Harry Morgan

Harry Morgan

Harry Morgan Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 7, 2011.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Emmy-winning character actor Harry Morgan, whose portrayal of the fatherly Col. Potter on television's "M-A-S-H" highlighted a show business career that included nine other TV series, 50 films and the Broadway stage, died Wednesday. He was 96.

His daughter-in-law, Beth Morgan, told The Associated Press the actor died at his home in Brentwood after having pneumonia.

"He was side-splittingly funny, a very gent and loving father-in-law," Beth Morgan said. "He was very humble about having such a successful career."

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, including roles on "December Bride," its spin-off "Pete and Gladys," as Sgt. Joe Friday's loyal partner in later "Dragnet" episodes and on CBS-TV's long-running "M-A-S-H" series, for which he earned an Emmy award in 1980.

Yet acting wasn't Morgan's first career choice.

Born in Detroit in 1915, Morgan was studying pre-law at the University of Chicago when public speaking classes sparked his interest in the stage. Before long, he was working with a little-theater group in Washington, D.C., followed by a two-year stint on Broadway in the original production of "Golden Boy," with Karl Malden and Lee J. Cobb.

Morgan made his way to Hollywood in 1942 "without any assurance that I would find work," he said in a 1976 interview with The Associated Press.

"I didn't have enough money to go back East, so I stayed around finding jobs mainly out of friendships."

He signed a contract with 20th Century Fox after a talent scout spotted him in the one-act play, "Hello, Out There."

One of his earliest films was "The Ox Bow Incident" in 1943 with Fonda. Other films included: "High Noon," ''What Price Glory," ''Support Your Local Sheriff," ''The Apple Dumplin g Gang" and "The Shootist."

Morgan began his television career in 1954 when the medium was in its infancy.

"Television allowed me to kick the Hollywood habit of typing an actor in certain roles," Morgan said, referring to his typical sidekick or sheriff portrayals on the big screen

In "December Bride," his first TV series, Morgan played Pete Porter, a perpetually henpecked neighbor. The CBS series lasted from 1954-1959, when he went on to star in his own series, "Pete and Gladys," a spinoff of "December Bride."

Demonstrating his diversity as a character actor and comedian, Morgan also starred in "The Richard Boone Show," ''Kentucky Jones" and "Dragnet."

But it was his role as Col. Sherman Porter on "M-A-S-H" for which Morgan became best known.

"M-A-S-H was so damned good," Morgan told the AP. "I didn't think they could keep the level so high."

His acting career didn't stop after the popular series left the air in 1983 after 11 years - - one of television's most successful prime-time runs. Morgan went on to appear in several made-for-TV movies and other television series, such as "AfterMASH" and "Blacke's Magic."

When he was not on the set, Morgan enjoyed reading books about the legal profession and poetry. He also liked horses, which he once raised on his Northern California ranch.

Morgan is survived by three sons, Charles, Paul and Christopher; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

No services have yet been planned.

Written by GREG RISLING, Associated Press. This report contains biographical material written by former AP staffer Cadonna M. Peyton.


Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press

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August 26, 2024

chip fitts posted to the memorial.

August 26, 2024

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April 14, 2021

john p Lyons posted to the memorial.

1474 Entries

chip fitts

August 26, 2024

I can't think of an actor who could've played Col. Potter as well as you did

chip fitts

August 26, 2024

You were good as Bill Gannon, Joe Friday's sidekick and awesome in MASH as Col. Potter, a caring and kindhearted person and CO. of the 4077 MASH, also an outstannding in all parts you played, comedy or drama. Very amusing as the sheriff in The Flim Flam Man. R.I.P.. Mr. Morgan

john p Lyons

April 14, 2021

Great man .

July 7, 2018

Yes i am from Toledo Ohio..And everytime it was mentioned on MASH, I smiled..Hope you got a chance to visit here and sign a Packo's hot dog bun.

joyce stephan

July 7, 2018

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Victor S Morales

April 4, 2018

You were an inspiration to me. So many times I laughed with you and the whole gang.

george turner

March 28, 2018

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

nate krog

January 27, 2018

my god , are their any chance that another Harry Morgan may come along? he was a delight and best definition of a genius.

Jim Sellers

June 3, 2017

I hope your family finds this.I always loved your work, sir. From the early westerns to the M*A*S*H reunion. You served as mentor to many millions just from your work. May God bless you and your family forever more.
Rev. Jim Sellers

Andy Youells

April 16, 2017

I've been a avid fan of mash most of my adult life. Mr. Morgan was always my favorite. His king Soloman like wisdom mixed with his county attitude Was always funny. He always made me think of my grandfather. I miss them both

Lynda Miller

February 7, 2017

THANKYOU for the childhood memories,Sir❤

January 16, 2017

I will never forget him next to Webb in early Dragnet. One memory was his portrayal of Colonel Potter on M.A.S.H.! NO one ever did it better!

