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Everett Collection
Harry Morgan starred as Col. Potter on the long-running television series "M*A*S*H."
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 gentle 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 Porter 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 prime-time 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.
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I grew up on M*A*S*H and Col. Potter was one of my favorites. He was also a doppleganger for my great-uncle, and was as sweet and genuinely kind on the show as my great uncle was. RIP colonel.
Harry Morgan was a great actor, RIP Harry!
I can’t count the movies I’ve seen him in, especially some of his early ones where he was sometimes billed as Henry Morgan. One of the great character actors of our time.
I first saw Henry Morgan on "PETE & GLADYS" as a child. It was one of my favorite shows. Later I saw him in his earlier movies and most recently as the sheriff in "THE SHOOTIST". He was a fine dramatic actor and had great comic timing as well. I'm glad to know he had such a long and successful life and career.
And so we lose one of the really good guys....RIP, Harry.
His part is M*A*S*H was pretty much perfect. I still watch that show sometimes. It was fun to watch him arrive a tight ass and then quickly mellow out. He as much as anyone made that show what it was I think.
Oh, well. RIP Harry. It was great having you along for so long and you will live on in all our lives for ages in your movies and shows.
Remember, that before he was Col. Potter on M*A*S*H he was Major General Bartford Hamilton Steele...
Man, what a bummer...I liked Col. Potter, was like the TV Grandpa when I was growing up, firm when it required it but fun when it allowed it, and in episodes I re-watch now (obviously much older), he's neat to see as the firm but caring father figure...
RIP, funny man!!!
The article doesn't mention that his real name was Henry Morgan; but since there was another actor at that time with this name, he changed it to Harry Morgan.
MULE FRITTERS! Your were supposed to live forever! Another one of the greats of the screen is gone.
RIP Col. Potter
You were one of the greatest! RIP Col Potter ... we'll miss you but your work lives on!
It was Obama's fault.
No, on second thought, it was Bush's fault.
Ah hell with the blame game, the guy was a great actor, and lived to a VERY respectable age. Well done sir!
I. Love. His. Voice.
Thanks Harry,
For all the great memories throughout your career that you gave the world, you will not ever be forgotton by those like me who grew up watching you.....
I grew up with December Bride and then Pete and Gladys. After that he was Sgt. Friday's side kick and so much more. Harry Morgan was a class act. Luckily we will continue seeing him in M.A.S.H.
My deepest sympathys to her family and friend. He can never be replaced and he will always have a place in my heart.
I am going to miss him so much! He was one of the best!!! M*A*S*H is THE most favorite shows of mine, and he really made it the best! Rest in Peace Harry! You were the best!!!
I loved him as Colonel Potter on MASH! I also remember him playing the crazy General on MASH before he was Potter.
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi mud!!!!
"Not now, Marjorie. I'm inspecting the troops." I bust a gut every time that one is aired.
Harry Morgan wasn't in the original M*A*S*H film. Maybe you're thinking of General Hammond, the character in the original film that was played by George Wood (aka G. Wood).
Mr. Morgan played a crazed general in one early episode of M*A*S*H, prior to his role "Sherm Potter".
@Scuromondo,
Actually Steve is right. Harry Morgan played a crazy general in one episode of the series during the Colonel Blake days (before Colonel Potter).
Oops...I was thinking Steve was saying that Morgan was in the film. But you're right, it looks like he meant that Morgan appeared earlier in the TV series, which I agree is correct.
Yeah...I remember that episode. Hawkeye was being brought up on charges before a military tribunal by this lunatic general (Maj. Gen. Bartford Steele), who ended up losing what was left of his good senses during the trial, and he was singing and he danced right out of the courtroom....funny as hell!!!
I was thinking to myself....this is the same actor who was the deadpan sidekick to Joe Friday on Dragnet??? Harry ended up more than filling the shoes of McLean Stevenson when he left M*A*S*H! A great actor, Harry Morgan! R.I.P.!
One of my favorite MASH episodes. Truly a classic.
RIP Mr Morgan. I loved you in Support Your Local Sheriff, too.
Very good Steve...few remember that fact.
What eed017 is referring to is Harry Morgan's first appearance on M*A*S*H. He was a wacky, crazy General who visited the camp while Lt. Col Blake was still in command:
From my Collector's Handbook:
Season 3 - The General Flipped At Dawn
When General Bradford Hamilton Steele arrives to inspect the 4077, he decides to move the unit closer to the front: an insane idea, but then the General is quite insane. Airdate 9/10/74
Not such a nice man. Read newspaper article below:
And you're perfect? Why bring this up on the eve of his death? Unless you personally knew him and knew he wasn't a good man, I don't think you should be saying he wasn't nice. Why even say something at all except RIP?
Also, you don't know the context of that charge of beating his wife. I'm not saying hitting a woman is ever right, but what if he caught her cheating on him, or she was an abusive drunk wife? I'm just saying that context goes a long way in explaining someones actions.
Susan....you waited until he died to rag on him? Gutless and stupid on your part.
Maybe he was suffering from dementia in his old age. You never know unless you are in a position to actually know the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Listen to me friend, and take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
Doesn't convince me he isn't a nice man. That's very Gossip Tabloid of you to point that out now.
Suesan there is an ahole in every crowd and in this crowd you are the jackass!
Susan you should have spoken up before he died. Congratulations on your nomination for "ButtHole of the Year".
