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{{short description|American actor}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Jordan Christopher
| name = Jordan Christopher
| image =
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name = Jordan Christopher Zankoff
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1940|10|23}}
| birthname = Jordan Christopher Zankoff
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| birth_place = [[Youngstown, Ohio]], U.S.
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1940|10|23}}
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1996|1|21|1940|10|23}}
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| birth_place = [[Youngstown, Ohio]], U.S.
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| death_place = [[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1996|1|21|1940|10|23}}
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| yearsactive =
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| death_place = [[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
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| spouse = {{marriage|[[Sybil Burton]]<br>|1965}}
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| yearsactive =
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| homepage =
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| spouse = {{marriage|[[Sybil Burton]]<br>|1966|1996|end=his death}}
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| homepage =
| notable role =
}}
}}

'''Jordan Christopher''' (October 23, 1940 – January 21, 1996) was an [[United States|American]] actor and singer. He was the lead singer of [[The Wild Ones (band)|The Wild Ones]], who recorded the original version of the rock classic "[[Wild Thing (Chip Taylor song)|Wild Thing]]" after Christopher had left the band.
'''Jordan Christopher''' (October 23, 1940 – January 21, 1996) was an American actor and singer. He was the lead singer of [[The Wild Ones (band)|The Wild Ones]], who recorded the original version of the rock classic "[[Wild Thing (The Troggs song)|Wild Thing]]" after Christopher had left the band.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Born in [[Youngstown, Ohio]], to [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonia]]n immigrants Eli and Dorothy Zankoff, he moved at an early age to [[Akron]], where his father ran a downtown bar.
Born in [[Youngstown, Ohio]], to [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonian]] immigrants Eli and Dorothy Zankoff, he moved at an early age to [[Akron]], where his father ran a downtown bar.


==Music and marriage==
==Music and marriage==
Christopher became interested in singing with the rise of rock & roll, spending much of his time at the music clubs in Akron's black section. He formed a [[doo-wop]] group called the Fascinations, who released unsuccessful singles on several small labels in the early 1960s.
Christopher became interested in singing with the rise of rock & roll, spending much of his time at the music clubs in Akron's black neighborhoods. He formed a [[doo-wop]] group called the Fascinations, who released unsuccessful singles on several small labels in the early 1960s.


Christopher's break came when he joined The Wild Ones, the house band at New York's [[Peppermint Lounge]], as singer and guitarist. After a residency at the Peppermint Lounge of eight months, The Wild Ones were hired to play at Arthur, the Manhattan discothèque operated by [[Sybil Christopher|Sybil Williams]], then recently divorced from Richard Burton. Within a month of meeting, Christopher and Williams{{spnd}}eleven years his senior{{spnd}}began dating and married in 1966. They had a daughter named Amy, and he had a daughter named Jodi from a previous marriage.
Christopher's break came when he joined The Wild Ones, the house band at New York's [[Peppermint Lounge]], as singer and guitarist. After a residency at the Peppermint Lounge of eight months, The Wild Ones were hired to play at Arthur, the Manhattan discothèque operated by [[Sybil Christopher|Sybil Williams]], then recently divorced from [[Richard Burton]]. Within a month of meeting, Christopher and Williams{{spnd}}eleven years his senior{{spnd}}began dating and married in 1966. They had a daughter named Amy, and he had a daughter named Jodi from a previous marriage.


Thanks to the publicity Williams received as the ex-wife of Richard Burton, there was great interest in Arthur, and The Wild Ones were able to secure a recording contract with United Artists records, releasing an album, ''The Arthur Sound''. However, Christopher left the band shortly after its release to develop an acting career. Producer [[Gerry Granahan]] later commissioned [[Brill Building]] songwriter [[Chip Taylor]] to write a song specifically for the band. "Wild Thing"{{spnd}}sung by the band's new lead vocalist, Chuck Alden, not Christopher{{spnd}}was the result.<ref>[http://justintricarico.pbworks.com/w/page/13764948/The%20Wild%20Ones%20without%20Jordan Justin Tricarico, "The Wild Ones without Jordan"]. Retrieved 30 October 2015</ref>
Thanks to the publicity Williams received as the ex-wife of Richard Burton, there was great interest in Arthur, and The Wild Ones were able to secure a recording contract with [[United Artists Records]], releasing an album, ''The Arthur Sound''. However, Christopher left the band shortly after its release to develop an acting career. Producer [[Gerry Granahan]] later commissioned [[Brill Building]] songwriter [[Chip Taylor]] to write a song specifically for the band. "Wild Thing"{{spnd}}sung by the band's new lead vocalist, Chuck Alden, not Christopher{{spnd}}was the result.<ref>[http://justintricarico.pbworks.com/w/page/13764948/The%20Wild%20Ones%20without%20Jordan Justin Tricarico, "The Wild Ones without Jordan"]. Retrieved 30 October 2015</ref>


