Born in Glasgow on March 7, 1934, Gordon's early career was spent with the BBC and Scottish Television, where an extraordinary career bloomed. He moved into the feature film world in 1966 with Doctor Who and the Daleks, and there followed a number of early British movie successes, including Great Catherine with Peter O'Toole.
Moving swiftly to Hollywood. he made The Split with Jim Brown. This high point of his career was clouded by a disbelief in the Hollywood 'front office' and a fondness for Scotland's second favourite export.
His gruff, Scottish vernacular terrified and subdued many, but those who were brave enough to surface were gathered into the fold. He was an extraordinary culmination of energy and enthusiasm.
The industry that Gordon gave his life to must be grateful that he spent so much time and effort making films that spoke about people. In the last 20 years. he has been a major influence in the television culture. Ellington. a series about a sports promoter, starring Chris Ellison, will be his final tribute, a series about an upright and honourable human.
My own experience, 25 years ago, as Gordon's assistant director, is of a man who taught. explained and encouraged, not in a preaching fashion but in every frame of a film, every decision considered and explained.
Nobody who worked or socialised with him could fail to be touched.
Keith Richardson is controller of drama at Yorkshire Television
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