Gordon Clapp | Celebrity Net Worth 2026

Biography & Early Wealth Journey

Gordon Clapp is best known for playing Detective Greg Medavoy on the ABC police drama "NYPD Blue." He appeared on the series for its entire 12-season run and won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance. Medavoy was one of the show's most memorable supporting characters: awkward, decent, nervous, funny, and quietly effective as part of the 15th Precinct ensemble.

Although "NYPD Blue" made Clapp familiar to television audiences, his career has stretched across film, theater, and television for decades. He has appeared in several films directed by John Sayles, including "Return of the Secaucus Seven," "Matewan," "Eight Men Out," and "Sunshine State." He also earned a Tony Award nomination for the 2005 Broadway revival of David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross." His later credits include "Deadwood," "Damages," "Chicago Fire," "Mare of Easttown," "American Rust," and "Poker Face."

Early Life

Gordon Clapp was born on September 24, 1948, in North Conway, New Hampshire. He attended Williams College, graduating in 1971. While at Williams, he met future collaborators including filmmaker John Sayles and actor David Strathairn.

Primary Income Streams & Multi-Million Contracts

Clapp also studied at the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. That stage training became the foundation of his career. Long before he became known as a television detective, Clapp worked as a theater actor and built the kind of versatile character-actor résumé that allowed him to move easily between stage, film, and TV.

Film and Television Career

Clapp began appearing on screen in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He developed an early association with John Sayles, appearing in "Return of the Secaucus Seven" in 1980, "Matewan" in 1987, "Eight Men Out" in 1988, and "Sunshine State" in 2002. In "Eight Men Out," he played Chicago White Sox catcher Ray Schalk.

His other film credits include "Running," "Termini Station," "The Rage: Carrie 2," "Rules of Engagement," "Flags of Our Fathers," "The Game Plan," "Taking Chance," and "The Perfect Guy."

Real Estate, Luxury Assets & Personal Investments

On television, Clapp appeared in series such as "Check It Out!," "Night Court," "Cheers," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "The Outer Limits," and "Civil Wars" before landing his defining role on "NYPD Blue" in 1993.

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"NYPD Blue"

Wealth Trajectory & Future Earnings Projections

Clapp played Detective Greg Medavoy on "NYPD Blue" from 1993 to 2005. The series was one of the most important police dramas of the 1990s, known for its gritty style, adult storytelling, and ensemble cast.

Medavoy was not the show's flashiest character, but he became one of its emotional anchors. Clapp brought humor, insecurity, warmth, and humanity to the role. His performance won him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1998.

"NYPD Blue" gave Clapp his widest fame and made him a recognizable face to millions of viewers. It also remains the role most closely associated with his career.

Theater Career

Clapp has also had a long stage career. His biggest Broadway success came in the 2005 revival of "Glengarry Glen Ross," in which he played Dave Moss. The production starred Liev Schreiber, Alan Alda, Jeffrey Tambor, Tom Wopat, Frederick Weller, Jordan Lage, and Clapp.

The revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, and Clapp earned a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play. His work in theater has continued to be an important part of his identity as an actor, especially in regional productions and stage roles connected to New England.

Later Work

After "NYPD Blue," Clapp continued working steadily. He appeared in "Deadwood," played Gary Parsons on "Damages," and had guest roles on "Criminal Minds," "Cold Case," "Ghost Whisperer," "Private Practice," "CSI," "Grey's Anatomy," "Elementary," and "Chicago Fire."

In 2021, he appeared in HBO's "Mare of Easttown," playing Pat Ross. He later appeared on "American Rust" and "Poker Face." Those roles introduced him to younger viewers while reminding longtime fans of the quiet authority and character detail that have defined his career.

Personal Life

Clapp was previously married to actress Deborah Taylor. In 2016, he married Elisabeth Gordon.

Real Estate

In 2002, Gordon paid $799,000 for a home in Studio City, California. He sold this home in October 2014 for $1.2 million. A month before the sale, Gordon paid $615,000 for a six-acre property in Norwich, Vermont. This remains his primary home, and today it is worth around $1 million.

Clapp

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