Movies and TV "M*A*S*H" star Harry Morgan dies at 96

Deberg_1990 · 12-07-2011, 12:51 PM

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_16...an-dies-at-96/

CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - Harry Morgan, who played the gruff-but-lovable Col. Sherman T. Potter on the long-running series "M*A*S*H," has died. He was 96.

His daughter-in-law, Beth Morgan, says the actor died at his home in Brentwood after suffering from pneumonia.

Pictures: Harry Morgan, 1915-2011

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. His roles included playing Officer Bill Gannon, Sgt. Joe Friday's loyal partner, in the revived version of "Dragnet" from 1967-1970, Pete Porter in both "December Bride" and its spin-off "Pete and Gladys."

But it was his role as Col. Sherman Porter on "M-A-S-H" for which Morgan became best known. He first appeared on the show in 1975, when he replaced McLean Stevenson, until it went off the air in 1983.

In an interview for the Archive of American Television, Mr. Morgan said of his role: "He was firm. He was a good officer and he had a good sense of humor. I think it's the best part I ever had. I loved playing Colonel Potter."

Other shows he made guest appearances on include "The Love Boat," "3rd Rock from the Sun," "Murder, She Wrote" and "The Jeff Foxworthy Show." He also reprised his role as Gannon for an episode of "The Simpsons."

Morgan is survived by his second wife, Barbara Bushman (he was married to Eileen Detchon from 1940 until her death in 1985), three sons from his first marriage and eight grandchildren, according to the New York Times. A fourth son died in 1989

Hydrae · 12-07-2011, 12:56 PM

**KC Dan** · 12-07-2011, 01:01 PM

RIP Colonel

**Old Dog** · 12-07-2011, 01:00 PM

**gblowfish** · 12-07-2011, 01:01 PM

Bummer, he was an amazingly versatile actor. But 96 is a full and happy life. He didn't get cheated.

He talks about his experience doing M*A*S*H here:

http://youtu.be/CSsNagf0do0

LiveSteam · 12-07-2011, 01:04 PM

I liked his roll in the Shoot-est

FAX · 12-07-2011, 01:04 PM

Great actor. He was really good in "Support Your Local Sheriff". He took that role to places that other actors would be afraid to go.

RIP

FAX

**Rain Man** · 12-07-2011, 01:13 PM

I only remember him from MASH, but liked him in that role.

By the way....

Blake was slightly better than Potter
Winchester was slightly better than Burns
Honeycutt wasn't quite as good as McIntyre
Klinger was fine as Klinger, but couldn't fill Radar's shoes in an expanded role

Overall, they filled in the roles well, though none were really as good as the originals.

**fan4ever** · 12-07-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I only remember him from MASH, but liked him in that role.

By the way....

Blake was slightly better than Potter
Winchester was slightly better than Burns
Honeycutt wasn't quite as good as McIntyre
Klinger was fine as Klinger, but couldn't fill Radar's shoes in an expanded role

Overall, they filled in the roles well, though none were really as good as the originals.

Disagree.

Show started going downhill with Blake leaving; way funnier than Potter.

Got worse when touchy, feely, crybaby Honeycutt came on board.

Lost way more when Winchester took over for Burns; Burns was a great character; almost as important as Barney Fife was to the Andy Griffith Show.

Show lost it's way entirely once Alda started directing. Went from being good for a couple of belly laughs each week to some underlying sappy-ass sub-plot. By the time it went off the air I couldn't care less.

WV · 12-07-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fan4ever

Show lost it's way entirely once Alda started directing. Went from being good for a couple of belly laughs each week to some underlying sappy-ass sub-plot. By the time it went off the air I couldn't care less.

I'll give you this one....I loved the Hawkeye character, but Alda was and still is a moonbat IRL.

**pr_capone** · 12-07-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_16...an-dies-at-96/

But it was his role as Col. Sherman Porter on "M-A-S-H" for which Morgan became best known. He first appeared on the show in 1975, when he replaced McLean Stevenson, until it went off the air in 1983.

The bolded part is incorrect. He first appeared on M*A*S*H in 1974 as Maj. Gen. Bartford Hamilton Steele.

That said... RIP Harry Morgan, easily my favorite supporting actor of all time.

**gblowfish** · 12-07-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr_capone

The bolded part is incorrect. He first appeared on M*A*S*H in 1974 as Maj. Gen. Bartford Hamilton Steele.

That said... RIP Harry Morgan, easily my favorite supporting actor of all time.

This is absolutely correct. He did a guest star spot as an inspection-crazy general named General Steele. When inspecting the troops, Klinger came straight at him in a cocktail dress. Gen Steele looked at him and said "Not now, Marjorie, I'm inspecting the troops!"

That guest spot showed everyone how funny he could be, and had a big bearing on choosing Col. Blake's replacement.

