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Lawrence Gordon has enjoyed a prolific and successful career in the entertainment industry spanning more than sixty years. Born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, he graduated from Tulane University. In the early 1960s, he moved to Los Angeles and began working as executive assistant to famed producer Aaron Spelling at Four Star Television, eventually becoming a writer and associate producer on several Spelling projects. He then served as head of West Coast talent development for ABC Television and later as an executive at Bob Banner Associates.
In 1968, Gordon joined American International Pictures (AIP) as Story Editor, advancing to Vice President of Development. He later became Executive Vice President at Screen Gems, the television division of Columbia Pictures, where he helped produce the classic TV movie "Brian’s Song" and the television adaptation of Leon Uris' bestseller "QB VII." Returning to AIP as the first Executive in charge of Worldwide Production, Gordon oversaw projects including Pam Grier’s iconic films "Coffy" and "Foxy Brown," John Milius’ directorial debut "Dillinger," and Ralph Bakshi’s groundbreaking animated film "Heavy Traffic," one of The New York Times’ top ten films of 1973. He also collaborated with legendary Roger Corman on several films.
Gordon left AIP to establish Lawrence Gordon Productions, launching Walter Hill’s directing career with 1975’s "Hard Times," starring Charles Bronson and James Coburn. Other notable 1970s films included "Rolling Thunder," "The End," "The Driver," and "Hooper," starring Burt Reynolds. The cult classic "The Warriors" also emerged from this period, inspiring a video game by Rockstar Studios and a Lin-Manuel Miranda concept album for a Broadway adaptation. The 1980s began with the cult hit "Xanadu," starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.
In 1982, Gordon reunited with Aaron Spelling to create and executive produce the long-running ABC series "Matt Houston." That same year, he originated the "buddy movie" genre with "48 Hrs.," featuring Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy in his film debut, directed by Walter Hill. The film spawned the sequel "Another 48 Hrs." and established a popular filmmaking formula pairing opposites. He followed with productions like "Streets of Fire" and the comedies "Brewster’s Millions" and "The End."
In 1984, Gordon became President and Chief Operating Officer of Twentieth Century Fox, initiating the studio’s enduring collaboration with James Cameron, who directed the 1986 hit "Aliens." This partnership later produced global blockbusters such as "Titanic" and the ongoing "Avatar" franchise. Gordon also played a key role in bringing James L. Brooks to Fox, where Brooks wrote and directed "Broadcast News," produced "The War of the Roses," executive produced Tom Hanks’ breakout "Big," and co-created the longest-running primetime TV series, "The Simpsons."
In 1986, Gordon produced "Lucas," which marked Winona Ryder’s film debut and featured Corey Haim and Charlie Sheen. That year he also gave Penny Marshall her first directing opportunity with "Jumpin’ Jack Flash," starring Whoopi Goldberg. Gordon’s stage productions include the 1986 Broadway musical "Smile," with music by Marvin Hamlisch and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, and the Off-Broadway revival of Joe Orton’s "Entertaining Mr. Sloane," which earned a Drama Desk Award.
Gordon produced the 1987 summer hit "Predator," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and its sequels, including the 2022 Emmy-nominated "Prey" directed by Dan Trachtenberg and the upcoming 2025 film "Badlands" starring Elle Fanning. In 1988, he produced the blockbuster "Die Hard," introducing Bruce Willis as an action star, followed by "Die Hard 2: Die Harder" in 1990, launching one of cinema’s most successful franchises.
In 1989, together with his brother Charles Gordon, he produced "Field of Dreams," starring Kevin Costner, Burt Lancaster, and James Earl Jones, and directed by Phil Alden Robinson. The Universal release earned multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and its title and iconic quote have become part of American culture. Gordon also produced "Family Business," directed by Sidney Lumet; the comedy hit "K-9"; "The Rocketeer" for Walt Disney Company; and "Lock Up," starring Sylvester Stallone.
That same year, Gordon founded Largo Entertainment with backing from Japan’s JVC, marking the first major Japanese investment in Hollywood, preceding Sony’s acquisition of Columbia Pictures and Matsushita’s purchase of Universal. As Chairman and CEO, he oversaw productions such as "Point Break," directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze; "Unlawful Entry," starring Kurt Russell; "Used People," featuring Shirley MacLaine and others; and "Timecop," starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Largo also co-financed and handled foreign distribution for Spike Lee’s acclaimed "Malcolm X," starring Denzel Washington.
In 1994, Gordon left Largo for a long-term producing deal with Universal Pictures. His first Universal production was the controversial but financially successful "Waterworld," starring Kevin Costner, which grossed over $300 million worldwide and continues to generate profits. The film inspired a live Waterworld show that has run for over 30 years at Universal Studios Hollywood and expanded to parks in Singapore, Osaka, and Beijing.
Other Lawrence Gordon Productions include "The Devil’s Own," starring Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt; the sci-fi thriller "Event Horizon"; "Mystery Men," with Ben Stiller and Geoffrey Rush; "K-PAX," starring Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey; and the critically acclaimed "Boogie Nights," directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Gordon also produced the blockbuster "Tomb Raider" and its sequel, starring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, the first major female-led action films. In 2004 and 2008, he produced Guillermo del Toro’s "Hellboy" films, followed by Zack Snyder’s adaptation of the graphic novel "Watchmen" in 2009. More recently, he executive produced the well-received Netflix documentary "Bill Russell: Legend," chronicling the life of the basketball pioneer.
In recognition of his achievements, Gordon received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Tulane University in 2016, the ShoWest Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Producers Guild of America’s David O. Selznick Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served on the Boards of the Producers Guild of America, the American Film Institute, and was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors.
