Home / Arts and Entertainment / Child Preacher to Actor: Marjoe Gortner Dies at 82
Child Preacher to Actor: Marjoe Gortner Dies at 82
4 Oct
Summary
- Marjoe Gortner, subject of an Oscar-winning documentary, passed away.
- He transitioned from a child evangelical preacher to an actor.
- Gortner hosted celebrity sports events for charity, raising millions.
Marjoe Gortner, whose life as a child evangelical preacher was immortalized in the Oscar-winning documentary "Marjoe," died on Friday at the age of 82. His wife confirmed his passing in Santa Fe, New Mexico, following a battle with congestive heart failure. Gortner's early life was marked by his parents' push for him to become a child preacher, traveling the country and soliciting donations from an early age.
Disillusioned with the evangelical movement in his twenties, Gortner pursued an acting career in New York. In 1971, he allowed documentarians to film his final revival tour, a move that led to the acclaimed film "Marjoe." The documentary captured significant attention and won an Academy Award for best documentary.
Following the film's success, Gortner transitioned into acting, appearing in numerous films and television series. He often played edgy characters, including roles in "Earthquake" and "Wild Bill." Beyond his acting, Gortner was recognized for his extensive charity work, producing celebrity sports events that raised millions for various causes.
