Adam Roarke
Encyclopedia
Adam Roarke was an American actor
and film director
.
Roarke was born Richard Jordan Gerler in Brooklyn, New York, where he was a street gang member during his youth. His father was a vaudeville
comedian and his mother was a chorine, showgirl
.
Richie, as he was affectionately called by friends, began his acting career under the name Jordan Grant; however, when he signed on with Universal Studios
in 1957, he was told that he needed to change the name, because the studios already had one Mr. Grant (Cary Grant
, that is) under contract. Roarke appeared in a number of television series during the late 50s and early 60s, including the role of Communications Officer Garrison in the original Star Trek
pilot. He appeared in a string of AIP
biker pictures along with Peter Fonda
, Jack Nicholson
, and Bruce Dern
in the late 1960s, beginning with Hells Angels on Wheels
(1967), and culminating with The Losers (subsequently retitled Nam's Angels
) in 1970. In 1974, Roarke appeared in the financially-successful car chase film Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry
, with Fonda and Susan George
, a role which showcased his range of acting skill despite the level of the material.
His "breakout role" came in 1980 when he portrayed Raymond Bailey, a self-important leading man whose stunt double was played by Steve Railsback
in The Stunt Man
. Peter O’Toole befriended Roarke during filming, and the two became drinking buddies. Unfortunately, Roarke was unable to keep up with O’Toole, and was hospitalized with delirium tremens
before shooting was concluded. Word spread around Hollywood quickly, and Roarke had difficulty finding work as a result. However, an offer to work on a low-budget independent film
brought him to Austin, Texas in 1982. At the time, Texas
had a burgeoning movie industry—billing itself as the "Third Coast"—but lacked any real opportunities for aspiring film actors to learn their craft from industry veterans. Recognizing this need, Roarke opened the "Film Actors Lab" in the Dallas Communications Complex at the Studios in Las Colinas
. "Graduates" of his program include Darryl Cox
, Benton Jennings
, Lar Park Lincoln
and Lou Diamond Phillips
.
In 1989, Roarke married Carla DeLane, and they had one child together. A child from Roarke’s previous marriage, Jordan Gerler, was also an actor, appearing in Rolling Tunder in 1987. Roarke died in Euless, Texas
of an apparent heart attack
.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
.
Roarke was born Richard Jordan Gerler in Brooklyn, New York, where he was a street gang member during his youth. His father was a vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
comedian and his mother was a chorine, showgirl
Showgirl
A showgirl is a dancer or performer in a stage entertainment show. Showgirl is also often used as a term for a promotional model in trade fairs and car shows, etc...
.
Richie, as he was affectionately called by friends, began his acting career under the name Jordan Grant; however, when he signed on with Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
in 1957, he was told that he needed to change the name, because the studios already had one Mr. Grant (Cary Grant
Cary Grant
Archibald Alexander Leach , better known by his stage name Cary Grant, was an English actor who later took U.S. citizenship...
, that is) under contract. Roarke appeared in a number of television series during the late 50s and early 60s, including the role of Communications Officer Garrison in the original Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
pilot. He appeared in a string of AIP
American International Pictures
American International Pictures was a film production company formed in April 1956 from American Releasing Corporation by James H. Nicholson, former Sales Manager of Realart Pictures, and Samuel Z. Arkoff, an entertainment lawyer...
biker pictures along with Peter Fonda
Peter Fonda
Peter Henry Fonda is an American actor. He is the son of Henry Fonda, brother of Jane Fonda, and father of Bridget and Justin Fonda...
, Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
, and Bruce Dern
Bruce Dern
Bruce MacLeish Dern is an American film actor. He also appeared as a guest star in numerous television shows. He frequently takes roles as a character actor, often playing unstable and villainous characters...
in the late 1960s, beginning with Hells Angels on Wheels
Hells Angels on Wheels
Hells Angels on Wheels is a 1967 American biker film directed by Richard Rush, and starring Jack Nicholson, Adam Roarke, and Sabrina Scharf...
