Wissenswertes

He was a member of the L.A. Rebellion, a group of African American U.C.L.A. film school graduates who came of age in the late 1970s in the era of the so-called Blaxploitation era. The group's defining aesthetic was to move beyond the pimp stereotypes and funk soundtracks in film portrayals of African Americans.

He was one of the few African American members of the Directors Guild of America but found the organization to be insular like the rest of the film industry.

He served in the United States Air Force. After his service, he attended a community college film program which led him to University of California film School at the Los Angeles, California location. He made three films before graduation with highest honors.

He was a fan of Billy Wilder films and wanted to make popular and serious films himself.

He is survived by his three daughters, Tracey Gordon, Twyla Gordon Louis, and Katina Gordon Scott; a son, Michael Gordon; his parents, Robert Gordon and Beatrice Gordon; two brothers, Joseph Gordon and Robert Gordon; a sister, Carmen Gordon Sanford; and nine grandchildren.

Cousin of Ray Wolfe.

He was one of five children to Robert Gordon and Beatrice Gordon who moved from Jackson, Mississippi to Los Angeles, California when he was a child. His father was an electrician.

Father of Katina Gordon Fanaka and Twyla Gordon Fanaka.