Gordon Scott
Encyclopedia
Gordon Scott was an American film and television actor known for his portrayal of the fictional character Tarzan
in five films (and one compilation of three made-as-a-pilot television episodes) of the Tarzan film series from 1955 to 1960.
, Oregon
, one of nine children of advertising man Stanley Werschkul and his wife Alice. Scott was raised in Oregon and attended the University of Oregon
, located in Eugene
, Oregon, for one semester.
Upon leaving school, he was drafted into the United States Army
in 1944 serving as a drill sergeant and military police
man until he was honorably discharged in 1947. He then worked at a variety of jobs until 1953, when he was spotted by a talent agent
while working as a lifeguard at the Sahara Hotel and Casino, located on the Las Vegas Strip
in Nevada
.
as Tarzan
by producer Sol Lesser. Lesser had Gordon change his name because "Werschkul" sounded too much like "Weismueller".
Scott's Tarzan movies ranged from rather cheap re-edited television pilots to large-scale action films with high-production values. In his early Tarzan films, he played the character as unworldly and inarticulate, in the mold of Johnny Weissmuller
, an earlier Tarzan portrayer. In Scott's later films, after a change in producers, he played a Tarzan who was educated and spoke perfect English, as in the original Edgar Rice Burroughs
novels. Scott was the only actor to play Tarzan in both styles.
Fearing he would become typecast as Tarzan, Scott moved to Italy
and became a popular star of what were known as sword-and-sandal epics, featuring handsome bodybuilders as various characters from Greek and Roman myth.
Scott was a friend of Hercules
star Steve Reeves
, and collaborated with him as Remus
to Reeves's Romulus
in Duel of the Titans (1961). Scott also played Hercules in a couple of low-budget productions during the mid-1960s. His final film appearance was in The Tramplers
(filmed in 1966; released in the United States in 1968).
, from 1954 to 1959. He had one son, Michael, born 1957, with Miles, and possibly several other children.
His first marriage was with Janice Mae Wynkoop, of Oakland, California. They met when he was a lifeguard at Lake Temescal
, located in Oakland
, California
. The couple married in Reno
, Nevada
, in 1948, and had one child, Karen Judith Werschkul (born August 26, 1948), before divorcing in 1949.
For the last two decades of his life, Scott was a popular guest at film conventions and autograph shows.
, Maryland
, of lingering complications from multiple heart surgeries earlier in the year.
He is buried in the Kensico Cemetery
, located in Valhalla
, New York
.
Tarzan
Tarzan is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungles by the Mangani "great apes"; he later experiences civilization only to largely reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer...
in five films (and one compilation of three made-as-a-pilot television episodes) of the Tarzan film series from 1955 to 1960.
Early life, education and military service
He was born Gordon Merrill Werschkul in PortlandPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, one of nine children of advertising man Stanley Werschkul and his wife Alice. Scott was raised in Oregon and attended the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, located in Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, Oregon, for one semester.
Upon leaving school, he was drafted into the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1944 serving as a drill sergeant and military police
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
man until he was honorably discharged in 1947. He then worked at a variety of jobs until 1953, when he was spotted by a talent agent
Talent agent
A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, film directors, musicians, models, producers, professional athletes, writers and other people in various entertainment businesses. Having an agent is not required, but does help the artist in getting jobs...
while working as a lifeguard at the Sahara Hotel and Casino, located on the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
in Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
.
Career
Due in part to his muscular frame and 6 in 3 in (1.91 m) height, he was quickly signed to replace Lex BarkerLex Barker
Lex Barker was an American actor best known for playing Tarzan of the Apes and leading characters from Karl May's novels.-Early life:...
as Tarzan
Tarzan
Tarzan is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungles by the Mangani "great apes"; he later experiences civilization only to largely reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer...
by producer Sol Lesser. Lesser had Gordon change his name because "Werschkul" sounded too much like "Weismueller".
Scott's Tarzan movies ranged from rather cheap re-edited television pilots to large-scale action films with high-production values. In his early Tarzan films, he played the character as unworldly and inarticulate, in the mold of Johnny Weissmuller
Johnny Weissmuller
Johnny Weissmuller was an Austro-Hungarian-born American swimmer and actor best known for playing Tarzan in movies. Weissmuller was one of the world's best swimmers in the 1920s, winning five Olympic gold medals and one bronze medal. He won fifty-two US National Championships and set sixty-seven...
, an earlier Tarzan portrayer. In Scott's later films, after a change in producers, he played a Tarzan who was educated and spoke perfect English, as in the original Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic Mars adventurer John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.-Biography:...
novels. Scott was the only actor to play Tarzan in both styles.
Fearing he would become typecast as Tarzan, Scott moved to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and became a popular star of what were known as sword-and-sandal epics, featuring handsome bodybuilders as various characters from Greek and Roman myth.
