Gordon Clapp
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
Solid, ordinary-looking character actor with a firm gaze and a somewhat tough, rueful expression, Clapp enjoyed his most well know role on the acclaimed if controversial ABC police series "NYPD Blue" (1993-2005) as the insecure detective Greg Medavoy, the only character aside from Dennis Franz's Sipowicz to last throughout the series' entire run.
Although born in New Hampshire, Clapp studied drama in Canada and first gained experience as an actor in regional Canadian productions of Shakespeare plays and other works. He made an impressive feature debut as Chip, a senator's aide, in John Sayles' fine "The Return of the Secaucus Seven" (1980), which was later copied in Hollywood as "The Big Chill." Although Clapp would later work with Sayles as a union buster in "Matewan" (1987), as a quick-tempered baseball catcher in "Eight Men Out" (1988) and as a local activist in "Sunshine State" (2002), his other feature credits have been modest, most prominent among them a large role in the downbeat, Canadian-made family portrait, "Termini Station" (1989).
Beginning in TV with a small regular role on the USA Network's sitcom about a supermarket manager, "Check It Out!" (1985-88), Clapp began to perform in many and varied TV-movies and miniseries. Most typically cast as military men, police detectives and working-class types, he played roles in "The Right of the People" (1986), "Blind Faith" (1990), "Fever" (1991), "Bonds of Love" (1993) and, alongside fellow Conway NH native John Shea, in "Small Sacrifices" (1989). He got his breakthrough role as Medavoy in 1993, and the role allowed Clapp to gradually flesh out his character beyond his initial stamering insecurity, seeing him through divorce, a romance with a gorgeous secretary, get-rich-quick moonlighting gigs and a string of new partners. He frequently provided a perfect foil for the hard-edged Sipowicz, and the actor's ability to covney Medavoy's failure to measure up to his colleague's tough demeanor was on the hallmarks of the long-running series.
Clapp's expanded profile led to supporting roles in such features as "Carrie 2: The Rage" (1999), "Rules of Engagement" (2000) and "Moonlight Mile" (2002) and a steady slate of made-for-television movies.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1978
Made feature film debut in the Canadian production, "Running"
1980
First feature in a leading role, "The Return of the Secaucus Seven"; also marked first collaboration with writer-director John Sayles
1985
First TV miniseries, "Evergreen"
1985
US TV-movie debut, "Letting Go"
1985
First role as TV series regular, played Viker on the USA Network's comedy series, "Check It Out!"
1987
Returned to feature films after a seven-year absence to act in John Sayles' "Matewan"
1989
Relocated to Los Angeles
1993
Played Detective Greg Medavoy on the ABC police drama series, "NYPD Blue"
2005
Starred in "Glengarry Glen Ross," Joe Mantello's high-octane revival of David Mamet's play; earned a Tony nomination for his role
Family
Companions