==Acting==
==Acting==

Christopher acted in several films including ''[[The Fat Spy]]'' (1966), ''[[Return of the Seven]]'' (1966), ''[[The Tree (1969 film)|The Tree]]'' (1969), ''[[The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker|Pigeons]]'' (1971), ''[[Star 80]]'' (1983), ''[[Brainstorm (1983 film)|Brainstorm]]'' (1983) and ''[[That's Life! (film)|That's Life!]]'' (1986). However his most celebrated role was as a dissolute rock star in the [[cult film]] ''[[Angel, Angel, Down We Go]]'' (1969), in which he played the male lead opposite [[Jennifer Jones]]. He also appeared on Broadway in ''[[Sleuth (play)|Sleuth]]''.
Christopher acted in several films including ''[[The Fat Spy]]'' (1966), ''[[Return of the Seven]]'' (1966), ''[[The Tree (1969 film)|The Tree]]'' (1969), ''[[The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker|Pigeons]]'' (1971), ''[[Star 80]]'' (1983), ''[[Brainstorm (1983 film)|Brainstorm]]'' (1983) and ''[[That's Life! (film)|That's Life!]]'' (1986). However his most celebrated role was as a dissolute rock star in the [[cult film]] ''[[Angel, Angel, Down We Go]]'' (1969), in which he played the male lead opposite [[Jennifer Jones]]. He also appeared on Broadway in ''[[Sleuth (play)|Sleuth]]''.


==Later life==
==Later life==

Christopher continued to act intermittently, and he worked behind the scenes with his wife in her operation of the [[New Theatre (New York City)|New Theatre]] on 54th Street in New York City and Bay Street Theater in [[Sag Harbor, New York]] .
Christopher continued to act intermittently, and he worked behind the scenes with his wife in her operation of the [[New Theatre (New York City)|New Theatre]] on 54th Street in New York City and Bay Street Theater in [[Sag Harbor, New York]] .


Christopher died of a heart attack on January 21, 1996.
Christopher died of a heart attack on January 21, 1996, at the age of 55.


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 46: Line 45:
|1966|| ''[[The Fat Spy]]'' || Frankie ||
|1966|| ''[[The Fat Spy]]'' || Frankie ||
|-
|-
|1966|| ''[[Return of the Seven]]'' || Manuel ||
|1966|| ''[[The Mike Douglas Show]]'' || Self/Co-host || 3 episodes
|-
|1966|| ''[[Return of the Seven]]'' || Manuel De Norte|| First sequel to ''[[The Magnificent Seven]]''
|-
|1966-1967|| ''[[The Merv Griffin Show]]'' || Self || 2 episodes
|-
|-
|1969|| ''[[The Tree (1969 film)|The Tree]]'' || Buck Gagnon ||
|1969|| ''[[The Tree (1969 film)|The Tree]]'' || Buck Gagnon ||
Line 52: Line 55:
|1969|| ''[[Angel, Angel, Down We Go]]'' || Bogart Peter Stuyvesant ||
|1969|| ''[[Angel, Angel, Down We Go]]'' || Bogart Peter Stuyvesant ||
|-
|-
|1971|| ''[[The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker|Pigeons]]'' || Jonathan ||
|1969|| ''[[The Name of the Game (TV series)|The Name of the Game]]'' || Bruce Roxton || Episode: "Love-In at Ground Zero"
|-
|1970|| ''[[The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker]]'' || Jonathan || Original title: "Pigeons"
|-
|1974|| ''[[The ABC Afternoon Playbreak]]''|| Adam || Episode: "Heart in Hiding"
|-
|1980-1981|| ''[[Secrets of Midland Heights]]''|| Guy Millington || 11 episodes
|-
|-
|1983|| ''[[Star 80]]'' || Peter Rose ||
|1983|| ''[[Star 80]]'' || Peter Rose ||
|-
|1983|| ''[[Hart to Hart]]''|| Alex Fordham || Episode: "Harts on the Scent"
|-
|-
|1983|| ''[[Brainstorm (1983 film)|Brainstorm]]'' || Gordy Forbes ||
|1983|| ''[[Brainstorm (1983 film)|Brainstorm]]'' || Gordy Forbes ||
|-
|1984|| ''[[Paper Dolls]]'' || Oliver || [[Television pilot|pilot episode]]
|-
|1985|| ''Seduced'' || Howell || TV film
|-
|-
|1986|| ''[[That's Life! (film)|That's Life!]]'' || Dr. Keith Romanis ||
|1986|| ''[[That's Life! (film)|That's Life!]]'' || Dr. Keith Romanis ||
|-
|1986-1987|| ''[[Scarecrow and Mrs. King]]'' || Norton Scott/Ren Lepard || 2 episodes
|}
|}