Scott was a friend of Hercules
Hercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
star Steve Reeves
Steve Reeves
Stephen L. Reeves was an American bodybuilder and actor. At the peak of his career, he was the highest-paid actor in Europe.-Childhood:...
, and collaborated with him as Remus
Remus
Remus is the twin brother of the mythical founder of Rome.Remus may also refer to:* Remus , a fictional planet in Star Trek* Remus , a moon of the asteroid 87 Sylvia...
to Reeves's Romulus
Romulus
- People:* Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome* Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor* Valerius Romulus , deified son of the Roman emperor Maxentius* Romulus , son of the Western Roman emperor Anthemius...
in Duel of the Titans (1961). Scott also played Hercules in a couple of low-budget productions during the mid-1960s. His final film appearance was in The Tramplers
Gli uomini dal passo pesante
The Tramplers is a 1965 Italian Spaghetti Western film directed by Albert Band and Mario Sequi based on the novel Guns of North Texas by Will Cook.-Story:...
(filmed in 1966; released in the United States in 1968).
Personal life
Scott was married apparently three times, including once to his Tarzan co-star, actress Vera MilesVera Miles
Vera Miles is an American film actress who gained popularity for starring in films such as The Searchers, The Wrong Man, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Psycho and Psycho II.-Early life:...
, from 1954 to 1959. He had one son, Michael, born 1957, with Miles, and possibly several other children.
His first marriage was with Janice Mae Wynkoop, of Oakland, California. They met when he was a lifeguard at Lake Temescal
Lake Temescal
Lake Temescal is a small lake in the northeastern hills section of Oakland, California. It is the centerpiece of Temescal Regional Park...
, located in Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The couple married in Reno
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, in 1948, and had one child, Karen Judith Werschkul (born August 26, 1948), before divorcing in 1949.
For the last two decades of his life, Scott was a popular guest at film conventions and autograph shows.
Death
Scott died, aged 80, in BaltimoreBaltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, of lingering complications from multiple heart surgeries earlier in the year.
He is buried in the Kensico Cemetery
Kensico Cemetery
Kensico Cemetery, located in Valhalla, Westchester County, New York, was founded in 1889, when many New York City cemeteries were becoming full, and rural cemeteries were being created near the railroads which served the city...
, located in Valhalla
Valhalla, New York
Valhalla is an unincorporated hamlet and census-designated place that is located within the town of Mount Pleasant, New York, in Westchester County. Its population was 3,162 at the 2010 U.S. Census...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Tarzan films
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Tarzan's Hidden Jungle Tarzan's Hidden Jungle Tarzan's Hidden Jungle is a 1955 RKO B&W movie starring Gordon Scott in his first film as Tarzan, taking over the role from Lex Barker, who had in turn followed Johnny Weismuller in the series. This film about Edgar Rice Burroughs' ape-man also features Vera Miles and Jack Elam, and was directed... |
|
| 1957 | Tarzan and the Lost Safari Tarzan and the Lost Safari Tarzan and the Lost Safari is an action adventure film featuring Edgar Rice Burroughs' famous jungle hero Tarzan and starring Gordon Scott, Robert Beatty, Yolande Donlan and Betta St. John. The movie was directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, and was the first Tarzan movie released in color, Eastman... |
the first Tarzan film successfully shot and released in color |
| 1958 | Tarzan's Fight for Life Tarzan's Fight for Life Tarzan's Fight for Life is an action adventure film featuring Edgar Rice Burroughs' famous jungle hero Tarzan It stars Gordon Scott, Eve Brent, Rickie Sorensen, Jil Jarmyn, and Cheeta the chimpanzee. The movie was directed by H. Bruce Humberstone... |
|
| 1959 | Tarzan's Greatest Adventure Tarzan's Greatest Adventure Tarzan's Greatest Adventure is a 1959 adventure film directed by John Guillermin, produced by Sy Weintraub and Harvey Hayutin, and written by Les Crutchfield . The film features a literate Tarzan portrayed by Gordon Scott. The character of Jane does not appear. Cheeta only appears a few times... |
|
| 1960 | Tarzan the Magnificent Tarzan the Magnificent Tarzan the Magnificent is a 1960 British film, the follow-up to Tarzan's Greatest Adventure . It was directed by Robert Day and produced by Sy Weintraub. Gordon Scott makes his last appearance as Tarzan while Jock Mahoney appeared as villain Coy Banton... |
Scott's successor in the Tarzan role, Jock Mahoney Jock Mahoney Jock Mahoney was an American actor and stuntman of Irish, French, and Cherokee ancestry. Born Jacques O'Mahoney, he was credited variously as Jock Mahoney, Jack O'Mahoney or Jock O'Mahoney. He starred in two television series, both westerns... , played the villain |
Other roles
