Posted on 12/07/2011 9:18:42 AM PST by Borges
Harry Morgan, the prolific character actor best known for playing the acerbic but kindly Colonel Potter in the long-running television series M*A*S*H, died Wednesday morning at his home in Los Angeles. He was 96. His son Charles confirmed his death.
In more than 100 movies, Mr. Morgan played Western bad guys, characters with names like Rocky and Shorty, loyal sidekicks, judges, sheriffs, soldiers, thugs and police chiefs.
On television, he played Officer Bill Gannon with a phlegmatic but light touch to Jack Webbs always-by-the-book Sgt. Joe Friday in the updated Dragnet, from 1967 to 1970. He starred as Pete Porter, a harried husband, in the situation comedy Pete and Gladys (1960-62), reprising a role he had played on December Bride (1954-59). He was also a regular on The Richard Boone Show (1963-64), Kentucky Jones (1964-65), The D.A. (1971-72), Hec Ramsey (1972-74) and Blackes Magic (1986).But to many fans he was first and foremost Col. Sherman T. Potter, commander of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital unit in Korea. With a wry smile, flat voice and sharp humor, Mr. Morgan played Colonel Potter from 1975 to 1983, when M*A*S*H went off the air. He replaced McLean Stevenson, who had quit the series, moving into the role on the strength of his performance as a crazed major general in an early episode.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
One of my all-time favorite comedic actors.
While Joe was saying “Just the facts ma’am” old Frank would shake his head up and down...
...or Bill even
A B+W still from “How The West Was Won”
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056085/
Wayne and Morgan as Sherman and Grant
File that in the “I thought he was already dead” file.
Still, RIP.
Was that the one with “Blue Boy?” They showed us that one in grammar school....to make sure we didn’t take drugs.
They were a little early. Should have shown it to us in high school....and then the giggles would have been louder than the TV.
Amen to all you said.
Yes, a good episode.
It freaked me out watching Morgan and Webb in “Appointment with Danger”. “Sgt. Friday” beats “Officer Gannon’s” head in with bronzed baby shoes.
That’s too bad.
I’m only 30, but I grew up watching MASH.
May he and Sophie enjoy their long ride into the sunset.
*sniff*
I’ll see your “Pete & Gladys” and raise you a “December Bride.” He played Spring Byington’s neighbor Pete, and became one of the first spin-off series with “Pete & Gladys.”
Morgan’s politics were far closer to Alda’s than Webb’s, unfortunately.
Granted MASH was the Korean War, but anybody else find it interesting that a man best known for playing a military commander dies on the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor?
On MASH General Steele was his funniest part but I remember Officer Gannon real well
Prayers for his family. GREAT actor.
RIP Harry...
Rest in peace.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.