Denise Gordy is the niece of Motown founder Berry Gordy as well as Marvin Gaye III’s mother. She is a former American actress and singer who is widely recognized for being a member of the Gordy family, one of the black American families with a history in the music industry as label executives.
The former actress, before eventually calling it quits on the movie industry, had made some notable achievements in her acting career of nearly three decades. Learn more about Denise Gordy and her life story by reading this article.
Summary of Denise Gordy’s Biography
- Full name: Denise Georgette Gordy
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: November 11, 1949
- Denise Gordy’s Age: 74 years old
- Ethnicity: Mixed
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Denis Gordy’s Ex-husband: Richard Lawson
- Denise Gordy’s Children: Mavin Gaye III (son) and Bianca Lawson (daughter)
- Denise Gordy’s Parents: George Weldon Gordy and Rosemary Gordy
- Siblings: Georgy J. Gordy and Patrice Gordy
- Denise Gordy’s Net worth: $10 million (est.)
- Famous for: Being an actress
Denise Gordy’s Ethnicity is African-American
On November 11, 1949, Denise Gordy was born Denise Georgette Gordy to her parents, George Weldon Gordy Sr. and Rosemary Gordy. She is currently 74 years old and is an American citizen with an African-American ethnicity, while her zodiac sign is Scorpio.
Denise Gordy was born into a prominent family with extensive roots in the entertainment industry and so had a comfortable childhood as she was well provided for and enjoyed all the privileges of a child born into a rich home. Gordy was not the only child of her parents, as she has seven siblings which, include Patrice Gordy and George Gordy Jr, among others.
On the aspect of her education, there is no doubt the former actress received a good education following the rich background she comes from. She has always been destined to continue in her family’s footsteps.
She Comes From a Dynasty of Music Industry Executives
Denise Gordy comes from a lineage of prominent people who were involved in music. According to sources, her paternal grandparents, Berry “Pops” Gordy Sr, and Bertha Fuller Gordy, were prominent music industry executives.
Her father was the fifth child birthed to his parents, and from records in the family, he is one of the least popular of all his siblings. Denise’s father, born on January 7, 1926, had created various enterprises before having to join his brother, Berry, the most famous of the Gordys, who had a record label named Motown label and was doing so well.
During his time at Motown, he worked as a songwriter, creating songs for Motown musicians. Denise Gordy’s parents later died, her mother, Rosemary, died in 1980, while her father died in his sleep on July 27, 2011, at the age of 85.
Denise Georgette Gordy Began Her Career in Her Early Twenties
Denise Gordy has always been involved with entertainment in one form or another other, as she came from a family that is involved in the entertainment industry. Just like many actors and actresses, Denise began her acting career by appearing in theatres. She officially got to begin her career in her early twenties.
She made her film début in the 1972 drama film titled Lady Sings the Blues – based on the memoirs of jazz singer Billie Holiday. In the movie, Gordy caught the attention of many after she showcased her singing abilities while performing as a choir member and a nightclub dancer in the movie.
After her first movie role, she landed her second role two years later, playing the character Bea in the 1974 blaxploitation movie titled Black Fist. Her now ex-husband, Richard Lawson, was also featured as one of the main characters in the movie. Going further in her career, Gordy also provided vocals to the film’s official soundtrack, “Let’s Do It Again,” which was recorded by her.
Denise Gordy then went ahead and appeared uncredited in the 1975 movie Mahogany, directed by her uncle Berry Gordy and produced by his production house, Motown Records. Diana Ross starred as the main character in this romantic comedy film. In 1976, Denise landed a credited role and was featured in an episode of Starsky & Hutch, after which she made a brief appearance in the hit ABC sitcom Charlie’s Angels the same year.
Denise Gordy kept on moving forward in her acting career and in 1977, featured in the film Little Ladies of the Night and also a role in Scott Foplin. She began the 1980s with appearances on television shows such as Enos, At Ease, the NBC prime-time serial opera, Naked Essence, ABC Fantasy Island, and That’s a Life. Other notable movies she has featured in include D.C Cabin (1983), My Man Adam, Daughters of School Reform, It’s a Living (1985), and many others.
Denise ended her career as an actor and singer in 1991 after featuring in the drama thriller Toy Soldiers.
Denise Gordy was Once Richard Lawson’s Wife
Denise Gordy was formerly married to actor Richard Lawson. Information on how they met is not available from any source, but just like many love stories, the couple had become friends and dated for some time before getting married. The ex-couple had their wedding on December 31, 1978, and lived happily together as husband and wife until their relationship went sour, and they divorced in 1989.
Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Bianca Lawson, who was born on March 20, 1979, in Los Angeles, California. Denise had a second child, Marvin Gaye III, who was born November 17, 1965, but he was later adopted by Gordy’s aunt, Anna Gordy.
At the time of Marvin Gaye III’s birth, his adoptive father, singer Marvin Gaye, was 26 years old and married to Gordy’s aunt, Anna – who was 17 years his senior. Denise consented to be the child’s mother because her aunt was unable to conceive. Anna adopted Marvin III after his 16th birthday.
Denise’s aunt, Anna, had publicly shown a fake pregnancy just before the kid was born. The media was led to assume that he was their real son until Denise confirmed in 1998 that she was Marvin Gaye III’s biological mother. The Gordy family is unaware of Marvin Gaye III’s biological father, as Denise has never revealed who he was.
Denise Gordy’s Husband is Also a Popular Actor
Denise Gordy’s ex-husband, Richard Lawson, is an actor. He began his career in the early 1970s and has since been featured in a number of films and television shows. Among his most famous parts are those in the 1982 film Poltergeist and the NBC drama Dr. Ben Taylor.
Lawson took part in the Vietnam War before becoming an actor and he was wounded in action during the war.
Denise Gordy’s Net Worth is $10 Million
Denise Gordy is said to have a whopping net worth estimated to be $10 million, which she earned from her career in the television industry and other projects she has been associated with as a result of her family’s business-oriented temperament.
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