Marjoe Gortner, the former child preacher turned actor known for Earthquake and Falcon Crest, has died at 82.

Born Hugh Marjoe Ross Gortner, he was ordained as a minister at age four, the article says.

As a child he traveled the country performing marriages and preaching to large crowds.

His parents amassed significant wealth from the tours, and he later said he had no choice in the lifestyle.

In 1972, he let a documentary crew follow his final revival tour.

The film, Marjoe, exposed manipulation on the revival circuit and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary.

He then acted in Hollywood, playing Jody, a troubled National Guardsman, in the 1974 disaster film Earthquake.

He also appeared in TV dramas such as Falcon Crest, working steadily through the 1970s and 1980s.

He spoke about the toll of his childhood and warned others about religious exploitation.

Read the full article on the life of Marjoe Gortner.