Orman took any chance he could to appear in plays and musicals, and his teachers encouraged his talents. Orman worked cutting picture-frame mats when he was young, but his life from his teenage years onward has been dominated by acting.
New opportunities were opening up for African Americans in New York theaters in the early s, and the producers of a musical revue called If We Grow Up asked him to join the show in After joining the Actors' Equity union around , Orman began to make a living as an actor. Remaining with the New Lafayette Theatre for five years, Orman appeared in numerous productions with the company and also directed several plays.
After being invited by director Gilbert Moses to take the lead role in Willie Dynamite , one of the last of the classic so-called "blaxploitation" films, Orman began to think about a big-time film career. Movies hadn't come as far as New York theater in ending discrimination, however.
Unsure of what to do next, Orman auditioned for the role of Gordon on Sesame Street , which was open after the character's creator Matt Robinson had left the show and briefly been replaced by another actor. Orman had little experience performing for children and was nervous as he auditioned opposite Muppet Oscar the Grouch.
But as a five-year-old child became part of the audition situation, Orman loosened up. When Orman got the part, he became part of an award-winning program that was eventually broadcast in more than countries.
The friendly Gordon Robinson was a familiar face to kids and to nearly anyone with kids over much of the world. Orman enjoyed his interactions with Muppets creator Jim Henson and the rest of the tight-knit Sesame Street team. Keeping an eye on. The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland premiere. See all related lists ».
Do you have a demo reel? Add it to your IMDb page. Find out more at IMDbPro ». How Much Have You Seen? How much of Roscoe Orman's work have you seen? See more awards ». Known For.
Follow That Bird Gordon. The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland Gordon. Striking Distance Sid. Show all Hide all Show by Jump to: Actor Soundtrack Self Archive footage. Hide Show Actor 64 credits. Rodger Conway. Gordon as Roscoe Orman. From Season 35 to Season 38 , he appeared as the fictional superhero Trash Gordon.
Born in Manhattan , New York City , and living in the Bronx for much of his childhood, Orman made his acting debut at the age of Orman's film debut came in the blaxploitation film Willie Dynamite , playing the title role, a heroic pimp.
Orman shaved his head for the part, and his now bald head would become a trademark over the next several years. Shortly after completion of the film, Orman was informed by Sesame Street director Stan Lathan of auditions for the role of Gordon. Matt Robinson , a friend of Orman's, also recommended he try out for the part.
Orman recalled that during his audition scene with Oscar the Grouch , he kept looking at Caroll Spinney instead of the puppet. To make a donation in memory of someone, please visit our Memorial Donation page. Roscoe Orman is widely known for his forty-two seasons as 'Gordon' on Sesame Street. He has since achieved a long and distinguished list of theatre, film, and television credits.
In the mid-sixties, he toured throughout the Deep South for two years with The Free Southern Theater, serving as the company's artistic director for one season.
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