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jordan, Richard}}
[[Category:1937 births]]
[[Category:1937 births]]
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[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from brain tumor]]
[[Category:Neurological disease deaths in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from brain cancer in California]]
[[Category:Hotchkiss School alumni]]
[[Category:Hotchkiss School alumni]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni]]

Latest revision as of 01:13, 19 August 2024

For other people named Richard Jordan, see Richard Jordan (disambiguation).

Richard Jordan
Jordan in 1981
Born
Robert Anson Jordan Jr.[1]

(1937-07-19)July 19, 1937
New York City, U.S.
DiedAugust 30, 1993(1993-08-30) (aged 56)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1961–1993
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1964; div. 1972)​
Partners
Children2
Relatives

Robert Anson Jordan Jr.[1] (July 19, 1937 – August 30, 1993) was an American actor. A long-time member of the New York Shakespeare Festival, he performed in many Off Broadway and Broadway plays. His films include Logan's Run, Les Misérables, Old Boyfriends, Raise the Titanic, The Friends of Eddie Coyle, The Yakuza, Interiors, The Bunker, Dune, The Secret of My Success, Timebomb, The Hunt for Red October, Posse and Gettysburg.

Early life

[edit]

Jordan was born in New York City to Robert Anson Jordan, Sr. from Boston, Massachusetts, and Constance (née Hand) from New York.[1] His maternal grandfather was Learned Hand, judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and one of the most highly respected jurists in the United States. In 1942, when Jordan was five years old, his parents divorced. His mother married Newbold Morris, president of the New York City Council. Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia officiated at the ceremony held in Gracie Mansion, the first marriage performed there.[2] Jordan attended the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. Following his graduation from Harvard University in 1958,[1] he furthered his studies at the Universite du Theatre des Nations in Paris.[1]

Career

[edit]

Jordan told the friends he made early in his career that he took the stage name Richard because he wanted to avoid being confused with another actor named Robert Jordan. He continued to be known as Bob to those friends.[1][3]

In 1961, Jordan appeared on Broadway with Art Carney and Elizabeth Ashley in Take Her, She's Mine. He also began working in television productions, appearing in episodes of The Defenders, Naked City, Ben Casey, Empire,[4] and The Wide Country. He performed with Joseph Papp's Public Theater in productions of Shakespeare's plays, such as The Tempest, The Merchant of Venice and As You Like It. In 1966, Jordan returned to Broadway, at the Morosco Theatre appearing in Generation with Henry Fonda.[5]

In 1970, Jordan made his film debut in Lawman (1971),[3] and Valdez Is Coming (1971),[4] with Burt Lancaster, and appeared opposite Robert Mitchum twice: in The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973),[4] as the informant-Coyle's handler, a pragmatic U.S. Treasury agent; and in The Yakuza (1975),[4] as the bodyguard of Mitchum's friend, George Tanner. He played a host of villains and mixed good guy-villains in films such as the western Rooster Cogburn (1975),[3] sci-fi adventure Logan's Run (1976), and the Woody Allen-directed drama Interiors (1978).[3] He played the father of his own daughter, Nina in Old Boyfriends (1979), alongside Talia Shire.[6]

While his film career developed, Jordan continued performing on the stage, joining Ralph Waite in the L.A. Actors' Theatre. He wrote, directed, and performed in plays such as Venus of Menschen Falls (1978).[7] In 1976, Jordan earned a Golden Globe award[1] for his role as Joseph Armagh, an Irish immigrant who fights his way to power and wealth in Captains and the Kings.[3]

In the 1980s, Jordan performed in a number of feature films, such as Raise the Titanic (1980),[3] Flash of Green (1984),[4] Dune (1984),[3] The Mean Season (1985), and The Secret of My Success (1987).[4] He co-starred in an acclaimed television production of The Bunker (1981),[3] playing Albert Speer to Anthony Hopkins's Adolf Hitler. In 10 episodes of the television series The Equalizer (1987–1988),[4] he played the lead role while series star Edward Woodward recovered from a heart attack.[3]

On stage, Jordan won an Obie award for his appearance in New York in the Czech playwright Václav Havel's A Private View (1983),[4] and an L.A. Drama Critics' Award for directing Largo Desolato (1987), another Havel play. Jordan played Romero's friend, Father Rutilio Grande in Romero (1989).[3]

