MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Thomas, Barnett, Butler (38th), Jackson (11th), Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO ICONIC FILM PRODUCER LAWRENCE "LARRY" GORDON AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2022 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN MOTION PICTURES AND TELEVISION.
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards Program has announced its 2022 recipients, which include iconic Motion Picture Producer Lawrence "Larry" Gordon for Lifetime Achievement in Motion Pictures and Television; and
WHEREAS, established in 1988, Governor's Arts Awards are given to individuals and organizations to recognize outstanding work in the artistic disciplines, as well as arts-based community development and arts patronage in Mississippi. The awards are presented in partnership with the Governor's Office and signify the important relationship between government and the arts; and
WHEREAS, Larry Gordon has been one of the entertainment industry's most prolific and successful producers and executives in a career spanning six decades. Born in Yazoo City and raised in Belzoni, Larry Gordon maintains ties to his Delta hometown though he has lived and worked in Los Angeles for more than half a century. After graduating from Tulane and completing one year of law school at Ole Miss, Gordon headed west in the 1960s seeking Hollywood dreams. Working as a driver and assistant at Four Star Television with famed Producer Aaron Spelling, Gordon rose to become a Writer and Associate Producer. He later served as Senior Vice President of Screen Gems television where he helped develop popular television films and series, including Brian's Song, QB7, and Bewitched; and
WHEREAS, Gordon went on to form Lawrence Gordon Productions, where through the years he produced many iconic films, including cult hit The Warriors, the buddy action comedy 48 Hours, starring a young Eddie Murphy, and Hooper starring Burt Reynolds. He also returned to television, working as an Executive Producer with Aaron Spelling on the long-running series Matt Houston; and
WHEREAS, in 1984, Gordon became President and Chief Operating Officer of Twentieth Century Fox where he oversaw some of the biggest movies of the period, including Aliens, Broadcast News, and the legendary animated TV series The Simpsons. After leaving Fox, he produced a long and impressive list of feature films, including Die Hard 1 and Die Hard 2, Boogie Nights, Predator, Point Break, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and the beloved baseball classic Field of Dreams, for which he received a Best Picture Oscar nomination; and
WHEREAS, Gordon has also achieved success on the stage. On Broadway, he produced the musical Smile, with music by Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award winner Marvin Hamlisch and book and lyrics by Tony and Academy Award winner Howard Ashman. Off-Broadway, Mr. Gordon was awarded the prestigious Drama Desk Award for the revival of Joe Orton's Entertaining Mr. Sloane. He is a recipient of the ShoWest Lifetime Achievement Award and the Producers Guild of America's prestigious David O. Selznick Lifetime Achievement Award; and
WHEREAS, at the age of 85, Larry Gordon is currently developing several feature projects for film, television and Broadway. With all his success, he has never forgotten where he came from. He recently stepped up as the lead donor when his hometown of Belzoni rebuilt their legendary lighted Welcome Sign; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and express appreciation for the talent of a world-class Mississippi Motion Picture Producer who has made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the artistic traditions of our great state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Legislature to Lawrence "Larry" Gordon, the recipient of the 2022 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in Motion Pictures and Television, and extend our congratulations to this iconic Motion Picture Producer on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Larry Gordon as part of the Governor's Arts Awards presentation and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.