Harry Morgan was a prolific character actor who starred in over 100 films and was a stage performer. Known to a younger generation of fans as "Col. Sherman T. Potter" on _"M*A*S*H" . Afterwards, he retired from show business and lived with his family. Harry Morgan died on December 7, 2011, at age 96. On confirming his death, his son Charles, said that he had been recently treated for pneumonia. Morgan was also one of the oldest living Hollywood male actors.
Father of Christopher Morgan , Charley Morgan , Paul Morgan and Daniel Morgan.
Once belonged to the Group Theater in New York.
Of Norwegian descent, his grandparents were immigrants from Scandinavia.
In the episode "Murder, She Wrote" {The Days Dwindle Down (#3.21)} , he played an LAPD Detective named Webb. In 1967, he had starred as a member of the LAPD in "Dragnet 1967" which was created by and costarred Jack Webb.
Was the former father-in-law of Julie Cobb. In 1988, Cobb married James Cromwell , who had made a guest appearance on "M
A
S
H" .
Once said that he enjoyed playing Colonel Potter on "M
A
S
H" so much that he felt that he could have "gone on forever" playing that character.
In several episodes of "M
A
S
H" , Col. Potter was seen painting portraits, mainly of the other characters. These portraits were actually painted by Morgan.
Reprised his "Dragnet 1967" , Dragnet 1966 and Dragnet character (Officer Bill Gannon) in "The Simpsons" episode "Mother Simpson".
Appeared with Lee J. Cobb , the father of his future daughter-in-law Julie Cobb in How the West Was Won .
Grandfather of Rosemary Morgan , Terence N. Morgan and Jeremy Morgan.
Prior to joining the cast of "M
A
S
H" in the fourth season as the stern but decent Colonel Potter, he appeared in the third season episode "M
A
S
H" {The General Flipped at Dawn } as a crazed general who wanted to move the 4077 unit closer to the front line.
Had four sons by his first wife: Charles and Paul are both attorneys, Christopher Morgan , a TV producer, and Daniel, who died in 1989.
Second wife, Barbara Bushman , is the granddaughter of silent screen star Francis X. Bushman and the daughter of Francis X. Bushman Jr..
Graduated from Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan, in 1933.
In 1942, Morgan had a small part in Orchestra Wives featuring Glenn Miller. In 1953, co-starred in The Glenn Miller Story .
He was an active opponent of the anti-communist campaign in Hollywood.
Grandfather of Spencer Morgan (son of Charles and Charlotte Morgan) of Los Angeles, California.
Started using Harry rather than Henry when comedian Henry Morgan became popular on radio and TV in the early 1960s. Coincidentally, they were only born 11 days apart.
Was good friends with: Julie London , Bobby Troup , Jack Webb , Alan Alda , Gavin MacLeod , Shirley Jones , Robert Horton , Angela Lansbury , Robert Conrad , Larry Manetti , Desi Arnaz , Gale Gordon , Cara Williams , James Arness , Anne Baxter , Kathleen Freeman , Richard Widmark , Dana Andrews , James Stewart , Richard Boone , Rory Calhoun , Norman Lloyd , Karl Malden , Lee J. Cobb , Elia Kazan , Jonathan Winters , McLean Stevenson , Walter Matthau , Gene Reynolds and Jack Elam.
Best remembered by the public for his starring roles as Officer Bill Gannon on "Dragnet 1967" and as Colonel - later Surgeon - Dr. Sherman T. Potter on "M
A
S
H" .
His parents were Henry Bratsberg, a mechanic born in Norway, and Anna Olsen, a housewife born in Sweden.
Before he was a successful actor, he worked as a salesman.
Began his career as a contract player with 20th Century Fox in 1942.
He and future co-star Mike Farrell were both fans of the "M
A
S
H" series, in the early years, before they both joined the cast in 1975.
His "M
A
S
H" character was a heavy drinker and a smoker, as was Morgan, in real-life.
Was a Democrat.
Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Muskegon, Michigan, 42 miles west northwest of Grand Rapids.
Was a spokesperson for both ERA real estate and Toyota in the 1980s.
Was also good friends of John Garfield , Tim Conway and Don Knotts (who starred in both of his movies).
Remained friends with Mike Farrell , Loretta Swit , amongst the rest of the "M
A
S
H" cast, during and after the series cancellation.
The last original cast member of "December Bride" to die.
Despite high ratings, his second series "Dragnet 1967" was canceled at the end of the fourth season, due to Jack Webb s planning on leaving the show, to continue producing both successful series: "Adam-12" and "Emergency!" . Later, Morgan would work with Webb again on both short-lived series: "The D.A." and "Hec Ramsey" .
One of his sons was the friend of one of James Arness s children. One of Morgans sons spent the night at Arness ranch.
By the time Morgan was a junior in high school at Muskegon High School, he won the Debate Championship at the University of Michigans Hill Auditorium, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
He and Jack Webb were best friends from 1949 to Thursday, December 23rd, 1982, when Jack Webb lost his life.
Attended University of Chicago with a major of pre-law, but a lack of finances dropped him out.