Ruth Cherrick

December 29, 2016

Blessings always.

Ruth Cherrick

December 29, 2016

Thank you for the laughs over the years. God bless you Mr. Morgan. I pray God continues to bless your family.

William Traylor At.

December 22, 2016

Gone but never to be forgotten.

Kathy Ford

December 17, 2016

A very gifted actor and man. Thanks for the memories Colonel Potter. You will not be forgotten. I still watch this show and this character was my favorite of all.

Kitty Zabroski

August 9, 2016

Harry Morgan was a gifted natural actor.There will never be another like him.

Connie

December 14, 2015

You were well loved...RIP

Tom Burns

December 13, 2015

Thanks for all the memories. Colonel Potter may you Rest in Peace! Tom

William Sixt

December 13, 2015

I know your in heaven !! Now with my mom and dad s 32 year csm in the army he loved mash as well God bless you Harry.

Tina Werner

December 13, 2015

Still watch Mash.Would be watching Dragnet if they had it on.Thanks for the memories and God speed.

Tim Popko

December 12, 2015

My wife and I watch MASH to this day.You will be missed by us.Rest in peace Sir.Tim & Tina Popko Ironwood,Michigan.

scott mosher

December 12, 2015

he always made me laugh and think as well

Mary Prince

December 12, 2015

Admirer of your work

Jean Mickey

December 12, 2015

Thank you very much. I loved your laughter and tears.

Jodie Fortner

December 11, 2015

I loved the episode about Radar and Col. Potter when Radar got him Sofie the horse. So touching. Being a horse lover I can understand how Potter felt.

linda smith

December 11, 2015

a guy guy gone from us loved your shows prayers to the family R.I.P

Georganne Reese

December 11, 2015

Wonderful actor! I remember him from Dragnet, then MASH. He will be missed by all of us that loved his acting and the special twinkle in his eye. Well done, sir, well done.

Anthony Varrone

December 11, 2015

Harry Morgan was part of my world-view since the days of "Pete and Gladys", all the way through his years on MASH. I wll miss having him in this world.

Dusty Cassidy

December 11, 2015

Thank you Harry for some awesome memories you will be missed. MASH and Dragnet were 2 of my all time favorites.

November 13, 2015

Another admirer of your work. Thank you.

May 12, 2015

Mr. Harry Moran was one my best actors, Mash,
Dranet,with Jack webb, and great movie he was
in with Jimmie...all his movies wer great to me..he will for be in have heart forever.

Chief James Christian, Okeene P.D. Okeene, Oklahoma 118 W.Madison Street.

Gary Jaramillo

December 22, 2014

I will forever be blessed by having you in my life. God bless you Harry. Sleep now my dear friend. It's been a long wonderful journey.

Harry Simpson

December 7, 2014

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.

Leona Newsome

July 9, 2014

, He is very much missed.He was a great actor.

Mike Fuqua

June 25, 2014

A great authority figure with a sense of humor! Whoever made the decision to cast him as Col. Potter was brilliant! I believe he was one of the main reasons MASH remained so popular! He will always be one of my favorites.

Sheila Stewart

April 24, 2014

Great actor. He will always be remembered. Colonel Sherman T Potter 4077th M A S H.

Sheila Stewart

April 24, 2014

You were great in dragnet but so awesome in M A S H . You have made me laugh during hard times watching M A S H. Great great actor. Rest in peace

BILL and PAMELA GOLDMAN

March 18, 2014

Harry was a Special Man. I'm familiar with most of his work, But M.A.S.H. was always my Favorite. Harry combined a Tough As Nails Colonel with being a CO who cared for All Who Worked For Him. The FINAL M.A.S.H. was his Best, and my Wife and I watch is almost Every Day. Thanks For The Memories, Harry. R.I.P. JOB WELL DONE. LA CHIAM.

John Hays

February 8, 2014

Harry, you were the best!
I watch M*A*S*H almost on a daily basis.
Soft and Safe be thy resting place...

Bill Rothe

January 9, 2014

Great actor in film and television.Loved his comedic personality in "Dragnet".

Harry Cross

January 6, 2014

I grew up on a steady diet of Harry Morgan. Dragnet, Mash, The Shootist among so many others that were fantastic episodes with him in them. Thanks Harry for the years of memories.

Brian Denofrio

April 27, 2013

Rest in Peace!!!!

LARRY TOKACH

March 26, 2013

Mr. Morgan you have a place in Heaven that is well deserved THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Robert Smith

December 29, 2012

He will be missed. I loved watching him in 'Dragnet' and especially in'M*A*S*H'. My prayers are with his family as they go through this loss.

