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

**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

**KC Dan** · 12-07-2011, 01:01 PM

RIP Colonel

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.

**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.

stonedstooge · 12-07-2011, 01:18 PM

Is he going to be buried in Hannibal?

Halfcan · 12-07-2011, 01:18 PM

**alpha_omega** · 12-07-2011, 01:20 PM

RIP Officer Gannon!
We enjoyed watching you on the small screen over the years. Thank you!

DJ's left nut · 12-07-2011, 01:20 PM

Holy shit - Colonel Potter was still alive?

Man, I figured him for dead a decade ago. Way to go down swinging, Harry.

LiveSteam · 12-07-2011, 01:24 PM

He played in a lot of Westerns back in the 50 & 60s
Bend of the River. Staring Jimmy Stewart. Was another movie Harry Morgan was in.

**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.

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
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12-07-2011, 12:56 PM	#2
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12-07-2011, 01:01 PM	#4
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
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12-07-2011, 01:01 PM	#5
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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?
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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
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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.
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12-07-2011, 01:20 PM	#12
alpha_omega Supporter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $-1800000	RIP Officer Gannon! We enjoyed watching you on the small screen over the years. Thank you!
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12-07-2011, 01:20 PM	#13
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $-860901	Holy shit - Colonel Potter was still alive? Man, I figured him for dead a decade ago. Way to go down swinging, Harry. __________________ "If there's a god, he's laughing at us.....and our football team..." "When you look at something through rose colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."
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12-07-2011, 01:24 PM	#14
LiveSteam The Constitutional Choo choo Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: homeof43conferencetitles Casino cash: $-1694568	He played in a lot of Westerns back in the 50 & 60s Bend of the River. Staring Jimmy Stewart. Was another movie Harry Morgan was in. __________________ Progressivism.. The Politically Correct way of saying "I'm a Communist slash Nazi" depending on what the issue of the day is?
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