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Richard JordanAmerican stage, film and television actor
Date of Birth: 19.07.1937
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Richard Jordan
Richard Jordan, born Robert Anson Jordan Jr., was an American actor of theater, film, and television. He was born on July 19, 1937, in New York City. Jordan's parents were Robert Anson Jordan and Constance Hand Jordan, and he was the grandson of renowned American lawyer Learned Hand. When he was five years old, his parents divorced, and his mother remarried New York City Council President Newbold Morris.
Early Career
After graduating from Harvard University in 1958, Jordan began his acting career. In 1961, he made his Broadway debut in the play "Take Her, She's Mine" alongside Art Carney and Elizabeth Ashley. He then ventured into television, appearing in several projects such as episodes of "The Defenders," "Naked City," "Empire," and "Wide Country."
Jordan also performed in Joseph Papp's Public Theater, starring in Shakespearean plays including "The Tempest," "The Merchant of Venice," and "As You Like It." In 1966, he returned to Broadway and continued his successful theater career.
Film and Television Success
Starting from the 1970s, Richard Jordan transitioned from small screens to big screens. He became a prominent figure in movies such as the western film "Valdez Is Coming" (1971) alongside Burt Lancaster and collaborated twice with Robert Mitchum in "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" (1973) and "The Yakuza" (1975). Jordan often portrayed villains and complex characters in films like "Rooster Cogburn," "Logan's Run," and "Interiors." However, he also played positive roles, such as Jeff Turrin in Leonard and Paul Schrader's drama.
In addition to his film career, Jordan remained active in the theater. He joined Ralph Waite in the L.A. Actor's Theatre and wrote, directed, and participated in various plays, including the 1978 production of "Venus of Menschen Falls."
Later Career and Personal Life
In 1976, Jordan portrayed Joseph Armagh, an Irish immigrant who sought power and wealth but lost his soul, in the television mini-series "Captains and the Kings." During the 1980s, he appeared in movies such as "Raise the Titanic," "Flash of Green," "The Mean Season," and "The Secret of My Success." Jordan was also part of the star-studded ensemble cast of George Schaefer's acclaimed drama "The Bunker" (1981), portraying arms and war industry minister Albert Speer, with Anthony Hopkins playing Adolf Hitler.
In the same period, Richard Jordan temporarily replaced Edward Woodward in the popular television series "The Equalizer" for ten episodes. He received an Obie Award for his role in Václav Havel's play "A Private View" and an L.A. Drama Critic's Award for directing Havel's "Largo Desolato."
In his later years, Jordan was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Despite his deteriorating health, he continued acting, appearing in the film "The Fugitive" until his condition forced him to retire in April 1993. His last film was the 1993 drama "Gettysburg." Jordan passed away on August 30, 1993, in the presence of his daughter Nina and actress Marcia Cross, with whom he had been in a relationship for the last five years.
Jordan had a daughter named Nina from his marriage to actress Kathleen Widdoes in 1964. He also had a son named Robert, born in 1982 during his nine-year relationship with actress Blair Brown.
