JoeySanJoaquin Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 'M-A-S-H' star Harry Morgan dies at age 96 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Emmy-winning character actor Harry Morgan, whose portrayal of the fatherly Col. Potter on television's "M-A-S-H" highlighted a show business career that included nine other TV series, 50 films and the Broadway stage, died Wednesday. He was 96. His daughter-in-law, Beth Morgan, told The Associated Press the actor died at his home in Brentwood after having pneumonia. "He was side-splittingly funny, a very gent and loving father-in-law," Beth Morgan said. "He was very humble about having such a successful career." Morgan appeared in mostly supporting roles on the big screen, playing opposite such stars as Henry Fonda, John Wayne, James Garner, Elvis Presley and Dan Aykroyd. On television, he was more the comedic co-star, including roles on "December Bride," its spin-off "Pete and Gladys,"* as Sgt. Joe Friday's loyal partner in later "Dragnet" episodes and on CBS-TV's long-running "M-A-S-H" series, for which he earned an Emmy award in 1980. Yet acting wasn't Morgan's first career choice. Born in Detroit in 1915, Morgan was studying pre-law at the University of Chicago when public speaking classes sparked his interest in the stage. Before long, he was working with a little-theater group in Washington, D.C., followed by a two-year stint on Broadway in the original production of "Golden Boy," with Karl Malden and Lee J. Cobb. Morgan made his way to Hollywood in 1942 "without any assurance that I would find work," he said in a 1976 interview with The Associated Press. "I didn't have enough money to go back East, so I stayed around finding jobs mainly out of friendships." He signed a contract with 20th Century Fox after a talent scout spotted him in the one-act play, "Hello, Out There." One of his earliest films was "The Ox Bow Incident" in 1943 with Fonda. Other films included: "High Noon," ''What Price Glory," ''Support Your Local Sheriff," ''The Apple Dumpling Gang" and "The Shootist." Morgan began his television career in 1954 when the medium was in its infancy. "Television allowed me to kick the Hollywood habit of typing an actor in certain roles," Morgan said, referring to his typical sidekick or sheriff portrayals on the big screen In "December Bride," his first TV series, Morgan played Pete Porter, a perpetually henpecked neighbor. The CBS series lasted from 1954-1959, when he went on to star in his own series, "Pete and Gladys," a spinoff of "December Bride."* Demonstrating his diversity as a character actor and comedian, Morgan also starred in "The Richard Boone Show," ''Kentucky Jones" and "Dragnet." But it was his role as Col. Sherman Potter on "M-A-S-H" for which Morgan became best known. "M-A-S-H was so damned good," Morgan told the AP. "I didn't think they could keep the level so high." His acting career didn't stop after the popular series left the air in 1983 after 11 years -- one of television's most successful primetime runs. Morgan went on to appear in several made-for-TV movies and other television series, such as "AfterMASH" and "Blacke's Magic." When he was not on the set, Morgan enjoyed reading books about the legal profession and poetry. He also liked horses, which he once raised on his Northern California ranch. Morgan is survived by three sons, Charles, Paul and Christopher; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. No services have yet been planned. http://news.yahoo.com/m-h-star-harry-morgan-dies-age-96-180159917.html *Desilu connection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 'M-A-S-H' star Harry Morgan dies at age 96 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Emmy-winning character actor Harry Morgan, whose portrayal of the fatherly Col. Potter on television's "M-A-S-H" highlighted a show business career that included nine other TV series, 50 films and the Broadway stage, died Wednesday. He was 96. His daughter-in-law, Beth Morgan, told The Associated Press the actor died at his home in Brentwood after having pneumonia. "He was side-splittingly funny, a very gent and loving father-in-law," Beth Morgan said. "He was very humble about having such a successful career." Morgan appeared in mostly supporting roles on the big screen, playing opposite such stars as Henry Fonda, John Wayne, James Garner, Elvis Presley and Dan Aykroyd. On television, he was more the comedic co-star, including roles on "December Bride," its spin-off "Pete and Gladys,"* as Sgt. Joe Friday's loyal partner in later "Dragnet" episodes and on CBS-TV's long-running "M-A-S-H" series, for which he earned an Emmy award in 1980. Yet acting wasn't Morgan's first career choice. Born in Detroit in 1915, Morgan was studying pre-law at the University of Chicago when public speaking classes sparked his interest in the stage. Before long, he was working with a little-theater group in Washington, D.C., followed by a two-year stint on Broadway in the original