(1967), and culminating with The Losers (subsequently retitled Nam's Angels
Nam's Angels
Nam's Angels is a 1970 action film, that was filmed in the Philippines. This film was directed by Jack Starrett. This film was originally released with the title, The Losers.-Plot:...
) in 1970. In 1974, Roarke appeared in the financially-successful car chase film Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry
Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry
Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry is a cult 1974 car chase film starring Peter Fonda, Susan George, Adam Roarke, and Vic Morrow. The film was directed by John Hough...
, with Fonda and Susan George
Susan George (actress)
Susan Melody George is an English film and television actress, and film producer.-Career:She trained at the Stage School, Corona Theatre School and has acted since the age of four, appearing on both television and film...
, a role which showcased his range of acting skill despite the level of the material.
His "breakout role" came in 1980 when he portrayed Raymond Bailey, a self-important leading man whose stunt double was played by Steve Railsback
Steve Railsback
Steve Railsback is an American theatre, film and television actor, born in Dallas, Texas.-Personal life:Railsback was born Stephen Hall Railsback, in Dallas, Texas, the son of Emerett Spencer and Clyde Webb Railsback.-Career:Railsback was a student of Lee Strasberg and the Actors Studio and in...
in The Stunt Man
The Stunt Man
The Stunt Man is a 1980 American film directed by Richard Rush, starring Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback, and Barbara Hershey. The movie was adapted by Lawrence B. Marcus and Rush from the novel by Paul Brodeur...
. Peter O’Toole befriended Roarke during filming, and the two became drinking buddies. Unfortunately, Roarke was unable to keep up with O’Toole, and was hospitalized with delirium tremens
Delirium tremens
Delirium tremens is an acute episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol, first described in 1813...
before shooting was concluded. Word spread around Hollywood quickly, and Roarke had difficulty finding work as a result. However, an offer to work on a low-budget independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
brought him to Austin, Texas in 1982. At the time, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
had a burgeoning movie industry—billing itself as the "Third Coast"—but lacked any real opportunities for aspiring film actors to learn their craft from industry veterans. Recognizing this need, Roarke opened the "Film Actors Lab" in the Dallas Communications Complex at the Studios in Las Colinas
Las Colinas
Las Colinas is an upscale, developed area in the Dallas suburb of Irving, Texas.Due to its central location between Dallas and Fort Worth and its proximity to DFW Airport, Las Colinas has been a viable place in the Metroplex for corporate and business relocation.As a planned community, it has many...
. "Graduates" of his program include Darryl Cox
Darryl Cox
Darryl Cox is an American film and television actor.Cox was born in Wiesbaden, Germany. He was an officer in the Navy who served on the U.S.S. Forrest Sherman from 1977 until 1981....
, Benton Jennings
Benton Jennings
Benton Jennings is an American film, television, and stage actor, based in Los Angeles, CA.- Career :He attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas with a BFA in Theatre Arts, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art , and The Film Actors Lab in Dallas, Texas studying under Adam...
, Lar Park Lincoln
Lar Park Lincoln
Lar Park Lincoln is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles in the 1987 film House II: The Second Story as Kate, and in the 1988 horror film Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood as Tina Shepard.-Biography:...
and Lou Diamond Phillips
Lou Diamond Phillips
Lou Diamond Phillips is an American film, television, and stage actor and director. His breakthrough came when he starred in the film La Bamba. He earned a supporting actor Golden Globe Award nomination for his role in Stand and Deliver and a Tony Award nomination for his role in The King and I...
.
In 1989, Roarke married Carla DeLane, and they had one child together. A child from Roarke’s previous marriage, Jordan Gerler, was also an actor, appearing in Rolling Tunder in 1987. Roarke died in Euless, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
of an apparent heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
.
Filmography
- Sioux CitySioux City (film)Sioux City is a 1994 mystery / crime film directed by and starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Gary Farmer as Russell White, Tantoo Cardinal as Dawn Rainfeather, and future Touched by an Angel star John Dye as Colin Adams....
