Mark Gordon AKA Chuckles The Clown Has Died - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-08-2010, 11:34 PM

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...r+-+Television)

Mark Gordon, a veteran actor on film, TV and stage who was a key figure in the improvisational theater movement, died Aug. 12 of lung cancer in New York. He was 84.

Gordon's credits include the Woody Allen films "Take the Money and Run" (1969), "Don't Drink the Water" (1969) and "Sleeper" (1973), roles on such soap operas as "The Edge of Night" and "As the World Turns" and a one-episode stint on "Mary Tyler Moore" as Chuckles the Clown.

Gordon was workshop director and an actor in the famed Chicago-based Compass Players (which later became Second City), working alongside the likes of Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Barbara Harris and his wife of 52 years, Barbara Glenn Gordon.

With May, he continued in New York at the Premise, whose improvisational company that included Peter Boyle and Louise Lasser. Gordon also appeared in "A New Leaf," a 1971 comedy written and directed by May, and had the lead in her off-Broadway hit "Adaptation/Next," which opened in 1969.

Gordon served as a visiting professor at Carnegie-Mellon University, Finch College and Columbia University and was an acting coach at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. He taught private classes for more than 20 years.

A lifelong New Yorker, Gordon appeared in more than 30 plays on Broadway and off, including "Of Mice and Men" with James Earl Jones, "The Devils," "Compulsion" and "Desire Under the Elms." Off-Broadway, he played Willie in a production of "The Iceman Cometh" at the Circle in the Square.

Regionally, he toured with the national companies of "Mr. Roberts" and "Critic's Choice" and starred for six months in the Chicago production of Harold Pinter's "The Caretaker." He directed the 1968 Broadway comedy "Before You Go" and helmed numerous off-Broadway plays as well.

Gordon's credits also include "The Nickel Ride" (1974) and William Peter Blatty's "The Ninth Configuration" (1980) on film and "Hawaii Five-0," "Cannon" and "Starsky & Hutch" on television.

Three actors -- including Gordon in a 1973 episode -- played Chuckles the Clown on "Mary Tyler Moore." The character was not seen in the 1975 classic episode "Chuckles Bites the Dust" in which Moore succumbs to fits of laughter and then sobbing during the clown's funeral.

Gordon's survivors include his son, director-writer Keith Gordon, and sister Rose Gordon Vachio. The family asks that donations be made to the Lung Cancer Alliance.

Marvo301 · 09-09-2010, 12:22 AM

Mark Gordon

Chuckles the Clown's motto: A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.

catlover79 · 09-09-2010, 02:31 AM

PGood97041 · 09-09-2010, 11:35 AM

There were three Chuckles?
Who knew!?

Sorry to hear about Mr. Gordon's passing; seems as though his was a life well-lived, though.

Thanks for the frame grab, brian damage, so we could see which one he was.

SpunkiiMonkii7078 · 09-10-2010, 12:46 AM

R.I.P.

catlover79 · 09-10-2010, 02:24 AM

Wasn't Richard Schaal (Howard Arnell, also Val Harper's husband at the time) another of the actors who played Chuckles?

ClassicTVGal · 09-11-2010, 06:59 PM

I am so sorry to hear that.
May God be with his family during this time.

*Rest In Peace*

ClassicTVGal · 09-11-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Wasn't Richard Schaal (Howard Arnell, also Val Harper's husband at the time) another of the actors who played Chuckles?

Yes, I thought he had too.
And HE is actually in the picture above! lol

That is from "The Snow Must Go On".

According to imdb.com, he was in one episode as CTC, and that was, "Son Of 'But Seriously, Folks".

catlover79 · 09-12-2010, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicTVGal

Yes, I thought he had too.
And HE is actually in the picture above! lol

That is from "The Snow Must Go On".

According to imdb.com, he was in one episode as CTC, and that was, "Son Of 'But Seriously, Folks".

Thanks!!!

ClassicTVGal · 09-12-2010, 07:46 PM

You're welcome.