Yeap, trust the Col. to bow out in the blaze of glory. Pearl Harbor Day!
RIP Col. Potter
And he was a Republican/Democrat/Teabagger/Socialist/Capitalist. Discuss!
Or just remember the joy he brought those of us who watched him perform over the years. And do what any normal person would do and say "Col Potter died? That's too bad. Remember that episode where...". And leave it at that.
That was actually Dr. Freedman...said it twice to the group, once near his introduction to the show, and once in the finale.
He was 82 yrs. at the time and the charges were dropped.
Yes, since he was 82 years old at the time, I'd be willing to put money on it being more a medical issue rather than his being a wife beater.
RIP Col. Potter :(
Goodbye, Farewell and Amen for you. Thanks for the great memories.
Alright, that just made me sad. :( Now I have to watch the final episode to have closure.
He always looked old for his age: Playing the Judge in "Inherit The Wind" back in 1960, at the age of 45.
RIP, Col Potter. We'll miss you, sir. Always wished there was an actual Army commander like you.
Here's to one of the understated greats. As a supporting actor, he was a cornerstone to any media he participated in. Somehow, just by being there, he made everything better.
Like a lot of people, I grew up watching MASH. One of the best shows ever made. Anyway, RIP Harry.
so cheating on your husband or being a drunk is an excuse for beating your wife? Give me a break
Are you really that dense? I said, "I'm not saying hitting a woman is ever right." Can you comprehend what I wrote there? In a nutshell, I said hitting a woman is NEVER right. I just said you need to know the context in which something happened before you or anyone else can judge him. For instance, what if his wife attacked him and he hit her in self defense. Back then in 1996, they'd arrest the man over the woman for defending himself, especially if she had a mark on her and he didn't. Now days, they take them both to jail. My point being, you need to know the context before judging the man, but people like you would rather not know the truth and just judge him out right before learning the truth. Sad...
susan-456454 - some women totally deserve a good arse-whippin'.......and you come across as one of them
Susan-456454 . . . get a life and try to enjoy it!
Susan the cat woman... I wonder why
The charges were dropped.
So long, Colonel Potter...HORSE HOCKEY!!!
Don't forget,
"Mule fritters!"
"Jeez Louise!"
"What in the Beelzebub?"
"What in Sam's Hill?"
"Jumping Jehoshaphat's!"
The greatest TV comedy of all time.
All good, but nothing will ever beat:
"MONKEY MUFFINS!"
RIP Col Potter. Loved it when Radar presented him the horse as a gift. Potter walks around backside and "slips" in you know what. Franks says; "that's disgusting!" Potter; "son, to be that's a tip toe through the tulips!" Saddle up Harry, and enjoy the ride.
The Beev - That was my favorite quote from the series! I love that scene! He was a realist - the analogy of a pile of crap in the middle of war was a huge statement. I love the character and the actor. He will be missed. Go with God Harry and, indeed, enjoy the ride!!
Absolutely my favorite episode. It brings a tear to my eye every time it airs.
RIP
Please correct the article to read "Col. Sherman Potter" not "Col. Sherman Porter". That character is his legacy after all. Obviously the person who wrote this wasn't a M*A*S*H fan. Probably born many years after the show went off the air.
...or it could have been a typographical error because it was correct in the first sentence of the article. Some things are not as obvious as they seem at first glance.
Goodbye, Farewell and Amen Colonel Sherman T Potter
The world got a little crappier today...
RIP Harry, and above all, THANK YOU for a lifetime of enriching all of us who saw your work.
We will never forget you Harry.
@susan-456454
Is that the worst you can find on him. Really? A story about the man's death, and you bring this up?
You are a rude person.
I can still watch MASH reruns and laugh like crazy!! No matter how many times I've seen an episode....
AND I remember Harry Morgan in Dragnet too. Great actor!! They don't make 'em like that anymore!!
I had almost forgotten him in that series. It was a great show too but it was so long ago and his part in M*A*S*H was so delightful in comparison.
I watch M*A*S*H reruns all the time because we bought the complete boxed set (the one in the OD Green cover) a year or two ago. Some of the best money I've ever spent (at least on entertainment)!
They have been running Mash re-runs on TV Land.
I also remember him as Officer Gannon opposite Jack Webb in "Dragnet" back in the 1960's and 1970's.
You've earned your rest, Officer Gannon and COL Potter.
So long, Farewell, Amen...
Even though I never knew him, I feel like I just found out an old friend had died.
RIP Harry
I actually preferred Col Potter to the original guy McLean Stevenson played. Grew up watching M*A*S*H and reruns of Dragnet - he was a good foil to the straight-laced main character.
My god he was fabulous as Col. Potter. Will never forget the first scene with Radar sunbathing and the horn. 'Stick that horn up... '
"Stick that horn in your ear..."
"On your feet, soldier, I'm Colonel Potter..."
The image of Radar trying to cover up his "nudidity" as he realizes who he just told off always cracks me up.
The name "Wangenstein" came up in one of the episodes.
"permission to cover my neckededity, sir?"
I also watch MASH reruns and love the bits of Col Potter and Sophie, as well as the drinking bits ("Up the Rebels"). Thanks, Harry and congratulations on a long life.
RIP Harry Morgan, aka Bill Gannon "Dragnet" Col. Potter "M*A*S*H".
RIP Col. Potter. Thank you for all the laughs, smiles and fun. You were great to watch and I thank you for that. Be careful to avoid all the "road apples" on your way.