Howard Morris

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For the biochemist, see Howard Morris (biochemist).
Howard Morris
Hillside Memorial Park
Other namesHowie Morris
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • director
Years active1937–2005
Spouses
Mary Helen McGowan
​
​
(m. 1945; div. 1962)​
Dolores A. Wylie
​
​
(m. 1962; div. 1977)​
Children4

Howard Jerome Morris (September 4, 1919 – May 21, 2005) was an American actor, comedian, and director. He was best known for his role in

The Atom Ant Show (1965–1966), and Garfield and Friends
(1988–1994).

Life and career

Morris was born to a

First Sergeant. Maurice Evans was the company commander and Carl Reiner and Werner Klemperer were soldiers in the unit. Based in Honolulu, the unit entertained American troops throughout the Pacific.[3]

He came to prominence in appearances on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows (a live sketch comedy series appearing weekly in the United States, from 1950 to 1954). In April 1954, Morris joined Caesar and Carl Reiner in "This Is Your Story," an 11-minute takeoff on Ralph Edwards's This Is Your Life. Morris claimed it was his favorite sketch role.[4] As The New Yorker's David Margolick wrote in 2014,

Though the competition is stiff, many feel that this sketch is the funniest that “Your Show of Shows” ever did . . . . That night nearly sixty years ago, the show produced what is probably the longest and loudest burst of laughter—genuine laughter, neither piped in nor prompted—in the history of television.

Never afraid to have talented people around him, Caesar is actually upstaged here by his second second banana (that is, after Reiner): Howard Morris, who plays Duncey’s long-lost Uncle Goopy, who, overcome with emotion, repeatedly clings to and slobbers over his favorite nephew. Shamelessly milking the moment, Morris throws in all sorts of extra embraces, even clinging to his leg as a lumbering Caesar drags him to the couch. It was a dangerous thing to do, but evidently Morris felt he could do it.[5]

[6]This opinion is shared by The New York Times [7] and Hollywood.com,[8] among others. Conan O'Brien tweeted in 2014, "Saw this Sid Caesar sketch when I was a kid. It made me want to make people laugh."[9] Billy Crystal later called it a defining early influence: "That's how I used to go to bed. I'd grab my dad's leg, and he'd drag me to bed like Sid Caesar."[4] The sketch can be viewed here, Morris enters at the 4:14 mark.

Morris also appeared twice in 1957 in episodes of the short-lived NBC comedy/variety show The Polly Bergen Show.

Although Morris was a classically trained Shakespearean actor, he is best remembered for playing the wily and over-the-top

Way... Way Out and appeared in the movie, Boys' Night Out (1962) starring Tony Randall, Kim Novak and James Garner
.

Voice acting

Morris was first heard in animated cartoons in the early 1960s. He and Allan Melvin teamed up for a 50-episode King Features Syndicate series, Beetle Bailey, for which he and Melvin also wrote a number of episodes. He also provided the voices for Gene Deitch's Academy Award-winning Munro, about a four-year-old boy who was drafted into the Army.

Beginning in 1962, Morris played a variety of voices in many

Breezly Bruin which was similar in tone with the Bill Scott vocalization of Bullwinkle. Morris had a disagreement with Joseph Barbera prior to production of the 1966–1967 season of Magilla Gorilla and Atom Ant and all of his voices were recast, mostly using Don Messick. Years later, the two men reconciled and Morris was back doing those voices and others. He also lent his voice to Forsythe "Jughead" Jones on Filmation's series The Archies through the life of the franchise, 1968–1977. Moreover, he was the voice of Leonard Blush, "The Masked Singer" - he had a skin condition - as well as the regular voice of the Mount Pilot radio station's host on The Andy Griffith Show
.

Morris also voiced the characters Professor Icenstein and Luigi La Bounci in the animated series

Cow & Chicken. Morris supplied the voice of the koala in TV commercials for Qantas from 1967 through 1992 (saying the tagline, "I hate Qantas"),[11] and voiced the character of Gopher in the Disney featurettes Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree and Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. Also in 1989, he voiced a French gangster cat named Monte De Zar (Fat Cat's Cousin) in an episode of Disney's Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
episode "Le Purrfect Crime".

Voice directing

While Morris continued to make himself available for voice and sound effect roles, he also began a new career in voice directing. Among the projects he directed are

Little Clowns of Happytown, The Little Wizards, Space Stars and Kidd Video
.

