Marjoe Gortner, Oscar-winning documentary subject and actor, dies at 82

Marjoe Gortner, the former child preacher and actor known for the Oscar-winning documentary Marjoe, has died at 82

Marjoe Gortner, the former child preacher whose life was chronicled in the Oscar-winning documentary Marjoe, has died at 82.

Gortner died Friday in Santa Fe, New Mexico, his wife, Susan Magestro, confirmed. A memorial notice said he had been living with congestive heart failure for several years.

Born in Long Beach, California, Gortner was raised in an evangelical family and was pushed into preaching from an early age. His parents promoted him as a child evangelist, and he reportedly performed a marriage ceremony at just 4 years old.

His family travelled across the United States as he preached and collected donations. Gortner later said he became disillusioned with the evangelical movement in his 20s and pursued an acting career in New York.

In 1971, filmmakers Howard Smith and Sarah Kernochan followed Gortner during what he described as his final revival tour. The footage became Marjoe, which won the Academy Award for best documentary feature. The film attracted attention at the time and was later difficult to find until Kernochan recovered the rights.

Gortner subsequently pursued acting, appearing in films and television shows throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His notable film credits included Earthquake, Viva Knievel!, Starcrash and Wild Bill.

On television, he appeared in series including Kojak, Police Story, Airwolf, T.J. Hooker, The A-Team and Falcon Crest.

Actor Ian Ziering also remembered Gortner for his charitable work, saying he helped raise millions of dollars through celebrity sporting events and fundraising initiatives.

Gortner is survived by Magestro, his fifth wife.