Aubrey Morris

LOS ANGELES (AP) — British character actor Aubrey Morris, best known for his role as Mr. Deltoid in "A Clockwork Orange," has died.

His agent, Larry Corsa, confirmed that Morris passed away in Los Angeles on Wednesday at the Barlow Respiratory Hospital, where he'd been under care for several weeks. He was 89.

In his over five-decade career, Morris, who brought a memorable touch of eccentricity to many of his parts, appeared in films including "The Wicker Man," Woody Allen's "Love and Death" and "Lisztomania."

But it was his portrayal of the sniveling probation office to Malcolm McDowell's Alex in Stanley Kubrick's 1971 classic "A Clockwork Orange" that will stand as his most beloved and famous role. As P.R. Deltoid, Morris blended the sinister with the campy and comedic in his scenes with Alex — especially when he unforgettably knocks Alex in the crotch after a wholly unconventional house call.

Morris was also a prolific television actor in Great Britain and the U.S. His small screen work included roles on "The Avengers," ''Murder, She Wrote" and "Deadwood." His last on-screen role was earlier this year in the sitcom "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

One of nine children, the Portsmouth, Hampshire, native studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He made his stage debut in "The Winter's Tale" in 1944 at London's Regent Park and would go on to appear on Broadway.

"Aubrey Morris made the world a better place through the generous use of his extraordinary talent to amuse," Corsa said.


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