Movies and TV "M*A*S*H" star Harry Morgan dies at 96 - Page 6

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

Frankie · 12-07-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzo

After-MASH...
We hardly knew yee...
Posted via Mobile Device

That was a terrible idea, most likely by some network suits who still wanted to milk MASH's popularity. What an abortion of a show!

BTW, before I saw HM in good stuff I knew him from Dragnet and always thought of him as a no range cardboard actor.

Kerberos · 12-07-2011, 05:34 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.

Is that when he came into camp and was crazy as a rat in tin sh1thouse? Drove Hawkeye crazy the whole time?

Frankie · 12-07-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerberos

Is that when he came into camp and was crazy as a rat in tin sh1thouse? Drove Hawkeye crazy the whole time?

Crazy and racist.

Frazod · 12-07-2011, 05:53 PM

The first three seasons of MASH were great (although far too liberal for somebody like Donger to appreciate them). After Henry and Trapper left the show started to slide, and when they broke up Frank and Hot Lips and made the show basically Frank v. the World, that was the end. In later seasons it was basically unwatchable. I never saw an episode of After MASH (came out when I was first in the Navy), and I never even heard of it until IMDb.

As such, Potter didn't do much for me, although the character had his moments. MASH reruns still air up here, but I won't watch any of them past season 4.

But anyway, RIP.

**Gonzo** · 12-07-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

That was a terrible idea, most likely by some network suits who still wanted to milk MASH's popularity. What an abortion of a show!

BTW, before I saw HM in good stuff I knew him from Dragnet and always thought of him as a no range cardboard actor.

Yep, they also tried another show with Radar as the main character. I think it was called W*A*L*T*E*R. It was supposed to be a sitcom but they just ended up showing the pilot as a one-time special.
Posted via Mobile Device

Dr. Johnny Fever · 12-07-2011, 06:47 PM

Loved the show. Loved Col. Potter. Sad news. Glad he had a good long life.

chiefqueen · 12-08-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVChiefFan

Along with being nuts.

Mike Farrell isn't too far behind either. Wayne Rogers on the other hand is a very intelligent guy.

...and can be seen on Fox News almost every Sat. morning @ 10:30.

chiefqueen · 12-08-2011, 12:51 PM

In an ironic twist did you know the actors the played Col. Blake died on consective days?

MClean Stevenson (2/15/96)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLean_Stevenson

Roger Bowen (2/16/96)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bowen

Frankie · 12-08-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefqueen

In an ironic twist did you know the actors the played Col. Blake died on consective days?

MClean Stevenson (2/15/96)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLean_Stevenson

Roger Bowen (2/16/96)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bowen

Good trivia.

Here's another irony:

Harry Potter ended in 2011. Harry Morgan aka Colonel Potter expired in 2011.

DEEP, no?!

**Dartgod** · 12-08-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Good trivia.

Here's another irony:

Harry Potter ended in 2011. Harry Morgan aka Colonel Potter expired in 2011.

DEEP, no?!

Scary!

**Rain Man** · 12-09-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I just realized something pretty cool. In one of the M*A*S*H episodes, they're watching a movie in the mess tent. The movie was "State Fair." Harry was actually IN that movie. Pretty cool!

This is still existentially freaking me out.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 12-09-2011, 12:03 PM

wow.....ashamed to admit I thought he died several years ago.

Frankie · 12-09-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I just realized something pretty cool. In one of the M*A*S*H episodes, they're watching a movie in the mess tent. The movie was "State Fair." Harry was actually IN that movie. Pretty cool!

I think some of the characters that had to come in as replacements were judged more harshly. Honeycutt, Potter, Winchester were all filling big shoes. They all did a wonderful job, which is why M*A*S*H was a special show.

TV now has nothing that can come close. Reality TV is total crap, and few comedy shows have the writing chops.

In an episode of Happy Days Mr. & Mrs. Cunningham had returned from the movies having watched "The Courtship of Eddie's Father." She was marveling at how Richie looked like the kid in that movie when he was little. I thought that was funny.

**Rain Man** · 12-09-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

In an episode of Happy Days Mr. & Mrs. Cunningham had returned from the movies having watched "The Courtship of Eddie's Father." She was marveling at how Richie looked like the kid in that movie when he was little. I thought that was funny.

I love that kind of stuff.

Back in the 1970s, Barney Miller and Taxi were back to back in the lineup. Near the end of one of the episodes of Barney Miller, a group was watching TV when someone else arrived. Dietrich said, "Sit down and watch. Taxi's on in five minutes." I found that exceedingly clever and mind-bending.

**Baby Lee** · 12-09-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Yes, the shows crossed over. Laverne was also on Happy Days. As was Mork from Ork.

Laverne AND Shirley were on Happy Days. They played dates for Ritchie and Fonzie.

12-07-2011, 12:51 PM
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: 68,684

12-07-2011, 05:53 PM	#79
Frazod Did you hear what I said? Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-796615	The first three seasons of MASH were great (although far too liberal for somebody like Donger to appreciate them). After Henry and Trapper left the show started to slide, and when they broke up Frank and Hot Lips and made the show basically Frank v. the World, that was the end. In later seasons it was basically unwatchable. I never saw an episode of After MASH (came out when I was first in the Navy), and I never even heard of it until IMDb. As such, Potter didn't do much for me, although the character had his moments. MASH reruns still air up here, but I won't watch any of them past season 4. But anyway, RIP.
Posts: 121,775

12-07-2011, 06:47 PM	#81
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Loved the show. Loved Col. Potter. Sad news. Glad he had a good long life. __________________ courtesy of BoneKrusher "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes a religion." Ernie Harwell
Posts: 34,865

12-08-2011, 12:51 PM	#83
chiefqueen On my throne Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $7892060	In an ironic twist did you know the actors the played Col. Blake died on consective days? MClean Stevenson (2/15/96) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLean_Stevenson Roger Bowen (2/16/96) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bowen
Posts: 4,204

12-09-2011, 12:03 PM	#87
mikeyis4dcats. Scarlett Johansson's boytoy Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $9555998	wow.....ashamed to admit I thought he died several years ago. __________________
Posts: 12,526