I had either never known that Richard S. was married to Valerie or *completely* forgot! lol I'm sure I had heard it before, and just forgot.

catlover79 · 09-12-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicTVGal

I had either never known that Richard S. was married to Valerie or *completely* forgot! lol I'm sure I had heard it before, and just forgot.

Well, they've been divorced for over 30 years, so I can't blame you if you never knew or if it slipped your mind. Not only did he play the Arnell brothers on TMTMS and Joe's buddy on Rhoda, he played one of Carol's goofy boyfriends on The Bob Newhart Show (as well as a different character - the husband of Bob's old girlfriend).

09-08-2010, 11:34 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Mark Gordon AKA Chuckles The Clown Has Died http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...r+-+Television) Mark Gordon, a veteran actor on film, TV and stage who was a key figure in the improvisational theater movement, died Aug. 12 of lung cancer in New York. He was 84. Gordon's credits include the Woody Allen films "Take the Money and Run" (1969), "Don't Drink the Water" (1969) and "Sleeper" (1973), roles on such soap operas as "The Edge of Night" and "As the World Turns" and a one-episode stint on "Mary Tyler Moore" as Chuckles the Clown. Gordon was workshop director and an actor in the famed Chicago-based Compass Players (which later became Second City), working alongside the likes of Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Barbara Harris and his wife of 52 years, Barbara Glenn Gordon. With May, he continued in New York at the Premise, whose improvisational company that included Peter Boyle and Louise Lasser. Gordon also appeared in "A New Leaf," a 1971 comedy written and directed by May, and had the lead in her off-Broadway hit "Adaptation/Next," which opened in 1969. Gordon served as a visiting professor at Carnegie-Mellon University, Finch College and Columbia University and was an acting coach at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. He taught private classes for more than 20 years. A lifelong New Yorker, Gordon appeared in more than 30 plays on Broadway and off, including "Of Mice and Men" with James Earl Jones, "The Devils," "Compulsion" and "Desire Under the Elms." Off-Broadway, he played Willie in a production of "The Iceman Cometh" at the Circle in the Square. Regionally, he toured with the national companies of "Mr. Roberts" and "Critic's Choice" and starred for six months in the Chicago production of Harold Pinter's "The Caretaker." He directed the 1968 Broadway comedy "Before You Go" and helmed numerous off-Broadway plays as well. Gordon's credits also include "The Nickel Ride" (1974) and William Peter Blatty's "The Ninth Configuration" (1980) on film and "Hawaii Five-0," "Cannon" and "Starsky & Hutch" on television. Three actors -- including Gordon in a 1973 episode -- played Chuckles the Clown on "Mary Tyler Moore." The character was not seen in the 1975 classic episode "Chuckles Bites the Dust" in which Moore succumbs to fits of laughter and then sobbing during the clown's funeral. Gordon's survivors include his son, director-writer Keith Gordon, and sister Rose Gordon Vachio. The family asks that donations be made to the Lung Cancer Alliance. Attached Images
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09-09-2010, 12:22 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Mark Gordon Chuckles the Clown's motto: A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.
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09-09-2010, 02:31 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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09-10-2010, 12:46 AM	#5
SpunkiiMonkii7078 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 20, 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 784	R.I.P.
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09-09-2010, 11:35 AM	#4
PGood97041 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 747	There were three Chuckles? Who knew!? Sorry to hear about Mr. Gordon's passing; seems as though his was a life well-lived, though. Thanks for the frame grab, brian damage, so we could see which one he was.

09-10-2010, 02:24 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Wasn't Richard Schaal (Howard Arnell, also Val Harper's husband at the time) another of the actors who played Chuckles?

09-11-2010, 06:59 PM	#7
ClassicTVGal Traveler Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 26, 2004 Posts: 3,457	I am so sorry to hear that. May God be with his family during this time. Rest In Peace

09-12-2010, 07:46 PM	#10
ClassicTVGal Traveler Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 26, 2004 Posts: 3,457	You're welcome. I had either never known that Richard S. was married to Valerie or completely forgot! lol I'm sure I had heard it before, and just forgot.