Marjoe Gortner was born on January 14, 1944, in California, and from a very young age, it was clear that he had a gift for speaking. His parents, who were deeply involved in the evangelical movement, began teaching Marjoe the art of preaching at an early age. By the time he was four years old, he had already received his ordination as a preacher. This early start set the stage for what would become a remarkable and controversial career.
As a child preacher, Gortner quickly gained fame within the Christian Revivalist movement. He traveled across the United States, captivating audiences with his passionate sermons and charismatic presence. His parents, eager to capitalize on his talent, instructed him to tell the public that he had experienced a heavenly vision during a near-drowning incident in the bath. This embellishment only added to his mystique and helped to propel him to even greater heights of fame.
Despite his success as a young preacher, Gortner's life took an unexpected turn when he became the subject of the Academy Award-winning documentary film, "Marjoe." The film, released in 1972, exposed the behind-the-scenes world of the revivalist circuit and revealed the manipulation and exploitation that often went hand-in-hand with the business of preaching. Gortner's candid confession of his own doubts and struggles with faith shocked audiences and forever changed his public image.
After the release of the documentary, Gortner briefly retired from preaching and turned his attention to acting. He appeared in several B-movies, such as "The Food of the Gods" and "The Gun and the Pulpit," before landing a role in the disaster film "Earthquake" alongside Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner.
Gortner's relationship with his family was fraught with conflict and betrayal. His father, Vernon Gortner, who served as his manager and mentor during his early years as a preacher, embezzled the millions of dollars that Marjoe had earned on the revivalist circuit. This betrayal shattered their relationship and led to Marjoe's decision to part ways with his family and pursue a career in Hollywood.
In 1979, Marjoe Gortner married screen actress Candy Clark, but their union was short-lived. Despite the turmoil in his personal life, Gortner continued to pursue his acting career and appeared in a variety of film and television roles throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Today, Marjoe Gortner's legacy as a child prodigy preacher and documentary star is a complex and often controversial one. His early success and subsequent fall from grace serve as a cautionary tale about the perils of fame and the pressures of living up to others' expectations.
Related links