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[[Category:1996 deaths]]
[[Category:1996 deaths]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
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[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Youngstown, Ohio]]
[[Category:Male actors from Youngstown, Ohio]]
[[Category:Male actors from Akron, Ohio]]
[[Category:Male actors from Akron, Ohio]]
⚫
[[Category:Singers from Ohio]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:20th-century male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]

Latest revision as of 03:08, 15 April 2023

Jordan Christopher
Born
Jordan Christopher Zankoff

(1940-10-23)October 23, 1940
Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJanuary 21, 1996(1996-01-21) (aged 55)
New York, New York, U.S.
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1965)​

Jordan Christopher (October 23, 1940 – January 21, 1996) was an American actor and singer. He was the lead singer of The Wild Ones, who recorded the original version of the rock classic "Wild Thing" after Christopher had left the band.

Early life[edit]

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Macedonian immigrants Eli and Dorothy Zankoff, he moved at an early age to Akron, where his father ran a downtown bar.

Music and marriage[edit]

Christopher became interested in singing with the rise of rock & roll, spending much of his time at the music clubs in Akron's black neighborhoods. He formed a doo-wop group called the Fascinations, who released unsuccessful singles on several small labels in the early 1960s.

Christopher's break came when he joined The Wild Ones, the house band at New York's Peppermint Lounge, as singer and guitarist. After a residency at the Peppermint Lounge of eight months, The Wild Ones were hired to play at Arthur, the Manhattan discothèque operated by Sybil Williams, then recently divorced from Richard Burton. Within a month of meeting, Christopher and Williams – eleven years his senior – began dating and married in 1966. They had a daughter named Amy, and he had a daughter named Jodi from a previous marriage.

Thanks to the publicity Williams received as the ex-wife of Richard Burton, there was great interest in Arthur, and The Wild Ones were able to secure a recording contract with United Artists Records, releasing an album, The Arthur Sound. However, Christopher left the band shortly after its release to develop an acting career. Producer Gerry Granahan later commissioned Brill Building songwriter Chip Taylor to write a song specifically for the band. "Wild Thing" – sung by the band's new lead vocalist, Chuck Alden, not Christopher – was the result.[1]

Acting[edit]

Christopher acted in several films including The Fat Spy (1966), Return of the Seven (1966), The Tree (1969), Pigeons (1971), Star 80 (1983), Brainstorm (1983) and That's Life! (1986). However his most celebrated role was as a dissolute rock star in the cult film Angel, Angel, Down We Go (1969), in which he played the male lead opposite Jennifer Jones. He also appeared on Broadway in Sleuth.

Later life[edit]

Christopher continued to act intermittently, and he worked behind the scenes with his wife in her operation of the New Theatre on 54th Street in New York City and Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, New York .

Christopher died of a heart attack on January 21, 1996, at the age of 55.

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1966 The Fat Spy Frankie
1966 The Mike Douglas Show Self/Co-host 3 episodes
1966 Return of the Seven Manuel De Norte First sequel to The Magnificent Seven
1966-1967 The Merv Griffin Show Self 2 episodes
1969 The Tree Buck Gagnon
1969 Angel, Angel, Down We Go Bogart Peter Stuyvesant
1969 The Name of the Game Bruce Roxton Episode: "Love-In at Ground Zero"
1970 The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker Jonathan Original title: "Pigeons"
1974 The ABC Afternoon Playbreak Adam Episode: "Heart in Hiding"
1980-1981 Secrets of Midland Heights Guy Millington 11 episodes
1983 Star 80 Peter Rose
1983 Hart to Hart Alex Fordham Episode: "Harts on the Scent"
1983 Brainstorm Gordy Forbes
1984 Paper Dolls Oliver pilot episode
1985 Seduced Howell TV film
1986 That's Life! Dr. Keith Romanis
1986-1987 Scarecrow and Mrs. King Norton Scott/Ren Lepard 2 episodes

References[edit]

  1. ^ Justin Tricarico, "The Wild Ones without Jordan". Retrieved 30 October 2015

Local history: Fascinating life for Buchtel alum -- Ohio.com

The Making Of… The Troggs’ ‘Wild Thing’ -- Uncut

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jordan_Christopher&oldid=1149893581"