BTW:

Frank Burns was a FAR better character than Winchester. Larry Linville was unbelievably good as playing Burns. It's hard to be a convincing weasel. Linvelle was an amazing guy, and died way too young.

Honeycutt and Trapper, about equal. Both good character actors.

Radar better than Klinger. Both funny guys, Radar did drama better.

Blake better than Potter, but just barely.

milkman · 12-07-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

This is absolutely correct. He did a guest star spot as an inspection-crazy general named General Steele. When inspecting the troops, Klinger came straight at him in a cocktail dress. Gen Steele looked at him and said "Not now, Marjorie, I'm inspecting the troops!"

That guest spot showed everyone how funny he could be, and had a big bearing on choosing Col. Blake's replacement.

BTW:

Frank Burns was a FAR better character than Winchester. Larry Linville was unbelievably good as playing Burns. It's hard to be a convincing weasel. Linvelle was an amazing guy, and died way too young.

Honeycutt and Trapper, about equal. Both good character actors.

Radar better than Klinger. Both funny guys, Radar did drama better.

Blake better than Potter, but just barely.

I liked Potter better than Blake.

Never found the Blake character to be at all credible.

WV · 12-07-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

BTW:

Frank Burns was a FAR better character than Winchester. Larry Linville was unbelievably good as playing Burns. It's hard to be a convincing weasel. Linvelle was an amazing guy, and died way too young.

Honeycutt and Trapper, about equal. Both good character actors.

Radar better than Klinger. Both funny guys, Radar did drama better.

Blake better than Potter, but just barely.

Spot on....You will be missed Colonel Potter.

Otter · 12-07-2011, 01:38 PM

RIP

Loved him in MASH

12-07-2011, 12:51 PM	Topic Starter
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $94454	*"MASH" star Harry Morgan dies at 96** http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_16...an-dies-at-96/ CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - Harry Morgan, who played the gruff-but-lovable Col. Sherman T. Potter on the long-running series "MAS*H," has died. He was 96. His daughter-in-law, Beth Morgan, says the actor died at his home in Brentwood after suffering from pneumonia. Pictures: Harry Morgan, 1915-2011 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. His roles included playing Officer Bill Gannon, Sgt. Joe Friday's loyal partner, in the revived version of "Dragnet" from 1967-1970, Pete Porter in both "December Bride" and its spin-off "Pete and Gladys." But it was his role as Col. Sherman Porter on "M-A-S-H" for which Morgan became best known. He first appeared on the show in 1975, when he replaced McLean Stevenson, until it went off the air in 1983. In an interview for the Archive of American Television, Mr. Morgan said of his role: "He was firm. He was a good officer and he had a good sense of humor. I think it's the best part I ever had. I loved playing Colonel Potter." Other shows he made guest appearances on include "The Love Boat," "3rd Rock from the Sun," "Murder, She Wrote" and "The Jeff Foxworthy Show." He also reprised his role as Gannon for an episode of "The Simpsons." Morgan is survived by his second wife, Barbara Bushman (he was married to Eileen Detchon from 1940 until her death in 1985), three sons from his first marriage and eight grandchildren, according to the New York Times. A fourth son died in 1989
Posts: 68,680

12-07-2011, 12:56 PM	#2
Hydrae MVP Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Newport, Or Casino cash: $-1163000
Posts: 14,858

12-07-2011, 01:01 PM	#3
KC Dan Red, White & Blue for the U.S. Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: The Great Northwest now.. Casino cash: $-2265765	RIP Colonel __________________ "And if you don't know where you're going Any road will take you there" - George Harrison
Posts: 7,088

12-07-2011, 01:00 PM	#4
Old Dog Supporter Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Central Kansas Casino cash: $2440201	RIP
Posts: 10,770

12-07-2011, 01:01 PM	#5
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16886178 VARSITY	Bummer, he was an amazingly versatile actor. But 96 is a full and happy life. He didn't get cheated. He talks about his experience doing MAS*H here: http://youtu.be/CSsNagf0do0
Posts: 41,020

12-07-2011, 01:04 PM	#6
LiveSteam The Constitutional Choo choo Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: homeof43conferencetitles Casino cash: $-1694568	I liked his roll in the Shoot-est __________________ Progressivism.. The Politically Correct way of saying "I'm a Communist slash Nazi" depending on what the issue of the day is?
Posts: 44,716

12-07-2011, 01:04 PM	#7
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Great actor. He was really good in "Support Your Local Sheriff". He took that role to places that other actors would be afraid to go. RIP FAX
Posts: 44,492

12-07-2011, 01:13 PM	#8
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-692449 VARSITY	I only remember him from MASH, but liked him in that role. By the way.... Blake was slightly better than Potter Winchester was slightly better than Burns Honeycutt wasn't quite as good as McIntyre Klinger was fine as Klinger, but couldn't fill Radar's shoes in an expanded role Overall, they filled in the roles well, though none were really as good as the originals. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,520