Adam Roarke
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Adam Roarke (born Richard Jordan Gerler, August 8, 1937 – April 27, 1996) was an American actor and
film director A film director or filmmaker is a person who controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfillment of that Goal, vision. The director has a key role ...
.


Life and career

Roarke was born in
Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...
, where he was a
street gang A gang is a social group, group or secret society, society of associates, friends, or members of a family with a defined leadership and internal organization that identifies with or claims control over Wiktionary:territory#Noun, territory in a ...
member during his youth. His father was a
vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...
comedian and his mother was a chorus line dancer and
showgirl A showgirl is a female performer in a theatrical revue who wears an exotic and revealing costume and in some shows may appear topless. Showgirls are usually dancers, sometimes performing as chorus girls, burlesque dancers or fan dancers, and ...
.Adam Roarke - Trailer - Showtimes - Cast - Movies - New York Times
/ref> Roarke began his acting career under the name Jordan Gerler and then Jordan Grant; when he signed on with
Universal Studios Universal Studios may refer to: * Universal Studios, Inc., an American media and entertainment conglomerate ** Universal Pictures, an American film studio ** Universal Studios Lot, a film and television studio complex * Various theme parks operat ...
in 1957, though, he was told that he needed to change the name, because the studios already had one Mr. Grant ( Cary) under contract. Roarke appeared in a number of television series during the late 1950s and early 1960s, including the role of Communications Officer Garrison in the original ''
Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the Star Trek: The Original Series, series of the same name and became a worldwide Popular culture, pop-culture Cultural influence of ...
'' pilot. He appeared in a string of AIP biker pictures along with
Peter Fonda Peter Henry Fonda (February 23, 1940 â€“ August 16, 2019) was an American actor, film director, and screenwriter. He was a two-time Academy Award nominee, both for acting and screenwriting, and a two-time Golden Globe Award winner for his a ...
,
Jack Nicholson John Joseph Nicholson (born April 22, 1937) is an American retired actor and filmmaker. Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, often playing rebels fighting against the social structure. Over his five-de ...
, and
Bruce Dern Bruce MacLeish Dern (born June 4, 1936) is an American actor. He has received several accolades, including the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor and the Silver Bear for Best Actor. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Suppo ...
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 ''Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry'' is a 1974 American road crime drama film based on the 1963 Richard Unekis novel titled ''The Chase'' (later retitled ''Pursuit''). Directed by John Hough, the film stars Peter Fonda, Susan George, Adam Roarke, and ...
'', with Fonda and Susan George, a role which showcased his range of acting skills. 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 (born November 16, 1945) is an American theatre, film, and television actor. He is best known for his performances in the films '' The Stunt Man'' and ''Lifeforce'', and his portrayal of Charles Manson in the 1976 television mini- ...
in ''
The Stunt Man ''The Stunt Man'' is a 1980 American satirical psychological black comedy film starring Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback and Barbara Hershey, and directed by Richard Rush. The film was adapted by Lawrence B. Marcus and Rush from the 1970 nove ...
''.
Peter O'Toole Peter Seamus O'Toole (; 2 August 1932 – 14 December 2013) was an English actor known for his leading roles on stage and screen. His numerous accolades include the Academy Honorary Award, a BAFTA Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and four Golde ...
befriended Roarke during filming, and the two became drinking pals. Unfortunately, Roarke was unable to keep up with O’Toole, and was hospitalized with
delirium tremens Delirium tremens (DTs; ) is a rapid onset of confusion usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol. When it occurs, it is often three days into the withdrawal symptoms and lasts for two to three days. Physical effects may include shaking, sh ...
before shooting had 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 An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is film production, produced outside the Major film studios, major film studio system in addition to being produced and distributed by independ ...
brought him to Austin, Texas, in 1982. At the time,
Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
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 is a mixed-use planned community development in Irving, Texas governed by The Las Colinas Association, a Texas nonprofit corporation. Due to its central location in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and proximity to Dallas/Fort Wor ...
. "Graduates" of his program include Darryl Cox, Georganna Barry,
Benton Jennings Benton Jennings (born October 27, 1955) is an American film, television, commercial, voice-over, and stage actor, writer and director based in Los Angeles, California. Career He attended Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas, ...
,
Lar Park Lincoln Laurie Jill "Lar" Park Lincoln (née Park; May 12, 1961 – April 22, 2025) was an American actress. She appeared in the 1987 film ''House II: The Second Story'' as Kate, the 1988 horror film ''Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood'' as List o ...
, and
Lou Diamond Phillips Louis Diamond Phillips (né Upchurch; born February 17, 1962) is an American actor, director, and writer. His breakthrough came when he starred as Ritchie Valens in the biographical drama film '' La Bamba'' (1987). For his performance as Angel ...
.


