NEW YORK -- A funeral was today for Steve Gordon, the director and author of the hit movie 'Arthur,' who died of a 'sudden massive heart attack Saturday in his Manhattan home,' his brother said today in a telephone interview from Toledo, Ohio. He was 44.
'My daughter was with him for lunch on Saturday,' his brother, Dr. Michael Gordon, said. 'He had been to the doctor the Monday before but the doctor said he was normal. He was complaining of chest pains.'
The funeral was scheduled for 11 a.m., in the Bennett Mortuary in Toledo. Gordon grew up in Ottawa Hills, a suburb of Toledo.
Gordon began his career writing commercials in San Francisco in the early 1960s. He also wrote for the television's 'Dick Van Dyke Show, 'Chico and the Man' and 'Barney Miller.'
Gordon's attempts as a playwright culminated in 1972 with a Broadway comedy titled 'Tough to Get Help,' which lasted one night.
He found more success in movie screenplays -- his first film was 'The One and Only,' starring Henry Winkler.
In 1980, Gordon wrote 'Arthur,' starring British comedian Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. The movie made $37 million and was nominated for an Academy Award for best picture.
Sir John Gielgud, who played a butler in the film, won an Oscar for best supporting actor.