production of "Golden Boy," with Karl Malden and Lee J. Cobb. Morgan made his way to Hollywood in 1942 "without any assurance that I would find work," he said in a 1976 interview with The Associated Press. "I didn't have enough money to go back East, so I stayed around finding jobs mainly out of friendships." He signed a contract with 20th Century Fox after a talent scout spotted him in the one-act play, "Hello, Out There." One of his earliest films was "The Ox Bow Incident" in 1943 with Fonda. Other films included: "High Noon," ''What Price Glory," ''Support Your Local Sheriff," ''The Apple Dumpling Gang" and "The Shootist." Morgan began his television career in 1954 when the medium was in its infancy. "Television allowed me to kick the Hollywood habit of typing an actor in certain roles," Morgan said, referring to his typical sidekick or sheriff portrayals on the big screen In "December Bride," his first TV series, Morgan played Pete Porter, a perpetually henpecked neighbor. The CBS series lasted from 1954-1959, when he went on to star in his own series, "Pete and Gladys," a spinoff of "December Bride."* Demonstrating his diversity as a character actor and comedian, Morgan also starred in "The Richard Boone Show," ''Kentucky Jones" and "Dragnet." But it was his role as Col. Sherman Potter on "M-A-S-H" for which Morgan became best known. "M-A-S-H was so damned good," Morgan told the AP. "I didn't think they could keep the level so high." His acting career didn't stop after the popular series left the air in 1983 after 11 years -- one of television's most successful primetime runs. Morgan went on to appear in several made-for-TV movies and other television series, such as "AfterMASH" and "Blacke's Magic." When he was not on the set, Morgan enjoyed reading books about the legal profession and poetry. He also liked horses, which he once raised on his Northern California ranch. Morgan is survived by three sons, Charles, Paul and Christopher; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. No services have yet been planned. http://news.yahoo.com/m-h-star-harry-morgan-dies-age-96-180159917.html *Desilu connection Absolutely terrific character actor who was so memorable in everything he did. From the Lucy/Desilu days of December Bride and Pete and Gladys, my family and I never missed a show he appeared on, i certainly hope HE is in television's Hall of Fame, he certainly deserved his place there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 This is so sad. He was one of my very favourite character actors. He and Verna Felton completely made December Bride. And he was wonderful on the spin-off as well. R.I.P. Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 This is so sad. He was one of my very favourite character actors. He and Verna Felton completely made December Bride. And he was wonderful on the spin-off as well. R.I.P. Harry He never worked with Lucy except on sets at her studio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONALISAISMONALUCY Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 The most memorable actor on television when I was growing up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shemp Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 He never worked with Lucy except on sets at her studio? Not Lucy... but Gale Gordon had a recurring role as 'Uncle Paul' on Harry's sitcom PETE & GLADYS (1960-1962). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Not Lucy... but Gale Gordon had a recurring role as 'Uncle Paul' on Harry's sitcom PETE & GLADYS (1960-1962). Close enough as Pete and Gladys was a spin off of Desilu's second biggest success story after I Love Lucy, December Bride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenorman Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 He never worked with Lucy except on sets at her studio? Claude: Here is what I have: Harry Morgan, of Dragnet and MASH fame; stars with William Frawley (Lucy's Fred Mertz), Crime Doctor's Man Hunt, 1946 and Red Light, 1949; stars with Vivian Vance (Lucy's Ethel Mertz), The Blue Veil, 1951; guest co-star, Desilu Productions’, Cavalcade of America “Who is Byington?”, 1956; December Bride, as Pete Porter, 111 episodes, 1954-1959; (in one of which, “Sunken Den”, 1954, he appears with Desi Arnaz); Here’s Hollywood, 1961; The Untouchables “Doublecross”, 1962; with Lucille Ball, Showbiz Goes to War, 1982; as well as with Lucille and Vivian, via archival footage, 50 Years of Funny Females, 1995, is born this date in 1915. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrison Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 I will always remember this actor as officer Bill Gannon from 60's Dragnet. He definitely will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted December 11, 2011 Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 CBS SUnday Morning ran a great eulogy to Harry this morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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