| Year | Title | Genre | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Duel of the Titans (also known as Romolo e Remo) |
Remus Remus Remus is the twin brother of the mythical founder of Rome.Remus may also refer to:* Remus , a fictional planet in Star Trek* Remus , a moon of the asteroid 87 Sylvia... |
||
| 1962 | Gladiator of Rome Gladiator of Rome Gladiator of Rome is a 1962 Italian adventure film directed by Mario Costa. Co-written by Gian Paolo Callegari and Giuseppe Mariani, it stars Gordon Scott.The film is also known as Battles of the Gladiators in the United Kingdom.- Cast :... (also known as Il gladiatore di Roma) |
Marcus | ||
| 1962 | A Queen for Caesar Una regina per Cesare Una regina per Cesare is a historical drama film set in Egypt in 48 BC. Unlike other films about Caesar and Cleopatra, this film focuses entirely on the dynastic struggle within Egypt leading up to the arrival of Caesar, and in fact, we only see him in the closing scene of the film when he... (also known as Una regina per Cesare) |
historical drama film Drama film A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women... |
Julius Caesar Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.... |
|
| 1963 | L'eroe di Babilonia | adventure film Adventure film Adventure films are a genre of film.Unlike pure, low-budget action films they often use their action scenes preferably to display and explore exotic locations in an energetic way.... |
Nippur | |
| 1964 | Buffalo Bill, Hero of the Far West Buffalo Bill, Hero of the Far West Buffalo Bill, Hero of the Far West is a 1965 Italian spaghetti western directed by Mario Costa.-Story:... (also known as Buffalo Bill, l'eroe del far wes) |
spaghetti western Spaghetti Western Spaghetti Western, also known as Italo-Western, is a nickname for a broad sub-genre of Western films that emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's unique and much copied film-making style and international box-office success, so named by American critics because most were produced and... |
Colonel William "Buffalo Bill" Cody Buffalo Bill William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a United States soldier, bison hunter and showman. He was born in the Iowa Territory , in LeClaire but lived several years in Canada before his family moved to the Kansas Territory. Buffalo Bill received the Medal of Honor in 1872 for service to the US... |
|
| 1964 | Hero of Rome Hero of Rome Hero of Rome is a 1964 historical drama film set in Rome in 509 BC, and depicts the expulsion of the last kings of Rome and the legend of Gaius Mucius Scaevola.The film was directed by Giorgio Ferroni.-Cast:... (also known as Il colosso di Roma) |
historical drama film Drama film A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women... |
Gaius Mucius Scaevola | |
| 1965 | Hercules and the Princess of Troy Hercules and the Princess of Troy Hercules and the Princess of Troy is a 1965 Italian fantasy film adventure directed by Albert Band.-Cast:*Gordon Scott ... Hercules*Paul Stevens ... Diogenes*Mart Hulswit ... Ulysses*Diana Hyland ... Princess Diana*Steve Garrett ... Petra... |
fantasy film Fantasy film Fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science fiction film and horror film, although the genres do overlap... |
Hercules Hercules Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene... |
|
| 1967 | Danger!! Death Ray Danger!! Death Ray Danger!! Death Ray is an 1967 Italian Eurospy secret agent spy film. It was released at a time when the James Bond films, and spy films in general, were very popular internationally. Its original Italian title was Il Raggio infernale, which translates as "The Infernal Beam", and it was also... |
spy film Spy film The spy film genre deals with the subject of fictional espionage, either in a realistic way or as a basis for fantasy . Many novels in the spy fiction genre have been adapted as films, including works by John Buchan, John Le Carré, Ian Fleming and Len Deighton... |
Bart Fargo | |
| 1966 | Tarzan and the Trappers Tarzan and the Trappers Tarzan and the Trappers is an action adventure film featuring Edgar Rice Burroughs' famous jungle hero Tarzan and starring Gordon Scott, Eve Brent, Rickie Sorensen and Lesley Bradley... |
failed television pilot Television pilot A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an... ; filmed in 1958, not shown on television until 1966 |
||
| 1968 | The Tramplers Gli uomini dal passo pesante The Tramplers is a 1965 Italian Spaghetti Western film directed by Albert Band and Mario Sequi based on the novel Guns of North Texas by Will Cook.-Story:... (also known as Gli uomini dal passo pesante) |
spaghetti western Spaghetti Western Spaghetti Western, also known as Italo-Western, is a nickname for a broad sub-genre of Western films that emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's unique and much copied film-making style and international box-office success, so named by American critics because most were produced and... |
Lon Cordeen |
See also
- List of Italian actors
- List of people from Maryland
- List of people from Oregon
- List of University of Oregon alumni
External links
- Gordon Scott's final newspaper interview
- Gordon Scott tribute http://www.erbzine.com/scott/