Shep Gordon: The Supermensch Interview
OMTIMES: That’s an interesting insight.
Shep Gordon: Yeah. It was a real mindblower for me, because after 40 years that I had never even thought of that. It was, like, interesting to me that I had become hardened to that.
OMTIMES: That–yeah. That’s kind of a wow. I’m going to have to think about that.
Shep Gordon: Absolutely. Yeah. No. It’s very powerful.
OMTIMES: I really love the name of the movie, Supermensch. And I want to know, how one achieves ‘menschdom?’
Shep Gordon: You know, I don’t know. I sort of wake up and I go to sleep. And I do what I do. I think I had a dad who gave me some good qualities, and some really good mentors. And it’s sort of Mike’s name. It wasn’t my name. I think–I don’t know where he came up with it. I’m not sure. But, I remember when he–when we started the process, one of the questions he asked me was, ‘Do you have any things that you’re really proud of, like, any special things in your life?’ And I had gotten a note once from Norman Lear, and he called me a mensch. And having Norman Lear call me a mensch was, like, one of the greatest things of my life.
OMTIMES: I can imagine.
Shep Gordon: And–yep. And I think I showed him the notes, so I have a feeling–although, I never asked him, I have a feeling that’s where the name came from. But, you know, as a Jew to be called a mensch, there’s no higher honor. So, I’m humbled, embarrassed, and thrilled by it all at the same time.