Was the last minute replacement for the role of Officer Bill Gannon on the third revival of "Dragnet 1967" , with the help of his best friend Jack Webb.
He replaced McLean Stevenson in the role of Colonel Sherman Potter on "M
A
S
H" , for the series fourth season, primarily because of his long association with Gene Reynolds.
After his last guest-starring role on "Love & Money" , he retired from acting at age 84.
Harry Morgan passed away on December 7, 2011. This day was also actor Eli Wallach s 96th birthday. He and Morgan were both featured actors in the 1963 film How the West Was Won .
Shortly before his death, he and his family had lunch with ex- "M
A
S
H" co-star, Mike Farrell , with his second wife, Shelley Fabares.
Despite not being an original cast member, next to Mike Farrell , he appeared in each and every episode of "M
A
S
H" , with the exception of 2, after he joined the cast in 1975, until its series cancellation in 1983.
Upon his death he was cremated, his ashes are in possession of family.
Upon his return to Muskegon, Michigan, his mother, Anna Olsen, passed away in 1942.
Was regarded as one of the busiest actors on television, who had continuing roles in at least 10 series, which, combined with his guest appearances, amounted to hundreds of episodes.
His favorite actor was Alan Alda , who grew up watching him before he co-starred with Morgan on "M
A
S
H" .
Enjoyed golfing, traveling, dining, fishing, spending time with his family, reading, raising quarter-horses, horseback riding, animals, painting and poetry.
In various episodes of "M
A
S
H" , his real-life wife, Eileen Detchon, stood in for his characters wife, Mildreds portrait on his characters desk.
Died 10 days before his 25th wedding anniversary to Barbara Bushman.
Despite not appearing in the same seasons of "M
A
S
H" with McLean Stevenson , though Morgan guest-starred for one episode, they both starred in The Cat from Outer Space . Morgan played the general, Stevenson played the doctor.
According to his son, Charles, he suffered pneumonia, at the time of his death.
Was charged with abusing his wife a year earlier, after a beating left her with injuries to her eye, foot, and arm. Prosecutors dropped the charges after Morgan completed a six-month domestic violence counseling program. [2 July 1996].
The oldest of three children.
Was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2006.
Survived by his wife, Barbara, of nearly 25 years, his 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
Was supposed to reprise his role as Off. Bill Gannon, on the revival of the third incarnation of "Dragnet" , in 1982, but was unavailable, because he was under contract with 20th Century Fox, hence Kent McCord was supposed to play Jack Webb s new partner in the series. Unfortunately, those two plans have been scrapped when Webb passed away, late in 1982.
Was the second actor to have directed more episodes of "M
A
S
H" , behind co-star Alan Alda.
Played Off. Bill Gannon, three times on: "Dragnet 1967" , Dragnet and "The Simpsons" .
Was a very popular student at Muskegon High School, where he played varsity football, and by his senior year, he was class president.
Through his best friend Norman Lloyd , he worked on an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" .
Died just 6 1/2 months after the death of his best friend James Arness. Morgan guest-starred alongside Arness for 4 episodes of "Gunsmoke" .
His ex- "M
A
S
H" co-star, Larry Linville , died on Morgans 85th birthday in 2000.
His first wife, Eileen Dutchon, died on February 4, 1985, just 7 months before they would have celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary.
Actor Jamie Farr bestowed him a Toledo Mud Hens baseball cap for him to wear.
His widow, Barbara Bushman , was 11 years Morgans junior.
On "M
A
S
H" , his character rode horses, in real-life, he raised quarter horses on a ranch in Santa Rosa, California.
Starred in a pilot of a 1971 TV show alongside E.G. Marshall that did not sell.
Met future wife, Eileen Detchon, in the play My Hearts in the Highlands. They were married for nearly 45 years.
His father and 2 uncles worked on the Erie Canal, after his parents moved to Michigan.
His ex- "M
A
S
H" co-star and neighbor, Loretta Swit , wrote an obituary for him in Entertainment Weeklys Best and Worst 2011 column (29 December 2011).
Had a photographic memory.
Met Cara Williams in the movie, The Saxon Charm . Some 12 years later, she would co-star on the sequel to "December Bride" , "Pete and Gladys" , as Morgans wife.
He and future "M
A
S
H" co-star, Mike Farrell , were both contract players at Universal Studios, before they both joined the cast for the shows fourth season.
When the Writers Guild went on strike, he and "M
A
S
H" co-star, Loretta Swit , were both presented on stage for their own Emmies, when there was no ceremony. Morgan had the award on his desk for over 30 years.
Had wanted to be a lawyer.
Had received the Gold Award of Purple Heart Veterans Rehabilitation Service in the 1970s.
It was Parke Levy s idea for Morgan to star in "Pete and Gladys" , with Cara Williams.
Had never listened to the radio show "December Bride" , until he auditioned for Pete Porter.
Between 1959 and 1983, he received 11 Emmy nominations. He won his only Emmy in 1980 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series.
Had appeared with Robert Conrad three times: "The D.A." , The Wild Wild West Revisited and its sequel More Wild Wild West .
