Denise Gordy

Last updated

Denise Gordy
Born
Denise Georgette Gordy [1]

Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active1972–1991
Spouse
(m. 1978;div. 1989)
[2]
Children2, including Bianca Lawson
Family Gordy

Denise Georgette Gordy [1] is an American former film and television actress and singer. She is a niece of Motown founder Berry Gordy and the mother of actress Bianca Lawson.

Contents

Family and career

Denise Georgette Gordy was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of George and Rosemary Gordy. She has several siblings, including a brother named George Gordy, Jr., and a sister named Patrice. Motown founder Berry Gordy is her uncle; Anna Gordy Gaye is her aunt. Gordy has appeared in numerous television and theatrical features, beginning in 1972 with her role in Lady Sings the Blues as a dancer in the nightclub chorus. [3] In 1974, Gordy appeared in Black Fist (originally titled Bogard). She contributed vocals to the soundtrack album for the film, recording the song "Let's Do It Again". Gordy retired from acting, following her role in Toy Soldiers (1991).

Personal life

Gordy was married to actor Richard Lawson from December 31, 1978 [2] until 1989. They share one child, actress Bianca Lawson. Gordy is also the biological mother of Marvin Gaye III, who was born on November 17, 1965, when she was a teenager. His biological father, singer Marvin Gaye, was 26 years old and married to Gordy's aunt Anna at the time. She was groomed by her aunt and Marvin, then impregnated by Marvin and gave birth at the age of 16. She supposedly "agreed" to this because her aunt was "unable to conceive". Shortly after Marvin III's birth, Anna adopted him. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Filmography

Film and television
YearShowRoleNotes
1972 Lady Sings the Blues DancerFilm
1974Black FistBeaFilm
1975 Mahogany Uncredited roleFilm
1976 Starsky & Hutch HookerTV series
1976 Charlie's Angels NikkiTV series
1977Little Ladies of the NightFoxy LadyTV film
1977 Scott Joplin The GirlFilm
1981 Enos LauraTV series
1983 At Ease Commando GirlTV series
1983 Bare Essence TV series
1983 D.C. Cab DeniseFilm
1984 Fantasy Island 1st NurseTV series
1984Getting PhysicalVideo Lady No. 2TV film
1985 My Man Adam WilletteFilm
1985 It's a Living CustomerTV series
1986 Reform School Girls ClaudieFilm
1991 Toy Soldiers ParentFilm

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References

  1. 1 2 Lawson, Bianca. "In light of it being #womenshistorymonth and the month of my born day, I'd like to honor the most important and influential woman in my life, my mother, Denise Georgette Gordy. We both almost died giving birth to me, but she pushed us through! She's THAT powerful. Mom, you are a force to be reckoned with, my guide and my light. So grateful our souls chose each other this incarnation". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Ancestry.com. Nevada, Marriage Index, 1956–2005 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.
  3. "Gordy's Niece Makes Film Debut in 'Blues'". Google Books/JET Magazine. Johnson Publishing Company. February 3, 1972. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  4. Turner, Steve (1998). Trouble Man: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye. London: Michael Joseph. p. 88. ISBN   0-7181-4112-1.
  5. Never a Dull Moment: 1971 The Year That Rock Exploded – By David Hepworth
  6. "Marvin Gaye's biological son". Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  7. Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye – By Michael Eric Dyson
  8. Brozan, Nadine (April 1, 1995). "Chronicle: New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved August 29, 2008.
  9. "Marvin Gaye III's Financial Trouble". Mycolumbusmagic.com. December 22, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2013.