In 1990, Jordan directed a production of Macbeth in New York City. He played U.S. National Security Advisor Jeffrey Pelt in The Hunt for Red October.[4] He starred in a television production of Three Hotels (1991),[4] and the 1991 "Deadline" episode of Tales from the Crypt.[4] In Posse (1993),[3][4]

Jordan's last film to be released was Gettysburg (1993), filmed during the summer of 1992.[8] He portrayed Brig. Gen. Lewis "Lo" Armistead, one of the Confederate officers who took part in Pickett's Charge at the battle of Gettysburg. Producer-director Ronald F. Maxwell dedicated the film to Jordan and to author Michael Shaara, whose novel The Killer Angels (1974) had been adapted for the film.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

Jordan's daughter Nina Jordan was born in 1964 during his 1964–1972 marriage to actress Kathleen Widdoes.[1] Nina played Robert's daughter in the film Old Boyfriends. His son Robert Anson Jordan III was born in 1982 during his nine-year relationship with actress Blair Brown.[1] At the time of his death, Jordan was in a relationship with actress Marcia Cross.

Death

[edit]

By 1993, his health began to fail and he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.[3] Cast as Dr. Charles Nichols, he was filming The Fugitive in April 1993 when his illness forced him to withdraw. He was replaced by Jeroen Krabbé.[3] He died on August 30, 1993, at the age of 56, cared for by his daughter Nina and his companion, Marcia Cross.[1][9]

A memorial in Jordan's honor was held at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles on October 8, 1993, the day Gettysburg was released.[10]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1971 Lawman Crowe Wheelwright
1971 Valdez Is Coming R.L. Davis
1972 The Trial of the Catonsville Nine George Mische
1972 Chato's Land Earl Hooker
1973 Kamouraska Georges Nelson
1973 The Friends of Eddie Coyle Dave Foley
1974 The Yakuza Dusty
1975 Rooster Cogburn Hawk
1976 Logan's Run Francis
1976 Captains and the Kings Joseph Armagh 8 episodes
1977 Alibis Paul
1978 The Defection of Simas Kudirka Commander Edward Devon TV movie
1978 Interiors Frederick
1978 Les Misérables Jean Valjean TV movie
1979 Old Boyfriends Jeff Turrin
1979 A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square Pinky
1980 Raise the Titanic Dirk Pitt
1981 The Bunker Albert Speer TV movie
1984 American Playhouse Elmo Bliss Episode: "A Flash of Green"
1984 Dune Duncan Idaho
1985 The Mean Season Alan Delour
1986 The Men's Club Kramer
1986 Solarbabies Grock
1987 The Murder of Mary Phagan Hugh Dorsey 2 episodes
1987 The Secret of My Success Howard Prescott
1987-1988 The Equalizer Harley Gage 10 episodes
1989 Romero Fr. Rutilio Grande, SJ
1990 The Hunt for Red October Jeffrey Pelt
1991 Timebomb Col. Taylor
1991 Delusion Executive in Conference Room
1991 Shout Eugene Benedict
1991 Heaven Is a Playground David Racine
1992 Primary Motive Chris Poulas
1993 Posse Sheriff Bates
1993 Gettysburg Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead Posthumous release

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Richard Jordan, Actor, Director, Producer and Writer, 56, Is Dead". The New York Times. September 1, 1993. Archived from the original on November 27, 2009.
  2. ^ "Morris Marries Mrs. C. H. Jordan", The New York Times, August 2, 1942.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Richard Jordan". Variety. Associated Press. September 1, 1993.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Richard Jordan Filmography". filmaffinity.com. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "Playbill Generation Henry Fonda 1966". playbill.com/. April 9, 2016.
  6. ^ "Old Boyfriends, from left: Talia Shire, Richard Jordan, Nina Jordan, on set, 1979". alamy.com. May 19, 2011.
  7. ^ "An Actor Who Dares to Turn Off TV". Los Angeles Times. February 7, 1978.
  8. ^ a b Holt, Robert (July 20, 1992). "'Killer Angels' Filming Begins Today". The Gettysburg Times. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  9. ^ Diamond, Jamie (February 5, 2007). "Her Midlife Miracle". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  10. ^ Los Angeles Times, October 8, 1993
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