Took acting classes with Elia Kazan.
Was one of the actors to have had the longest acting career than anybody else in the business, between movies and television; behind Mickey Rooney , Bob Hope , Barbara Stanwyck , Eddie Albert and Jane Wyman ; but in-front of Karl Malden and Ernest Borgnine.
Attended the funeral of best friend and actor, Jack Webb , when the actor passed away in 1982.
Traveled to New York City in 1937, where he appeared in several Broadway stage plays.
Made his stage debut in Ben Hecht s "The Front Page," and "The Petrified Forest.".
When he was working as a salesman, he joined the theater group in Washington, D.C.
It was Jack Webb , who allowed Morgan to show his own sense of humor on "Dragnet 1967" .
Through Elia Kazan , he met classmate Eileen Dutchon, where the two would eventually wed in 1940 until her death in 1985.
His father, Henry Bratsberg, worked for war hero, Eddie Rickenbacker, who was also a car designer.
Traveled to Mt. Kisco, New Yorks Summer Stock Theater Company, where he met and acted frequently with Frances Farmer.
Used to play handball with Elia Kazan.
He did summer stock at the Pine Brook Country Club in Nichols, Connecticut.
Appeared in the original production of Golden Boy by Clifford Odoets opposite Luther Adler and Frances Farmer.
Morgans popularity on "M
A
S
H" led him to a trip to Muskegon, Michigan, where he was the spokesperson for Lifesavers Candy.
All of his children were born in Los Angeles, California.
His brother, Arnold Bratsburg, died on January 4, 2001. He lived to be age 81.
Attended Muskegon Community College in Muskegon, Michigan.
Former neighbor of Lionel Stander.
Appeared with Robert Horton in three films of Hortons early career: Apache War Smoke (1952) , Arena and Prisoner of War .
Acting mentor and friends of Jamie Farr , Mike Farrell , David Ogden Stiers and the late John Ritter.
Met Spring Byington in the movie Dragonwyck , exactly eight years later, he would later co-star as her wisecracking neighbor on "December Bride" .
Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide six times.
Before John Ritter would have a successful career, he used to work with him on both of Morgans movies: The Barefoot Executive and Scandalous John .
Two of his grandchildren, by Christopher Morgan , are in the film business.
Met Karl Malden in the play of Golden Boy. They would later be friends for over 70 years until Maldens death in 2009.
Often enjoyed reading poetry.
Neighbor of Loretta Swit.
Played Colonel Sherman T. Potter twice: "M
A
S
H" and its sequel "After MASH" .
Had a dog named Sterling, who died in 2008.
Became best friends with McLean Stevenson from 1974 until his death in 1996.
His favorite movie was The Ox-Bow Incident .
His acting mentor was the late Spring Byington.
Stepfather of Katherine Quine and Victoria Quine.
His son, Daniel Morgan, died in 1989.
Met Lee J. Cobb , Elia Kazan , Sanford Meisner and Karl Malden at a group theater in New York City.
A cowboy buff.
According to his ex- "M
A
S
H" co-star, Mike Farrell , he said in an interview, Morgan would never boast about the famed actors whom he had worked with and befriended, but, if prompted, would happily share memories.
Met Jack Webb in the movie Dark City .
When Morgans father Henry registered at junior high school, the registrar spelled it Bratsburg instead of Bratsberg. His father did not demur.
When Morgan guest-starred on an episode of "Murder, She Wrote" {The Days Dwindle Down (#3.21)} , they used that footage from his movie Strange Bargain .
Acting ran in his family.
His second wife Barbara Bushman had said prior to Morgans arrest, the argument that began during a dinner party earlier in the evening continued when the couple returned home, then turned violent.
Worked at Jack Webb s production company, Mark VIII, from 1966 to 1974.
Longtime friend of John Wayne.
Attended the funeral of McLean Stevenson when the actor passed away in 1996.
On "Dragnet 1967" , his characters wifes name was Eileen, in real-life, his wifes name was also Eileen.
(May 2008) He is attending his grandson Spencers wedding in Houston, Texas.
Morgan served in the US Army during WW2 where he joined other actors making training films. One of his works, "The Rifle Platoon" made in 1942 is available on YouTube.
Appeared as a regular on eleven TV series with no more than one TV season between them: "December Bride" , "Pete and Gladys" , "The Richard Boone Show" , "Kentucky Jones" , "Dragnet 1967" , "The D.A." , "Hec Ramsey" , "M
A
S
H" , "AfterMASH" , "Blackes Magic" and "You Cant Take It with You" .
Perhaps the "MASH" (1972) series will change that situation.
[In 1976] A lot of people live much more simply than in the old days.
[on his popularity while playing the 60-something Col. Sherman T. Potter,on "MASH" (1972) ] Two guys just waved to me and said, "Hi,Colonel", as I was coming to the hotel lobby.
[In 1986] The only ones in town who were moving office equipment in the,teeth of the Depression were the people selling filing cabinets to the,Social Security Administration.
[on the death of his dog, Sterling]: He was a very special dog. .