Personal life

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 Thunder'' in 1977. Roarke died in
Euless, Texas Euless ( ) is a city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Fort Worth. Euless is part of the Mid-Cities region between Dallas and Fort Worth. In 2020 Census, the population of Euless was 61,032. The population of the city in ...
, of an apparent
heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when Ischemia, blood flow decreases or stops in one of the coronary arteries of the heart, causing infarction (tissue death) to the heart muscle. The most common symptom ...
in 1996.


Filmography

* ''
13 West Street ''13 West Street'' is a 1962 American neo-noir crime film directed by Philip Leacock and starring Alan Ladd and Rod Steiger, whose own production company produced the film. It is based on the 1957 novel ''The Tiger Among Us'' by Leigh Brackett, w ...
'' (1962) - Jack * '' The Virginian'' episode "A Portrait of Marie Valonne" (1963) - Jimmy Raker * '' Kraft Suspense Theatre'' episode "Are There Any More Out There Like You?" (1963) - Paul Durbin * ''
Arrest and Trial ''Arrest and Trial'' is a 90-minute American crime/legal drama series that ran during the 1963–1964 season on ABC, airing Sundays from 8:30-10 pm Eastern. Overview The majority of episodes consists of two segments. Set in Los Angeles, the ...
'' episode "The Best There Is" (1964) - Sergeant Kelliher * ''
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 a ...
'' ** episode "A Matter of Murder" (1964) - Al (credited as Jordan Grant) ** episode "The Sign of Satan" (1964) - Ed Walsh * ''
Ensign Pulver ''Ensign Pulver'' is a 1964 American Technicolor comedy drama film in Panavision and a sequel to the 1955 film '' Mister Roberts''. The film stars Robert Walker Jr., Burl Ives, Walter Matthau and Tommy Sands and features Millie Perkins, Larry H ...
'' (1964) - Mechanic (uncredited) * '' Fluffy'' (1965) - Bob Brighton * ''
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. ''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'' is an American spy fiction television series produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television and first broadcast on NBC. The series follows secret agents Napoleon Solo, played by Robert Vaughn, and Illya Kuryakin, p ...
'' episode "The Foxes and Hounds Affair" (1965) - Cantrell * ''
Twelve O'Clock High ''Twelve O'Clock High'' is a 1949 American war film directed by Henry King and based on the novel of the same name by Sy Bartlett and Beirne Lay Jr. It stars Gregory Peck as Brig. General Frank Savage. Hugh Marlowe, Gary Merrill, Millard ...
'' episode "I Am the Enemy" (1965) - Capt. Davis * '' Star Trek: The Original Series'' episodes "The Cage" and " The Menagerie"(1966) - as C.P.O. Garrison (uncredited) * '' Women of the Prehistoric Planet'' (1966) - Harris * ''
The Road West ''The Road West'' is an American Western television series that aired on NBC from September 12, 1966, to May 1, 1967. Overview Ben Pride moves with his children Timothy, Midge, and Kip, his new wife Elizabeth, his father Tom, and his brother-in ...
'' episode "Ashes and Tallow and One True Love" (1966) - Hanson * '' Cyborg 2087'' (1966) - Deputy Dan * ''
El Dorado El Dorado () is a mythical city of gold supposedly located somewhere in South America. The king of this city was said to be so rich that he would cover himself from head to foot in gold dust – either daily or on certain ceremonial occasions â ...
'' (1966) - Matt MacDonald * '' Hells Angels on Wheels'' (1967) - Buddy * '' Psych-Out'' (1968) - Ben * ''
The Savage Seven ''The Savage Seven'' is a 1968 outlaw biker exploitation film directed by Richard Rush, who had directed the previous year's '' Hells Angels on Wheels''. Rush agreed to direct ''The Savage Seven'' in exchange for the opportunity to make the psy ...