Frank Rios

December 13, 2012

Wow what an actor, man and human being. Thanks for the memories

Gary Collins II

December 4, 2012

Dear Harry,
You were the bomb! Not only you had a long life, but I grew to have loved you in both "Dragnet" & in "M*A*S*H"! You were certainly #1 & I'm so sorry you'll be doing a lot of leadership work in Heaven. Thank you 4 a great 96 years & for working with nearly each and every one of the young people, throughout your long life. Be blessed & DISMISSED!

October 13, 2012

To Harry Morgan,
You did a terrific job playing colonel Potter on the sitcom Mash, you made me laugh. I would just to say that my thoughts and prayers are with your family. Lisa Weiner

jim fetterman

September 3, 2012

What a wonderful actor and from what I understand a great person

June 10, 2012

Harry Morgan is Greatest Actor on M*A*S*H& Dragnet will Never die in his memory.

Grady Youngblood

June 9, 2012

Harry Morgan is the Actor On M*A*S*H &
Dragnet I think He is Great Person.

Earl MacDonald

April 6, 2012

You'll be missed Harry

Earl MacDonald

April 6, 2012

One of the most lovable character actors and most unforgettable. He was great in all his roles, a great lose, Farewell Harry and God bless, you'll be greatly missed

roger carroll

April 2, 2012

Harry you were the best actor and human being

alice singleton

March 2, 2012

A great man an actor love him in every thing he acted in. Harry Morgan will truly be missed. My thoughs an prayers are with his family .

Lisa Weiner

February 18, 2012

To Harry Morgan,
I thought you did a great job in the sitcom Mash. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Lisa Weiner

matt lowery

January 8, 2012

You'll be Truely Missed

Maxine Cloutier

January 8, 2012

Maxine Burmeister Cloutier,
Grad of Muskegon High 1941 fiend of his sister Marguerite.Knew Harry, brother Arnie too. Would like news of them.










grad of Muskegon High

Geoffrey Gooley

January 5, 2012

Dear God take this man under your wing and allow him to show the love up in heaven as he showed on earth. Words alone can't say what I want or what should be said about this man.

William Murphy

January 4, 2012

I got the whole set of videos for Christmas so, we're now watching Mash most every night, we Love watching them over and over.
RIP Mr. Harry Morgan

Lynn Ballard

January 3, 2012

Seeing his obituary at first made me sad - but then just happy that he accomplished so much. You can't be sad and grateful at the same time - got that from an Ann Curry interview and have lived by it ever since. Sorry I don't remember the name of the Rabbi she was interviewing.

Grady Youngblood

December 28, 2011

I pay the Living Tribute to Harry Morgan
for M*A*S*H & Dragnet will Live forevermore Amen.

James Childers

December 27, 2011

RIP Mr. Morgan. You made a difference. What more can anyone ask.

Tom Notartomaso

December 23, 2011

Harry Morgan what an actor so under rated. I bet he incharge of Gods Mash unit now besides making everyone laugh

Grady Youngblood

December 23, 2011

"This the day that Lord has made let us
rejoice and be glad in it" to Tribute to
Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H TV Series & Dragnet; Harry Morgan in Heaven with God
in Christ; Forevermore Amen.

John Bryant

December 23, 2011

Mr Morgan has been a part of our family since as long as I can remember and he always will be part of our family. He lives on through us. God bless your family.

Adam Johnson

December 22, 2011

Who in the world could forget Col. Potter? Definitely not me. Mr. Morgan did a great job in M.A.S.H. My condolences to the Morgan family.

Ed Burns

December 20, 2011

Morgan Family:

I just learned about Mr. Morgan's death today. He was the perfect Col. Sherman Potter. He will be missed.

God Bless!

David Martinez

December 20, 2011

Harry Morgan as Colonel Potter was my childhood hero.I grew up watching M*A*S*H and he wasn't just a character on t.v.,he was a father figure to me.I am proud to say that I am a better father to my children because of role that he played as Colonel Potter.Thanks for the memories and God bless you and your family.

john chapman

December 19, 2011

When col Potter replaced henry blake in M.A.S.H.Every body was wondering how the show was going to pan out.We know that there was a lot of great stars made in that show and Harry Morgan was the brightest

Vicki Hernandez

December 18, 2011

Funny how someone we never personally met felt so much a part of our family. He seemed like such a lovely man. We are touched by his living and his passing. Our prayers are with you.

Robert Dea

December 18, 2011

To the Harry Morgan Family,

For years I have enjoyed watching Harry Morgan in movies and TV shows like "Dragnet" and especially as Colonel Potter in "M*A*S*H". I recall one episode where he made a public announcement to the 4077th M*A*S*H camp he knew they would not like. When he was finished, he waited a few seconds, rekeyed the microphone and said, "Same to you." That one brief moment of humor was just hilariously funny. M*A*S*H was a great show and he was one of the people who brought so much life and believability to the characters who made it so great.