(1994) ... as Douglas Goldman - Dangerous TouchDangerous TouchDangerous Touch is a 1994 thriller film directed by Lou Diamond Phillips. He also co-wrote the film with Kurt Voss, and Lisa Hansen co-produced the film. James Lemmo was the Cinematographer. The movie was filmed in Los Angeles, California, USA...
(1994) ... as Robert Turner - Slipping Into Darkness (1988) ... as Sheriff
- Trespasses (1986) ... as The Drifters
- The Beach GirlsThe Beach Girls (1982 film)The Beach Girls is a 1982 sex comedy film, directed by Pat Townsend. It stars Jeana Tomasina, Val Kline and Debra Blee.-Plot:Two college girls, Ducky and Ginger, meet their naive friend, Sarah, at a Southern California beach house. The house belongs to Sarah's uncle and to their luck has allowed...
(1982) ... as Carl Purdue - CHiPsCHiPsCHiPs is an American television drama series produced by MGM Studios that originally aired on NBC from September 15, 1977, to July 17, 1983. CHiPs followed the lives of two motorcycle police officers of the California Highway Patrol...
- episode Home Fires Burning ... as Ray Evans
- The Stunt ManThe Stunt ManThe Stunt Man is a 1980 American film directed by Richard Rush, starring Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback, and Barbara Hershey. The movie was adapted by Lawrence B. Marcus and Rush from the novel by Paul Brodeur...
(1980) ... as Raymond Bailey - The Hardy Boys Mysteries
- episode Life on the Line
- Return from Witch MountainReturn from Witch MountainReturn from Witch Mountain is the 1978 sequel to Walt Disney Productions' 1975 film, Escape to Witch Mountain. It was written by Malcolm Marmorstein and is based on the novel by Alexander Key. Ike Eisenmann, Kim Richards, and Denver Pyle reprise their roles as Tony, Tia, and Uncle Bené—humanoid...
(1978) (uncredited) ... as Museum security guard - Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell (1978) ... as Howard Hawks
- The Keegans (1976) ... as Larry Keegan
- The Four Deuces (1976) ... as Russ Timmons, the Reporter
- How Come Nobody's on Our Side? (1975) ... as Parson
- Dirty Mary, Crazy LarryDirty Mary, Crazy LarryDirty Mary, Crazy Larry is a cult 1974 car chase film starring Peter Fonda, Susan George, Adam Roarke, and Vic Morrow. The film was directed by John Hough...
(1974) ... as Deke Sommers - Slaughter's Big Rip-OffSlaughter's Big Rip-OffSlaughter’s Big Rip-off is a 1973 Blaxploitation film which was released during the 1970s Blaxploitation film era. It is directed by Gordon Douglass...
(1973) (uncredited) - This Is a Hijack (1973) ... as Mike Christie
- Medical CenterMedical Center (TV series)Medical Center is a medical drama series which aired on CBS from 1969 to 1976.-Synopsis:The show starred James Daly as Dr. Paul Lochner and Chad Everett as Dr. Joe Gannon, surgeons working in an otherwise unnamed university hospital in Los Angeles. The show focused both on the lives of the doctors...
- episode Night Cry ... as Michael
- Play It As It LaysPlay It As It LaysPlay It as It Lays is a 1970 novel by the American writer Joan Didion. Time magazine included the novel in its TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005. The book was made into a 1972 movie starring Tuesday Weld as Maria and Anthony Perkins as B.Z...
(1972) ... as Carter - FrogsFrogs (film)Frogs is a 1972 horror film directed by George McCowan. The film falls into the "eco-horror" category since it tells the story of an upper-class U.S. Southern family who are victimized by several different animal species, including snakes, birds, and lizards, as well as the occasional butterfly...
(1972) ... as Clint Crockett - Nam's AngelsNam's AngelsNam's Angels is a 1970 action film, that was filmed in the Philippines. This film was directed by Jack Starrett. This film was originally released with the title, The Losers.-Plot:...
