Gordon Clapp, a renowned actor, was born and raised in the picturesque ski resort town of North Conway, nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. His early fascination with acting began when he was cast in a local summer theater production of THE HAPPY TIME, sparking a lifelong passion for the craft.
Gordon's academic pursuits took him to Williams College, where he majored in English, but it was his involvement with the Drama department that truly captured his heart. During his time at Williams, he crossed paths with John Sayles, who would go on to cast Gordon in four films over the course of two decades, including the cult classic RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS SEVEN.
As a senior at Williams, Gordon was part of the inaugural class at the National Theatre Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Center, a prestigious program that would lay the foundation for his future success. After college, he spent three seasons touring with a children's theater company and performed in summer stock productions in his hometown, where he first discovered his love for acting.
The 1970s and 1980s found Gordon honing his craft in regional theaters across Canada and the United States, eventually landing roles in films and television shows, including five seasons at Canada's National Arts Centre, a number of CBC movies, and a regular spot on the sitcom CHECK IT OUT with Don Adams. His work during this period also included appearances in John Sayles' films MATEWAN and EIGHT MEN OUT.
In 1989, Gordon made the bold decision to take the leap into Hollywood, and his big break came when he landed a starring role alongside Farrah Fawcett in the mini-series SMALL SACRIFICES. This led to a string of guest roles in popular shows such as CHEERS, NIGHT COURT, WINGS, and WONDER YEARS, as well as an audition for a guest role on NYPD BLUE, which ultimately secured him a 12-season run as Detective Greg Medavoy.
Throughout his illustrious career, Gordon has received numerous accolades, including a 1998 Emmy Award for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and the first SAG Award for Ensemble in a Drama Series. Despite his success in television and film, Gordon has always maintained a deep love for the theater, and his numerous stage credits include a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Dave Moss in the Broadway revival of GLENGARRY, GLEN ROSS.
In recent years, Gordon has continued to balance his work in television and film with his passion for the stage, frequently appearing in productions at various theaters throughout New England, including Vermont's Northern Stage, Lost Nation Theatre, and Dorset Theatre Festival, Connecticut's Ivoryton Playhouse, New Hampshire's New London Barn and Peterborough Players, and Boston's Huntington Theatre and Central Square Theatre.
One of Gordon's most notable recent roles was his portrayal of J Edgar Hoover in the Lincoln Center production of THE GREAT SOCIETY in the Fall of 2019. However, it's his love of poetry that has remained a constant thread throughout his career. In 2008, he stumbled upon a script titled THIS VERSE BUSINESS, and he has since been developing it with playwright A.M. Dolan, taking the show on the road and performing it at various venues across the country.