'' (1968) - Kisum * ''
The Mod Squad ''The Mod Squad'' is an American crime drama series, originally broadcast for five seasons on ABC from September 24, 1968, to March 1, 1973. It starred Michael Cole as Peter "Pete" Cochran, Clarence Williams III as Lincoln "Linc" Hayes, Pegg ...
'' episode "The Guru" (1968) - Rick Potter * ''
Hell's Belles The comic book stories published by Marvel Comics since the 1940s have featured several fictional teams and organizations and this page lists them. 0–9 198 A A-Force A-Next A.I. Army The A.I. Army is a fictional organization appearing i ...
'' (1969) - Tampa * '' Nam's Angels'' (1970) - Duke * '' A Bullet for Pretty Boy'' (1970) - Preacher * ''
Frogs A frog is any member of a diverse and largely semiaquatic group of short-bodied, tailless amphibian vertebrates composing the order Anura (coming from the Ancient Greek , literally 'without tail'). Frog species with rough skin texture due to ...
'' (1972) -Clint Crockett * '' Play It as It Lays'' (1972) - Carter Lang * '' Medical Center'' episode "Night Cry" (1973) - Michael * ''This Is a Hijack'' (1973) - Mike Christie * '' Slaughter's Big Rip-Off'' (1973) - Harry (uncredited) * ''
Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry ''Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry'' is a 1974 American road crime drama film based on the 1963 Richard Unekis novel titled ''The Chase'' (later retitled ''Pursuit''). Directed by John Hough, the film stars Peter Fonda, Susan George, Adam Roarke, and ...
'' (1974) - Deke Sommers * '' How Come Nobody's on Our Side?'' (1975) - Parson * '' The Four Deuces'' (1976) - Russ Timmons, the Reporter * ''The Keegans'' (1976, TV movie) - Larry Keegan * '' Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell'' - Howard Hawks * ''
Return from Witch Mountain ''Return from Witch Mountain'' is a 1978 American science fiction–adventure film and a sequel to '' Escape to Witch Mountain'' (1975) and the second film in the ''Witch Mountain'' franchise. It was produced by Walt Disney Productions. It was ...
'' (1978) - Museum security guard (uncredited) * ''
The Hardy Boys Mysteries ''The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries'' (re-titled ''The Hardy Boys'' for season three) is an American television mystery series based on the ''Hardy Boys'' and ''Nancy Drew'' juvenile novels. The series, which ran from January 30, 1977, to Jan ...
'' episode "Life on the Line" (1979) - Willie Osborne * ''
The Stunt Man ''The Stunt Man'' is a 1980 American satirical psychological black comedy film starring Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback and Barbara Hershey, and directed by Richard Rush. The film was adapted by Lawrence B. Marcus and Rush from the 1970 nove ...
'' (1980) - Raymond Bailey * ''
CHiPs ''CHiPs'' is an American crime drama television series created by Rick Rosner and originally aired on NBC from September 15, 1977, to May 1, 1983. After the final first-run telecast on NBC in May 1983, the series went into reruns on Sundays fr ...
'' episode "Home Fires Burning" (1981) - Ray Evans * '' The Beach Girls'' (1982) - Carl Purdue * ''And They Are Off'' (1982) - Dale Campbell * ''Trespasses'' (1986) - Drifter * '' Slipping Into Darkness'' (1988) - Sheriff * '' Dangerous Touch'' (1994) - Robert Turner * ''
Sioux City Sioux City () is a city in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 85,797 in the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Iowa. The county seat of Woodbury County, Sioux City is the primar ...
'' (1994) - Douglas Goldman (final film role)


Director

* '' Trespasses'' (1986)


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Roarke, Adam 1937 births 1996 deaths American male film actors American male television actors 20th-century American male actors Male actors from Brooklyn