Thank you for sharing him with all of us through the years. He had a wonderful career and life, will be missed but remembered well through his TV and film legacy.

Respectfully submitted,

R. A. Dea

Zoe Quine

December 17, 2011

Harry Morgan is my grandfather. I can't put into words how much I miss him and will always love him. I never thought of him as a famous actor...he was just my grandfather. My favorite person in the world. Unfortunately he never got to meet my son, his great grandson, but I know he is looking down on us. I will always love you grandpa and we are taking care of grandma for you.

PIERRE ROBERGE

December 17, 2011

I own all the mash seasons. Ihave watched mash all my life.and at the age of 45 i still love to watch mash. Harry Morgan has allways been and will allwasy be a big part of of my love for the show. harry morgan lives forever in my thoughts and in my heart Pierre Roberge B.C. CANADA

Tiina Johnston

December 17, 2011

I grew up watching MASH and I loved col. Potter. The world was a better place having him in it. His acting skills will be remembered always. We will all miss him.
S

Liz Ammons

December 17, 2011

You touched countless hearts in your lifetime! You will be missed terribly!

donna martin

December 17, 2011

I loved to watch mash when it came on.He made so many people laugh.

Kerry Cantrell

December 17, 2011

You will be missed.

T. P.

December 16, 2011

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Soon there will come a time when we can see our loved ones again as God has promised.

Doug Williams

December 16, 2011

I had the privilege of working for Mr. Morgan on his Riebli Road property in 1972 as an Explorer Scout. What a gentleman!

Bob No Body

December 16, 2011

Although I never met the man I felt as though I had lost a friend when I heard he had died. I've seen him on TV so often for so many years he seemed as familiar a character as other people I have known. He changed Mash for the better and brought a dimension to it that made the time shared in front of the TV truly refreshing. The characters he portrayed will continue to live on for a long time. He maybe gone but he wont be forgotten...

TIM LOWELL

December 16, 2011

I REMEMBER HIS APPERANCECS IN MOVIES LATER ON DRAGNET HIS EARLY APPEREANCE AS WHACKCY GENERAL STONE ON MASH I TO WOULD HAVE TO SAY FROM A COMEDIC ROLL HARRY MORGAN ROCKS IN MASH BUT AS A DRAMITIC SIDEKICK IN DRAGNET IT'S PURE DRAMA EITHER WAY YOU GOTTA LOVE HIM

December 16, 2011

I still watch his rerun's He kept me laughing all the time
-Bookie Shell {Chester VA }

Loretta Britt

December 16, 2011

Thank you for the many memories of good television programing.

melissa hartwell

December 16, 2011

a great man just a great man

Mary Guidi

December 16, 2011

What a great actor and what a funny man. He impacted so many with Col. Potter- I grew up seeing him on TV. Thank you! Mary Guidi, Bartlett, Tn.

Mary Cook

December 16, 2011

Wonderful memories of a great man, actor and comedian. My son Andrew still watches reruns and movies....laughs with every joke! You will always be alive in our home thanks to the laughter you bring to my son! Rest in peace and our condolences to the family.....The Cook Family...Missouri

Susan Hunter

December 16, 2011

Another great one gone! You will be missed Harry! To all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren - you have been blessed to be so close to a great man, he is in a better place now, and my prayers will be with all of you.

December 16, 2011

We're going to miss you Colonel Potter,Sir..

KATHY MASLANKA

December 16, 2011

I loved to watch him on Mash and Dragnet.
He was a wonderful man to watch. You will be missed by everyone you have touched. RIP HARRY

Cheri and Rick

December 16, 2011

We loved you as Colonel Potter, we still do today and we will always. Thank you for being such a warm, funny influence on MASH! Rest in peace Harry Morgan.

Linda Halsell

December 16, 2011

I grew up on watching M*A*S*H and when I heard of Harry Morgan passing I said a little pray for him and his family. He will be missed. RIP Mr. Morgan, keepem straight up there in heaven...

Cathy Kennedy

December 16, 2011

I always enjoyed him in MASH He will be greatly missed Your family is in my prayers and thoughts RIP Harry

December 16, 2011

very sad to hear of Harry Morgans passing.he was a very funny actor,loved him in M*A*S*H.our prayers and condolences go out to his family.RIP Col.Potter.

M Swindell

December 16, 2011

Im 41 and remember my family and I watching Mash. I really enjoyed the show and Im sorry for the family's loss. May God Bless You all and You all will be in our prayers. He will surely be missed. Sincerely M.Swindell

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August 26, 2024

chip fitts posted to the memorial.

August 26, 2024

chip fitts posted to the memorial.

April 14, 2021

john p Lyons posted to the memorial.