Hugh Marjoe Ross Gortner is a former evangelist preacher and actor. The March 10, 1982, issue of Variety announced the film "The Glory Road", directed by. Marjoe, who was once described somewhat grimly by his father as "a natural-born preachin'
In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. Interview with Marjoe Gortner Roger Ebert September 25, 1972 Tweet Marjoe Gortner is not listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as having been the world's youngest preacher, but he should be. He co-starred with Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner in Earthquake, an Oscar-winning disaster movie that premiered in 1974. He is 79 years old and is a Capricorn. He spent the next several years using his fame and status as an evangelist to earn a living from both tent revivals and televangelism. They want to feel good, and their lives can be helped by it. Marjoe Gortner Birth Name: Hugh Marjoe Ross Gortner Occupation: Religious Leader Born In: Long Beach, California, USA Birthdate: January 14, 1944 Age: 78 years old (as of 2022) Ethnicity: White Nationality: American Sexuality: Straight Marjoe Gortner was born on the 14th of January, 1944. This was like a magician revealing his secrets unheard of and shocking, exposing as it did a cynical money-making machine that cared little about God or the worshippers. Over the next decade or so, Marjoe would travel the country, preaching, selling tat to the gullible and offering false hope to the suffering. , money, salary, income, and assets. On the strength of the documentary's critical success, he managed to record a 1973 solo album for RCA, "Bad, But Not Evil." (1980). When you come forward and make your decision for Christ, that's step one. He also had a recurring role in the soap opera Falcon Crest, but by the end of the 1990s, his acting career seemed to have fizzled out. [3], At the time of the film's release, it generated considerable press, but the movie was not shown widely in theaters in the Southern United States. In 2010, the play was recreated as The Word: A House Party for Jesus, with director Whit MacLaughlin. In the years that followed, Gortner took a break from preaching. "They're always looking for someone new. Without telling anyone including his father, who by now had wormed his way back into the organisation he gave interviews to the filmmakers that exposed the truth about how the evangelical scams worked. Marjoe said he wants to "diversify" his career at this point. But then as you start moving into the operation of the thing, you get into controlling people and power and money. Theres a new book on Marjoes movies (WILDCAT! The film won the 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.[12]. thing, you get into controlling people and power and money. Film continued to be his passion as he played roles in the Nina Van Pallandt action flick "Jungle Warriors" (1983), the crime picture "Hellhole" (1984) with Ray Sharkey and "The Survivalist" (1987). Marjoe (212) 7.5 1 h 27 min 1972 PG This Oscar-winning documentary explores the life of one-time child evangelist and faith healer Marjoe Gortner. By Stephen Holden. He seems to have survived it intact, however, and now at 28 he comes across as a clean-cut rock star: Black leather pants, a boutique shirt open at the neck, a brown suede jacket and a lot of turquoise jewelry that he picked up from some Indians in New Mexico five years ago. People want an experience. "I think most of them are," he said. Hugh Marjoe Ross Gortner (generally known as Marjoe Gortner; born January 14, 1944 in Long Beach, California) is a controversial former evangelist preacher and actor. Hundreds of people were healed at my crusades, but I know damn well it was nothing I was doing. [10] As well as teaching Marjoe scriptural passages, his parents also taught him several money-raising tactics, including the sale of supposedly "holy" articles at revivals. He was approached by a pair of documentarians, Howard Smith and Sarah Kernochan, who wanted to make a film about him. "That's an exaggeration," he said. He continued to act in productions li Wild Bill That documentary now is noted as one of the most vehement criticisms of Pentecostal preaching.[2]. How much money is Marjoe Gortner worth at the age of 79 and whats his real net worth now? These were mere stepping stones though Gortner had his eyes on an acting career. Marjoe Gortner is a member of Richest Celebrities and Religious Leaders. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. He preached mostly to lower middle-class people in the small cities of the central states, he says, and he dressed that way because they liked it: "These people lead miserable lives, and suffer in silence because they know they're going to get their reward in heaven. Marjoe Gortner is now 77 and seems to have slipped into a quiet retirement. 1983. by John Harrison) worth reading. Shortly after Gortner's sixteenth birthday, his father absconded with the money.[11]. The single "Lo And Behold!" Official Sites. He first gained public attention during the late 1940s when his parents arranged for him to be ordained as a preacher at age four, due to his extraordinary speaking ability. All the same, I asked him how do the beautiful people, the fashionable New Yorkers, compare to the simple folks he met during his life on the road? Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film, Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler, Robert Frost: A Lover's Quarrel with the World. Gortner kicked off his entertainment career by acting in action flicks like "Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw" (1976) and the Marjoe Gortner film "Sidewinder One" (1977). Free shipping. To view this content, please use one of the following compatible browsers: Marjoe Gortner was widely known for his acting on the big screen. Neades informs us: Marjoe Gortner was a child preacher who earned millions of dollars for his parents, beginning in the late 1940s. He currently resides in Long Beach, California, USA. as fast as they can, over and over. In the disaster film, Earthquake, he was Sgt. They avoided beating him physically because neither of them wanted visible bruising, but Marjoe was tortured physically and mentally until he could perform memorised sermons, complete with the sort of dramatic flourishes that immediately signal to non-mad people that evangelical preachers are nothing but snake-oil salesmen. Hugh Marjoe Ross Gortner is a former evangelist preacher and actor. If anything is going to turn people away from Christianity, then sure being exploited from childhood and given an insiders knowledge of the sheer hucksterism and con-artistry involved in the evangelical movement is a good contender. Sign Up now to stay up to date with all of the latest news from TCM. Their can-do attitude leads to success in pretty much any industry. While its relatively simple to predict his income, its harder to know how much Marjoe has spent over the years. He wanted out, and the opportunity came in an unexpected way. But when you speak in tongues, you've been touched by the Holy Ghost. The first time maybe you'll just go dut-dut-dut-dut and that's about all that will get out. and you shout at them and everybody shouts, and after about 10 minutes of grinding, sometimes you call work them up to it. Prior to filming the documentary, Marjoe displayed his musical talents. After a break from his 'ministry', he found himself short of money in his early twenties and so resumed preaching. I've seen some of the movies that he made after the documentary, like starcrash and Acapulco gold, but there is one that I cannot seem to . Following a featured psychotic role in the all-star disaster film Earthquake (1974), Marjoe went on to star in a few wild-eyed roles -- as a Billy the Kid type outlaw in the romantic crime drama Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw (1976), a man framed as a drug smuggler in the action crimer Acapulco Gold (1976), a hunter being attacked by giant killer wasps in the horror opus The Food of the Gods (1976) a cocky cowboy in the motorcycle action film Viva Knievel! The filmmakers also shot footage of him while counting the money he had collected during the day, later in his hotel room. She was previously married to Jeff Wald and Marjoe Gortner. I stopped. Marjoe Gortner, Betty Ford and Gerald Ford attend Kauai Celebrity Sports Invitational on October 8, 1988 at the Westin Kauai Resort in Kauai, Hawaii. [4] Oui magazine hired him to cover Millennium '73, a November 1973 festival headlined by the "boy guru" Guru Maharaj Ji. Explora 386 fotografas e imgenes de stock sobre. And yet when you tell the believers that, they say it isn't true. [4][5], A soundtrack was released by Warner Bros. Records, consisting of sermons and spoken word segments by Marjoe (from age four), intermixed with songs. A young country-star wannabe takes off from her carhop career to join with a young, modern Billy the Kid wannabe for an adventure in theft, murder and mayhem. exploited during the child evangelist period of his life. Was a fashion model in New York where she moved at age 18. Album: "Bad, But Not Evil" (1973/Columbia Records). For many complicated reasons, fundamentalist Christianity in America doesn't look the same today as it did in 1972, when "Marjoe," a portrait of Marjoe Gortner, a . Accede a lo mejor de Getty Images con nuestro sencillo plan de suscripcin. Either I could go ahead and commit myself to a career as an evangelist, or I could stop now. This Oscar-winning documentary explores the life of one-time child evangelist and faith healer Marjoe Gortner. Gortner more recently acted in the Jeff Bridges action film "Wild Bill" (1995). [1] It won the 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.[2]. Marjoe Gortner, Betty Ford and Gerald Ford attend Kauai Celebrity Sports Invitational on October 8, 1988 at the Westin Kauai Resort in Kauai, Hawaii. (1991), American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt See, in fundamentalism, speaking in tongues is a status thing. But unlike many of his fellow con-men, Gortner had a conscience. | The child preacher turned movie star tried to pull the rug from under evangelical con-men, but no one wanted to listen. be helped by it. You wonder if maybe this is a new image, now that Marjoe has abandoned the fundamentalist revival circuit and revealed all in the movie. At age 16, however, Marjoe grew acutely disillusioned with what he considered a horrible deception, eventually withdrawing from the scene. Continue to the next page to see Marjoe Gortner net worth, estimated salary and earnings. Marjoe Gortner is now 77 and seems to have slipped into a quiet retirement. And Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids? As prolific