Shep Gordon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shep Gordon
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| Born | October 18, 1945 |
| Alma mater | University at Buffalo |
| Occupation | Talent manager, film agent, film producer |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Marcy Hanson
(m. 1980; div. 1982)Renée Loux
(m. 2005; div. 2011) |
| Children | Benjamin Gordon |
Shep E. Gordon, born on October 18, 1945, is a famous American talent manager. He also works as a film agent and producer in Hollywood. You can learn more about him in the 2013 documentary film, Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon. This movie was directed by Mike Myers.
Contents
Shep Gordon's Early Life and Education
Shep Gordon was born in 1945 in Jackson Heights, Queens, a part of New York City.
He went to the University at Buffalo and earned a degree in sociology in 1968. After college, he moved to Los Angeles, California. There, he started working as a probation officer.
Shep Gordon's Amazing Career
Shep Gordon has had a very interesting career. He has worked in music, food, and movies.
Managing Music Stars
Shep Gordon started managing the band Alice Cooper in 1968. He was introduced to them by Jimi Hendrix.
Over the years, Gordon managed many other famous musicians. These include Anne Murray, Blondie, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, and Pink Floyd. He also worked with Rick James, Pointer Sisters, and Willie Nelson.
Gordon also helped create some popular drinks. He partnered with Sammy Hagar to make Cabo Wabo Tequila. He also worked with Willie Nelson to create Old Whiskey River Bourbon.
Creating Celebrity Chefs
In 1993, Shep Gordon started a new company called Alive Culinary Resources. This was the first company to represent chefs as if they were movie stars. Many people say he helped make chefs famous.
He worked with many well-known chefs. Some of these include Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, and Nobu Matsuhisa.
Gordon also helped open famous restaurants. These include Tribeca Grill and Spice Market. He also partnered with Roy Yamaguchi for restaurants in Hawaii.
Producing Films
Shep Gordon's first movie as a producer was The Duellists in 1977. This film won an award at the Cannes Film Festival.
He then started one of the first independent film companies in the U.S., called Alive Films. They made movies like Roadie in 1980. Later, Alive Films partnered with Island Records. Together, they made and shared films such as Koyaanisqatsi and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Gordon also worked as an Executive Producer on other films. These include Wes Craven's Shocker and John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness.
In 2013, Mike Myers directed a documentary about Shep's life. It was called Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon. Famous people like Michael Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, and Alice Cooper were in the movie.
Shep Gordon wrote a book about his life. It is called They Call Me Supermensch: A Backstage Pass to the Amazing Worlds of Film, Food, and Rock 'n' Roll. The book was released on September 20, 2016. It became a New York Times Best Seller.
Awards and Honors
Shep Gordon has received many awards for his work.
- University at Buffalo Distinguished Alumni Award
- Hawaii Restaurant Association Hall Of Fame Inductee
- Maui Film Festival Maverick Award
- Fest Forward Lifetime Achievement Award
- National Conference of Personal Managers Hall of Fame Inductee
- Tibet Fund Friend of Tibet Award
- Hawaii European Cinema Maverick Award
- Hawaii Food And Wine Festival Honoree
- The Culinary Institute of America Leadership Award
Giving Back: Shep Gordon's Philanthropy
Shep Gordon cares a lot about helping others. He is on the board of the Tibet Fund with the Dalai Lama. He has even cooked for the Dalai Lama many times.
He helped arrange visits for the Dalai Lama to the University at Buffalo in 2006 and to Maui in 2007. Gordon also hosts a special dinner every year in Maui. Since 2008, this event has provided over 1,000,000 meals for people who need them.
He also serves on the boards of The Maui Arts and Cultural Center and Reel FX. In 2017, he became a trustee for The Culinary Institute of America.
Shep Gordon's Family Life
In 1973, Shep Gordon became close with a girl named Mia, the daughter of his girlfriend at the time. Their bond continued even after his relationship with Mia's mother ended. Sadly, Mia passed away in a car accident in 1991. After this, Gordon adopted Mia's four children: Monique, Chase, Amber, and Keira.
Shep Gordon married Katie McMillan in 2020. They had a son named Benjamin in 2021.
See also
In Spanish: Shep Gordon para niños
