Born and raised in the small town of North Conway, New Hampshire, Clapp first appeared in an Equity theater production at the age of 12. He graduated from South Kent High School, a boys' boarding school in Connecticut, where he appeared in several plays.

An English major, Gordon graduated from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, after appearing in a number of drama productions there.

With a group of friends, he became part of a children's touring theater based in Bennington, Vermont, which for three seasons toured New England. Clapp also performed in summer stock in North Conway, then became a Canadian resident in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he appeared for two seasons at the Neptune Theatre.

Subsequently, he moved to Toronto for three years, performing in theater and Canadian TV movies. In 1978, he made his feature film debut, appearing with Michael Douglas in "Running." Then it was back to North Conway to make a film that became a surprise hit, "Return of the Secaucus Seven," directed by his friend John Sayles. Following this, Clapp became a member of the National Arts Center Theatre Company in Ottawa for five seasons. Regional theater in Philadelphia and Buffalo followed.

In 1985, Gordon appeared with Don Adams in "Check It Out," a syndicated sitcom produced in Toronto, where he also appeared in several movies for the Canadian Broadcasting Company.

Two more films for director Sayles followed: "Matewan" and "Eight Men Out." In 1988, he appeared in the film, "Terminal Station," with Colleen Dewhurst.

Clapp moved to Los Angeles in 1989, and soon was cast in the ABC television movie, "Small Sacrifices," with Farrah Fawcett. His television guest appearances include "Night Court," "Cheers," "The Wonder Years," "Cop Rock" and "Civil Wars." He starred with Lori Loughlin in the ABC movie for television, "Abandoned and Deceived."

During hiatus, Clapp filmed the cable television movie, "The Morrison Murders," and the upcoming ABC movie, "Badge of Betrayal."

Clapp is married to actress Deborah Taylor who, in a case of art imitating life, played Marie Medavoy on "NYPD Blue." They have a son named William and live in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.

VITAL STATISTICS
BIRTHPLACE: North Conway, NH
BIRTHDATE: Sept. 24
HEIGHT: 5'7"
HAIR: Red
EYES: Brown

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