 |
 |
|
Stuart Gordon
Director/Writer/Producer
In 1985, winning the Critics' Award at the Cannes Film Festival, Stuart Gordon surprised audiences with his first feature film RE-ANIMATOR. With its stunning box office success, RE-ANIMATOR has become a cult classic and Stuart Gordon has developed a strong and loyal following. His professional career began in 1970 as artistic director of The Organic Theater Company of Chicago, a position he held for fifteen years. The ensemble, which included actors Joe Mantegna and Dennis Franz, produced original plays and adaptations. Gordon was able to work directly with Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl, Mary Renault and Kurt Vonnegut bringing their works to the stage. And in 1974 he produced and directed the world premiere of David Mamet's SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO. The company performed on and off-Broadway, and toured the US and Europe. Gordon left Organic in 1985 when he was offered a three picture deal in Los Angeles after the success of RE-ANIMATOR.
Gordon followed RE-ANIMATOR with another H.P. Lovecraft adaptation, FROM BEYOND (1986), solidifying his notoriety in the horror genre. His subsequent directing credits include DOLLS (1987), ROBOT JOX (1990), PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1991) starring Lance Henricksen, FORTRESS (1993) starring Christopher Lambert, CASTLE FREAK (1995) which won a Golden Chainsaw Award from Fangoria Magazine and SPACE TRUCKERS starring Dennis Hopper. In 1998 in an astonishing change of pace, he directed Ray Bradbury's comical fable THE WONDERFUL ICE CREAM SUIT starring Edward James Olmos and Esai Morales for Disney Studios. The film premiered at the Sundance Festival and won the Best Director award at Rome's Fantafestival. Joe Mantegna played the same role he had performed onstage at Organic almost twenty five years earlier. Gordon returned to another Lovecraft inspired project, DAGON in 2001 and followed that with KING OF THE ANTS a brutal crime drama in 2003. He and David Mamet have recently reunited to work on the film version of EDMOND (based on his controversial play). William H. Macy and Julia Stiles star. Gordon's writing credits are equally impressive.
In 1989 he and frequent collaborator Brian Yuzna created Disney's blockbuster HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS. Gordon also executive produced its sequel HONEY, I BLEW UP THE KID. Gordon and his writing partner Dennis Paoli also wrote BODY SNATCHERS for Warner Bros and THE DENTIST for Trimark. Gordon lives in Los Angeles with his actress wife Carolyn Purdy Gordon (who he murders in his films whenever possible) and his three daughters: Suzanna, Jillian and Margaret.
|
|
|
• 