(1970) ... as Duke - A Bullet for Pretty Boy (1970) ... as 'Preacher'
- Hell's BellesHell's BellesHell's Belles is a fictional super villain team in the Marvel Comics Universe, composed of female mutant terrorists. They were formed by Cyber to commit acts of extortion, and worked for a notorious drug cartel...
(1970) ... as Tampa - The Mod SquadThe Mod SquadThe Mod Squad is a television series that ran on ABC from September 24, 1968, until August 23, 1973. This series starred Michael Cole, Peggy Lipton, Clarence Williams III, and Tige Andrews...
- episode The Guru ... as Rick Potter
- The Savage Seven (1968) ... as Kisum
- Psych-OutPsych-OutPsych-Out is a feature film about hippies, psychedelic music, and recreational drugs, produced and released by American International Pictures. Originally scripted as The Love Children, the title when tested caused people to think it was about bastards, so Samuel Z...
(1968) ... as Ben - Hells Angels on WheelsHells Angels on WheelsHells Angels on Wheels is a 1967 American biker film directed by Richard Rush, and starring Jack Nicholson, Adam Roarke, and Sabrina Scharf...
(1967) ... as Buddy - El Dorado (1966) ... as Matt MacDonald
- The Road WestThe Road WestThe Road West is an American Western television series that aired on NBC from September 12, 1966 to May 1, 1967 for twenty-nine episodes with rebroadcasts continuing until August 28. The hour-long series, sponsored by Kraft Foods, aired in the 9 p.m...
- episode Ashes and Tallow and One True Love ... as Hanson
- Star Trek: The Original SeriesStar Trek: The Original SeriesStar Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
- episode The CageThe Cage (TOS episode)"The Cage" is the first pilot episode of the Star Trek: The Original Series science fiction series. It was completed in early 1965 , but not broadcast on television in its complete form until the autumn of 1988. The episode was written by Gene Roddenberry and directed by Robert Butler...
(1966) (uncredited) ... as C.P.O. Garison
- episode The Cage
- Women of the Prehistoric PlanetWomen of the Prehistoric PlanetWomen of the Prehistoric Planet is a 1966 film. It was featured in the first season of Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1989.-Plot:A spacefaring crew from an advanced civilization is preparing to return home after an extended voyage...
(1966) ... as Centaurian - Twelve O'Clock HighTwelve O'Clock High (TV series)Twelve O'Clock High or 12 O'Clock High is an American drama series set in World War II. This TV series originally broadcasted on ABC-TV for two-and-one-half TV seasons from September 18, 1964, through January 13, 1967; was based on the motion picture Twelve O'Clock High...
- episode I Am the Enemy ... as Capt. Davis
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E.The Man from U.N.C.L.E.The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is an American television series that was broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1964, to January 15, 1968. It follows the exploits of two secret agents, played by Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, who work for a fictitious secret international espionage and law-enforcement...
- episode The Foxes and Hounds Affair ... as Cantrell
- Fluffy (1965) ... as Bob Brighton
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
- episode The Sign of Satan ... as Ed Walsh
- Arrest and TrialArrest and TrialArrest and Trial is a 90-minute American Police procedural/legal drama that ran during the 1963-64 season on ABC, airing Sundays from 8:30-10 p.m. Eastern.The majority of episodes consisted of two segments...
- episode The Best There Is ... as Sergeant Kelliher
- Kraft Suspense TheatreKraft Suspense TheatreKraft Suspense Theatre, an anthology series, was telecast from 1963 to 1965 on NBC. Sponsored by Kraft Foods, it was seen three weeks out of every four and was pre-empted for Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall specials once monthly...
- episode Are There Any More Out There Like You? ... as Paul Durbin
- The VirginianThe Virginian (TV series)The Virginian is an American Western television series starring James Drury and Doug McClure, which aired on NBC from 1962 to 1971 for a total of 249 episodes. Filmed in color, The Virginian became television's first 90-minute western series...
- episode A Portrait of Marie Valonne ... as Jimmy Raker
- 13 West Street (1962) (uncredited)