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 Webb’s 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 “Blacke’s 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 ...
Dragnet Ping.
RIP Harry...you will be missed.
Played the judge in “Inherit the Wind” and Pete in “Pete and Gladys.” (You remember that. Cmon. You must remember that!)
RIP and thank you for some great entertainment.
RIP
Rest in peace! I had no idea the old trouper was still alive. 96!
R.I.P.
Wow. 96 years. What a nice run. Morgan was so talented and generally a kick in the side on screen.
May he Rest in the Peace of Christ.
RIP Mr. Morgan. You will be missed.
How sad. I remember him for so many roles he played throughout the years. My personal favorite was as Jack Webb’s partner on Dragnet. He will be missed. So glad he lived such a long life. Hey Harry, your partner is waiting for you at the Pearly Gates. God Bless You.
He was a great foil to James Garner in “Support Your Local Sheriff”. RIP Mr. Morgan.
RIP Harry - one of the best character actors.
Harry Morgan was great. May he RIP. However, he looks too much like Henry Waxman in this photo . . . ick!
“Horse feathers!”
RIP
I’m very sorry to hear this. I always liked him.
One of my favorite Harry Morgan parts was from Support Your Local Sheriff. He played the counterpart to James Garner’s smooth talking hustler perfectly.
Great actor, quite a career.
RIP
One of my favorite TV actors of all time.
RIP, Sgt. Bill Gannon, and godspeed.
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