RIP Marjoe Gortner

Marjoe Gortner died on October 2nd from congestive heart failure.

Marjoe was born into a family that had a long line of preachers.  His father, Vernon Gortner, was a third-generation Christian revival preacher.  Marjoe’s name was a combination of the biblical names Mary and Joseph.  As a small child Marjoe had the ability to mimick adults.  They trained him in what to say and what gestures to make as his spoke.  Marjoe’s parents had him ordained at the age of four.  Marjoe became a hit on the revival circuit.

As an adult Marjoe came forward to decry his days as a child preacher.  Marjoe exposed the lies, fake “healing” items, and scams perpetrated on the unsuspecting public.  Marjo went so far to participate in Marjoe, an exposé documentary which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

The success of the documentary opened opportunities for Marjoe to act.  Marjoe began his acting career in 1973 with a role in the pilot for Kojak.  For the remainer of his career Marjoe acted on television and feature films.

Some of Marjoe Gortner’s television performances include: The Marcus-Nelson Murders; Barnaby Jones; Medical Center; Police Story (2 episodes); Viva Knievel; Laugh-In (2 episodes); Fantasy Island (2 episodes); The A-Team; Matt Houston; Streethawk; Otherworld; Airwolf; T.J. Hooker (2 episodes); Hotel; Half Nelson and Falcon Crest (17 episodes).

Some of Marjoe Gortner’s feature film appearances include: Earthquake; Bobbie Joe & the Outlaw; The Food of the Gods; Starcrash; American Ninja 3: Bloodhunt and Wild Bill.

I first became aware of Marjoe Gorter in the movie Earthquake.  He played a psycho Nationalguardsman.  His most famous role was probably in Bobby Jo & the Outlaw.  He played the outlaw and Bobbie Jo was played by a pre-Wonder Woman Linda Carter.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marjoe Gortner’s family, friends and fans.