Tales of a Blue Collar Actor

Book excerpt: In The Life of a Blue-Collar Actor, we follow Jordan Rhode's incredible television and Hollywood career that spans over 55 years. And he is still going strong! Jordan has appeared on some of the most legendary TV shows in starring roles working alongside some of the best-known actors of our day. In television he is best known for his roles on The Streets of San Francisco, Quincy, Barnaby Files, The Rockford Files, Marcus Welby, MD and Matlock. He starred in some of the most legendary movies-of-the-week, The Blue and the Grey starring Gregory Peck and Stacy Keach, Once and Eagle starring Sam Elliot, and Testimony of Two Men, plus the cult classic, The Nightstalker starring Darren McGavin to mention a few. Most recently he is known for Marooned, All the Kings Men, The Indian Runner and House of Good and Evil as "Evil". In this memoir, Jordan recounts his adventures and close friendships with Sean Penn, Robert Wagner and Chuck Connors as well as working with the biggest name in film and TV including, John Wayne, Gregory Peck, Charles Bronson, Michael Douglas, Gene Hackman, Jodie Foster, Dennis Hopper, Barbara Rush, James Garner, Stephanie Powers, Jill St. John, Nick Nolte, Leslie Nielsen, Karl Malden, Viggo Mortensen, David Morse, Patricia Arquette, and Linda Cristal to name a few. In 2008 Jordan wrote Produced and starred in the acclaimed stage show PAPA, The Man, The Myth, The Ledged a one-man show which begins and ends on the morning of July 2, 1961, the last day of Hemmingway's life. Told in flashback, PAPA presents the triumphs and tragedies of Hemmingway's fascinating life. Jordan toured the show to many cities around the United States to great critical acclaim. PAPA will get a Broadway revival in 2021.