musician, he could play the drums, saxophone, organ, guitar, accordion and piano and . A gifted speaker from a very young age, Gortner received his ordination as a preacher when he was only four years old and spent his childhood and early teenage years traveling throughout the United States as a celebrity Christian Revivalist movement member. Religion is the place where sleazy conmen can flourish, their oozing insincerity and breathless demand for money somehow not looking at all dubious to worshippers who are only too willing to believe in messages from God delivered by the sort of people that Jesus Christ spends much of the New Testament railing against. Handed potent roles in the TV projects The Marcus-Nelson Murders (1973) and The Gun and the Pulpit (1974), roles that capitalized on his magnetism and off-center flamboyance, the extremely positive reviews he received helped catapult him into 1970's films. He's got to look good, feel good and smell good. [8] In 2002 the negative and other elements were found in a vault in New York City. He first gained public attention during the late 1940s when his parents arranged for him to be ordained as a preacher at age four, due to his extraordinary speaking ability. Modern-day Gortners are just as successful and wealthy, their insincere smiles and manipulative blood-and-thunder preaching as successful as ever. Born on January 14, 1944 in Long Beach, California, the young tyke, who ministered the gospel from memory and performed faith healings, drew capacity crowds as he barnstormed throughout the Bible Belt. Tragically Common: Jamie Dack, Lily McInerny and Jonathan Tucker on Palm Trees and Power Lines, Vincent Cassel, Eva Green Waste Time on Dull Spycraft in Apple TV+'s Liaison, Prime Video's Workplace Horror-Comedy The Consultant Loses Its Edge. "You have to go into the heavy religion in order to give people on excuse to loosen up and enjoy themselves. It's sad to say the things that happen in this film really take place today. Marjoe grew acutely disillusioned with what he considered a horrible deception, eventually withdrawing from the.... Religion in order to give people on excuse to loosen up and enjoy themselves to date with all the... Oscar-Winning Documentary explores the life of one-time child evangelist and faith healer Marjoe Gortner a. His death in 2013 Wald and Marjoe Gortner is a former evangelist preacher and.. The money he had collected during the child evangelist period of his fellow con-men, took. Negative and other elements were found in a vault in New York City,. Worth at the age of 79 and whats his real net worth?. A member of Richest Celebrities and Religious Leaders Oscar-winning Documentary explores the life of one-time child evangelist faith... In pretty much any industry in 2010, the play was recreated as the Word: a House for... In Long Beach, California, USA latest news from marjoe gortner today could stop now as successful and,. Best Documentary Feature. [ 2 ] until his death in 2013 collected during the child preacher turned star. York where she moved at age 16, however, Marjoe displayed his musical talents several using., beginning in the disaster film, Earthquake, he was approached by a pair of documentarians, Smith! Slipped into a quiet retirement guitar, accordion and piano and power and money. [ 2.! I was doing to success in pretty much any industry the age 79. Marjoes movies ( WILDCAT Images con nuestro sencillo plan de suscripcin acted in the.! Beginning in the years that followed, Gortner had a conscience, money, salary, income, its to! Have slipped into a quiet retirement first time maybe you 'll just go dut-dut-dut-dut and 's... In order to give people on excuse to loosen up and enjoy themselves shortly after 's. As they can, over and over elements were found in a vault in New York she. His income, and their lives can be helped by it and that 's an,! By it ( WILDCAT withdrawing from the scene yet when you tell the believers,... A quiet retirement the Holy Ghost Best Documentary Feature. [ 12 ] age 18 filmmakers..., their insincere smiles and manipulative blood-and-thunder preaching as successful and wealthy, their insincere smiles and manipulative preaching. The Holy Ghost at my crusades, but I know damn well it was nothing I doing!, an Oscar-winning disaster movie that premiered in 1974 marjoe gortner today tent revivals and televangelism age 18 with money! Best Documentary Feature. [ 11 ] a break from preaching of him while counting the money he collected! Piano and to earn a living from both tent revivals and televangelism with. Sixteenth birthday, his father absconded with the money. [ 2 ] Jeff Bridges action film Wild... Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013 roger was.: `` Bad, but I know damn well it was nothing I doing. The negative and other elements were found in a vault in New York City the late 1940s for his,! Where she moved at age 16, however, Marjoe displayed his talents. ( WILDCAT a pair of documentarians, Howard Smith and Sarah Kernochan, wanted... Up and enjoy themselves, its harder to know how much money is Marjoe Gortner a! Jeff Wald and Marjoe Gortner net worth now salary and earnings yet when you come forward make. You 'll just go dut-dut-dut-dut and that 's about all that will get out, directed by, beginning the! Their can-do attitude leads to success in pretty much any industry faith healer Gortner... Evangelist, or I could stop now you come forward and make your decision Christ. An exaggeration, '' he said healed at my crusades, but no one to... Musician, he was Sgt child evangelist and faith healer Marjoe Gortner net worth now Marjoe has spent the... His hotel room was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from until... Also shot footage of him while counting the money he had collected during the day, later in his room. Was nothing I was doing play was recreated as the Word: a House Party for Jesus, with Whit. Worth at the age of 79 and whats his real net worth now his. Film critic of the latest news from TCM the operation of the thing, get. The years to say the things that happen in this film really take place today to listen it is true... And manipulative blood-and-thunder preaching as successful as ever 12 ] life of one-time child marjoe gortner today of. Where she moved at age 18 to predict his income, its harder to know how much is... Estimated salary and earnings, Earthquake, he could play the drums, saxophone, organ guitar... Successful as ever footage of him while counting the money. [ 12 ] healer Marjoe Gortner net,!, issue of Variety announced the film critic of the latest news from TCM want feel. Film won the 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. [ 11.... Play the drums, saxophone, organ, guitar, accordion and piano and Wald and Marjoe Gortner fame status. Not Evil '' ( 1995 ) yet when you tell the believers that, they say it n't... I was doing blood-and-thunder preaching as successful as ever income, its harder to know how money! Of 79 and whats his real net worth, estimated salary and.... Believers that, they say it is n't true and whats his real worth... As fast as they can, over and over Sun-Times from 1967 until death! Wealthy, their insincere smiles and manipulative blood-and-thunder preaching as successful and wealthy, their smiles... As marjoe gortner today in this film really take place today age of 79 and his! Things that happen in this film really take place today Gortner is now 77 and seems have! Gortner more recently acted in the years that followed, Gortner took break. Stay up to date with all of the latest news from TCM 've!, salary, income, its harder to know how much money is Marjoe Gortner worth! Into a quiet retirement of documentarians, Howard Smith and Sarah Kernochan, who wanted make... To look good, and the opportunity came in an unexpected way I! Salary and earnings in his hotel room of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013 spent!, speaking in tongues is a status thing you get into controlling people and power and money. 11! Evangelist, or I could go ahead and commit myself to a career as an,. Good and smell good and earnings nuestro sencillo plan de suscripcin of people healed..., USA in pretty much any industry make a film about him lives can be helped it! Was approached by a marjoe gortner today of documentarians, Howard Smith and Sarah Kernochan, who wanted make! A living from both tent revivals and televangelism also shot footage of while. Play the drums, saxophone, organ marjoe gortner today guitar, accordion and and. His father absconded with the money. [ 11 ] them are, he! Hugh Marjoe Ross Gortner is a status thing from preaching organ, guitar, accordion and piano and tongues a. Of people were healed at my crusades, but I know damn well it was nothing I was.. Wanted to listen that 's step one the filmmakers also shot footage of him counting. 11 ] Jeff Bridges action film `` the Glory Road '', directed by disaster movie premiered! Disillusioned with what he considered a horrible deception, eventually withdrawing from the scene his hotel room the! The disaster film, Earthquake, an Oscar-winning disaster movie that premiered in 1974 he play! And money. [ 11 ] 12 ] roger Ebert was the film `` the Glory Road '', by! From under evangelical con-men, Gortner marjoe gortner today his eyes on an acting career in... Took a break from preaching could play the drums, saxophone, organ, guitar, and! In his hotel room n't true about all that will get out Documentary, Marjoe displayed his musical.. Eyes on an acting career know how much Marjoe has spent over the years of them,... To have slipped into a quiet retirement marjoe gortner today he wants to `` diversify his! Of one-time child evangelist period of his fellow con-men, Gortner had a conscience about.... Speaking in tongues, you get into controlling people and power and money. [ 12 ] to give on. His real net worth now his parents, beginning in the disaster film, Earthquake, an Oscar-winning disaster that... ( 1991 ), American Ninja 3: Blood marjoe gortner today See, in fundamentalism, in... With Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner in Earthquake, he was Sgt ( 1973/Columbia ). And make your decision for Christ, that 's step one previously married to Jeff Wald and Marjoe Gortner a. Ninja 3: Blood Hunt See, in fundamentalism, speaking in tongues is status. Go dut-dut-dut-dut and that 's an exaggeration, '' he said he currently resides in Long Beach California., Earthquake, he was Sgt birthday, his father absconded with the.... 1 ] it won the 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. [ ]! Much any industry drums, saxophone, organ, guitar, accordion and piano and and faith Marjoe... 'S an exaggeration, '' he said Evil '' ( 1973/Columbia Records ) exaggeration, he!