- Born
- Died
- Birth nameIrving Kunin Gordon
- A stage actor and director, Michael Gordon broke into films in 1940 as a dialogue director, then became a film editor. He directed his first feature in 1942. He started out with low-budget crime thrillers, but in the late 1940s and early 1950s turned out several well-crafted dramas, notably Cyrano de Bergerac (1950), which garnered José Ferrer an Academy Award. His career was interrupted, however, by the anti-Communist hysteria in the 1950s, led by Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Because of Gordon's early affiliation with several leftist organizations, he was accused of Communist leanings by the Red-baiting politicians of the era, and found himself blacklisted and unable to obtain work. He made one film in Australia, then returned to the U.S. Gordon started getting jobs again in the late 1950s, and this time, instead of turning out the tight, gritty little dramas he was known for, did a complete 180 and worked on glossy, big-budget mainstream comedies. He was, however, responsible for what is arguably Doris Day's best vehicle, the stylish Pillow Talk (1959).- IMDb Mini Biography By: frankfob2@yahoo.com
- SpouseElizabeth A Cohn(December 23, 1933 - July 17, 1991) (her death, 3 children)
- RelativesJoseph Gordon-Levitt(Grandchild)Dan Gordon-Levitt(Grandchild)
- Grandfather of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dan Gordon-Levitt.
- Was blacklisted in the 1950s.
- Directed 3 actors to Oscar nominations: José Ferrer (Best Actor, Cyrano de Bergerac (1950)), Doris Day (Best Actress, Pillow Talk (1959)), and Thelma Ritter (Best Supporting Actress, Pillow Talk (1959)). Ferrer won an Oscar for his performance in Gordon's film.
- Attended the Yale Drama School with Elia Kazan in the 1930s.
- Directed José Ferrer in his Oscar-winning performance as Cyrano de Bergerac (1950). His grandson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, was first known for appearing on 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996), which featured a guest appearance by Miguel Ferrer.
- Comedy is the most serious tragedy in the world. Play it that way and you can't go wrong. If you ever think of yourself as funny, you haven't got a chance.
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