NYPD Blue

Background:

Solid, ordinary-looking character actor with a stiff stare and a somewhat tough, apologetic expression, Gordon Clapp is most famous as the Emmy winner and Tony nominee who fascinated audiences with his roles as the insecure detective Greg Medavoy in the acclaimed but controversial ABC police series “NYPD Blue” (1993-2005, won a 1998 Emmy Award) and as loudmouth instigator Dave Moss in the 2005 Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of David Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross.”

First achieved experience as an actor in regional Canadian productions of Shakespeare plays and other works, the New Hampshire native hit national notice for his effort in a landmark film by critically acclaimed independent director John Sayles, Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980), where he memorably portrayed senator’s assistant Chip Hollister. Later, he rejoined Sayles in Matewan (1987), Eight Men Out (1988) and Sunshine State (2002, opposite Edie Falco and Angela Bassett). He also has played supporting roles in many features, including The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999), the runaway success Rules of Engagement (2000), Skeletons in the Closet (2001) and Moonlight Mile (2002). A regular face on television, Clapp is also known for playing roles in such productions as Small Sacrifices (1989), Bonds of Love (1993) and The Morrison Murders (1996).

Privately speaking, Clapp is the husband of screen beauty Deborah Taylor. The couple has an 18-year-old son named William.


New Hampshire

Childhood and Family:

In North Conway, New Hampshire, Gordon Clapp was born on September 24, 1948. He was educated at South Kent High School, Connecticut, and received a degree in English from Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts. He also studied drama in Canada.

Gordon is married to actress Deborah Taylor, who played his on-screen wife on “NYPD Blue.” They share a son named William (born in 1988). In his leisure time, Gordon enjoys playing golf and hanging out with friends in the Chicago Bears.


Return of the Secaucus Seven

Career:

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Gordon Clapp took his acting training in Canada, and spent much of his early career there, where he acted in regional and Toronto Theater as well as became a company member of Ottawa’s premiere National Arts Centre. For his work in “Termini Station” at the Toronto Free Theater, he was handed a Dora Moore nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play.

In 1979, Clapp made his feature film debut with a bit part in the Canadian drama Running, starring Michael Douglas, and landed a larger role in The Return of the Secaucus Seven, the next year, which marked his first partnership with writer-director John Sayles. There, he gave a memorable turn as a senator’s assistant named Chip Hollister. Clapp broke into the small screen with a starring role in the made-for-television film The Other Kingdom in 1984.

The following years, Clapp found steady work on television. After appearing in his first TV miniseries, “Evergreen” (1985, starred Joan Allen), he made his debut on the U.S. television film in Letting Go (1985), and scored a first regular role in the USA Network’s comedy series “Check It Out,” where he played Viker from 1986 until 1988. Clapp, who most usually cast as police detectives, military men and working-class types, also could be seen in such television films as The Right of the People (1986), Small Sacrifices (1989, with Farrah Fawcett), Blind Faith (1990), Fever (1991), Bonds of Love (1993), and others. During this time, he resurfaced on the big screen with roles in John Sayles’ Matewan (1987, as a merger buster) and Eight Men Out (1988, played hot blooded baseball catcher Ray Schalk). Also, he had small roles in the Canadian-made family portrait Termini Station (1989) and Gross Anatomy (1989).

Early 1990s saw Clapp guest star on a string of TV series, such as “Night Court” (1990), “The Wonder Years” (1992), “Street Legal” (1992), “Civil Wars” (1993), “Cheers” (1993), “Wings” (1993), and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” (1993). However, Clapp did not achieve major success until he played the role of the unconfident Detective Greg Medavoy in the ABC police drama series “NYPD Blue,” which ran from 1993 until 2005. Delivering brilliant performance, he picked up a 1998 Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

While co-starring in “NYPD Blue,” Clapp extensively made television films like
Abandoned and Deceived (1995), Her Hidden Truth (1995), The Morrison Murders (1996, opposite John Corbett) and Badge of Betrayal (1997). Moreover, his developed profile led to supporting parts in numerous motion pictures such as The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999), the blockbuster Rules of Engagement (2000), the psychological thriller Skeletons in the Closet (2001, opposite Treat Williams and Linda Hamilton), John Sayles’ Sunshine State (2002, with Edie Falco and Angela Bassett), Moonlight Mile (2002, starred Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon), Fast Cars & Babies (2003) and The Sure Hand of God (2004). He also starred in short films like Bananas (2004) and Flatbush (2005).

Still in 2005, Clapp attracted the public’s interest with his starring performance of loudmouth gang leader Dave Moss in “Glengarry Glen Ross,” Joe Mantello’s high-octane revival of David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. This brought him a Tony nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play.

After “NYPD Blue” came to an end in 2005, Clapp guest starred in “Without a Trace,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Deadwood.” He is scheduled to star with Elizabeth Chambers and Morris Chestnut in The Game Plan (2007). The upcoming comedy/family film will be directed by Andy Fickman.


Awards:

- Emmy: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, NYPD Blue, 1998