Marjoe Gortner, the celebrity child preacher who later helped expose the financial and psychological manipulations behind evangelical revival preaching, has died at the age of 82. According to his wife, Susan Magestro, Gortner passed away on Friday in Santa Fe, New Mexico, following a long battle with congestive heart failure.
Gortner’s life spanned a rare and dramatic trajectory: from a toddler ordained into the Pentecostal ministry by his parents to a disillusioned young adult who pulled back the curtain on tent-revival scams. Later, he carved out a successful career as a film and television actor.
Early Life and Exploitation as a Child Preacher
Born Hugh Marjoe Ross Gortner on January 14, 1944, in Long Beach, California, his very name combined “Mary” and “Joseph.” Coming from a four-generation lineage of ministers, Gortner exhibited an unusual talent for public speaking at an exceptionally early age. His parents, evangelical minister Vernon Gortner and mother Margaret (known as “Sister Marge”), seized on his capabilities.
Trained meticulously by his mother, four-year-old Gortner performed a marriage ceremony for a Paramount newsreel. This cemented his status as a national curiosity. Dressed in a white suit, cowboy boots, and blond curls, he delivered fiery, gyrating sermons warning congregations of damnation. The family’s tent-revival tours amassed an estimated fortune of $3 million. Much of this money vanished when his father absconded shortly before Gortner turned 16, as Gortner later stated.
The Oscar-Winning Exposure of Revival Deception
Disillusioned by his upbringing and the financial exploitation he witnessed firsthand, Gortner left the ministry during his youth and moved to New York to pursue acting. However, struggling to find steady work, he temporarily returned to the revival circuit in 1971 for one final tour. This time, he granted unprecedented access to a documentary film crew.
Directed by Howard Smith and Sarah Kernochan, the 1972 documentary titled Marjoe captured Gortner openly detailing the psychological tactics, emotional triggers, and monetary tricks used to fleece regular churchgoers. The film featured stark scenes of Gortner counting his nightly cash collections in hotel rooms while discussing how he modeled his performance style after rock icon Mick Jagger.
The documentary debuted at the Cannes Film Festival to massive acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Film critic Roger Ebert noted the electric response the project generated, while Vincent Canby of The New York Times highlighted its sharp look behind the scenes of religious pageantry.
Transition to Acting and Charity Work
Following the release of the documentary and his spoken-word record Bad, but Not Evil, Gortner signed a contract with Universal Pictures. He established a recognizable screen presence through the 1973 telefilm The Marcus-Nelson Murders (which served as the pilot for the CBS series Kojak). He also portrayed unhinged grocery store manager turned National Guardsman Sgt. Jody Joad in the 1974 disaster epic Earthquake.
His diverse acting credits spanned numerous genres throughout the 1970s and 1980s:
- When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder? (1979) as a hostile Vietnam veteran
- Bobbie Joe and the Outlaw (1976) alongside Lynda Carter
- Starcrash (1978) in a low-budget space opera role
- Falcon Crest (1986-1987) playing faux psychic medium Vince Karlotti across 17 episodes
- Television appearances including Police Story, The A-Team, Fantasy Island, and Airwolf
Later in life, Gortner pivoted toward large-scale philanthropic efforts. He produced celebrity sports invitationals and Circus of the Stars television specials that raised millions of dollars for various charities.
He is survived by his fifth wife, Susan Magestro, whom he married in 2019. He was previously married to actress Candy Clark in the late 1970s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Marjoe Gortner?
Marjoe Gortner was an American actor and former child evangelist. He gained widespread fame after starring in the Oscar-winning 1972 documentary Marjoe, which exposed the manipulative practices of revival preachers.
How did Marjoe Gortner get his name?
His first name is a portmanteau created by his parents, combining the biblical names “Mary” and “Joseph.”
What was the documentary Marjoe about?
The 1972 documentary followed Gortner on his final revival tour. During the film, he openly explained to filmmakers how he and other evangelists used theatrical tricks and emotional manipulation to extract money from church congregations.
What acting roles was Marjoe Gortner known for?
He was recognized for his roles in the disaster film Earthquake (1974), the drama When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder? (1979), the sci-fi feature Starcrash (1978), and a recurring role on the primetime soap opera Falcon Crest.
When and how did Marjoe Gortner die?
Marjoe Gortner died on Friday at age 82 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, due to complications from congestive heart failure.
