Products You May Like
Deadline has learned that Jack Gordon, veteran MGM International Distribution President, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 16 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 90.
Gordon, born in Brooklyn, New York on March 13, 1929, was the son of Oscar winning American composer and lyricist, Mack Gordon, who had won Best Original Song for “You’ll Never Know” from the 1943 H. Bruce Humberstone movie Hello Frisco, Hello
Gordon joined MGM as an interim employee in the 16mm department shortly after returning from active U.S. Army duty in the Korean War. During his 44-year career he served under studio heads Nicholas Schenck, Dore Schary, Robert O’Brien, James T. Aubrey, David Begelman, Alan Ladd, Jr. and Frank Mancuso.
He began in the studio’s distribution department in the mid 1950’s and in 1972 he was appointed VP of MGM International. He was promoted to EVP in 1979. After MGM merged with United Artists in 1981, he became SVP of International Distribution. Gordon was then named president of MGM/UA International two years later. He retired in 1997 after a 44-year run at the studio. Gordon was instrumental in leading MGM’s accession into pay TV and the home video revolution. He was a life-long New York Yankees fan.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Doris, three children, Wayne Gordon, Melissa Gordon Clark, Dean Gordon and nine grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at Noon Friday, Feb. 21, at Hillside Memorial Park.