Directing and later career

Morris directed some episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle, Hogan's Heroes, The Dick Van Dyke Show, the black and white pilot episode of Get Smart and later, episodes of One Day at a Time, Bewitched, and single episodes of many other comedy shows.

Morris also directed Doris Day in her final film, With Six You Get Eggroll (1968). Other films he directed were Don't Drink the Water (1969) and Who's Minding the Mint? (1967).

Mel Brooks occasionally cast Morris in his films. For example, he played Brooks' mentor psychiatrist Dr. Lilloman in the comedy High Anxiety (1977), the emperor's court spokesman ("Here, wash this!") in History of the World, Part I (1981), and played a bum named Sailor living in the streets in Life Stinks (1991).

In 1984, he played Dr. Zidell in Splash, a film directed by Ron Howard (the two had first worked together on The Andy Griffith Show). He worked with his old friend and trouping partner Sid Caesar as nervous Jewish tailors in the 1998 movie of Ray Bradbury's The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit.

He appeared on "The Love Boat" S8 E13 as "has been" comedian Billy Banks in a Christmas-themed vignette "Santa, Santa, Santa" which aired on 12/15/1984. In 1986, he reprised his famous role as Ernest T. Bass in the highly-rated television movie Return to Mayberry. In 1989, he guest starred on Murder, She Wrote. From 1997 to 1999, he played Flem on Cow and Chicken.

Personal life

Morris was married and divorced five times.[12] He was first married to Mary Helen McGowan from 1945 to 1962. He married his second wife Dolores A. Wylie later in 1962; the marriage lasted until 1977 when they divorced.[12] Throughout his marriages, he had three daughters and a son, along with three grandchildren.[12]

Death

On May 21, 2005, Morris died of

congestive heart failure, at the age of 85.[12] At his funeral, the "Uncle Goopy" sketch was shown; among the eulogizers was Carl Reiner, who praised Morris's ability to improvise.[13] He is entombed in Laurel Gardens Wall crypt at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery
in Culver City, California.

Filmography

Film

Television

  • Your Show of Shows (1950–1954) – various roles
  • Caesar's Hour (1954-1957) – various roles
  • The Twilight Zone (1963) – season 4 – episode 12 – I Dream of Genie – George P. Hanley
  • Wanted: Dead or Alive (1961) – episode – Detour – Clayton Armstrong
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1962) (Season 7 Episode 31: "Most Likely to Succeed") - Dave Sumner
  • Thriller (1962) (U.S. TV series) – season 2 – episode 29 – The Lethal Ladies
  • The Flintstones (1962–1965) – 28 episodes – Doctor / Boy / Pilot / Soldier #1 / Sergeant / Cop / Bird #1 / Mr. Rockhard / Charles / Coach / Cat / Boy #1 / Boy #3 / Rodney Whetstone / Dr. Pilldown / Monkey / Letter Opening Bird / Turtle #2 / Guy in Crowd / Clerk / Kid / Porcupine / The Kissing Burglar / Henry / Cop #1 / Ted Stonevan / Tex Bricker / Filbert / Knitting Kneedle / Chisel Bird / Turtle Butler / Jimmy / Quartz / Member #2 / Member #4 / Ticket Taker / Reporter / Guard / Announcer / Pilot / Traffic Cop / Black Lamb / Eddie / Clam / Turtle / Manager / Customer / Dr. Corset / Brick / Bird / Man #1 / Man #3 / Man #4 / Ollie / Slag / Card Player #2 / Bobby / Announcer / Parrot / Herman / Chimp / Horse / Sam / BirdGeneral / Peter / Al / Mop / Tortoise / Mammoth / Alligator / Detective #2 / Hotrock / Oyster / Traffic Cop #2 / Kid #2 / Monkey #2 / Elmo / Elephant / Lucy / TV Announcer / Cat / Buffalo #3 / Emcee / Bird in Tree / Rockoff / Official / Proprietor / Joe / Tall Detective / Customs Man / Percy / Pa / Slab / Possum / 1st Dinosaur / Attendant / Treasurer / Scotsman / Baggage Monkey / Reggie / Horn Bird / Dragon / Actor / Doc / Jethro Hatrock / Spider / Flower / 'Uncle' / TV Announcer / Weirdly Gruesome / The Kissing Burglar / Slab / Waiter
  • The Jetsons (1962–1987) – 14 episodes – Harlan / Bank Security Guard #1 / Traffic Cop / Molecular Motors Video Tailor #2 / Montique Jetson / Nimbus the Great / George's Conscience / Willie / Mr. Tweeter / Emcee / Jet Screamer / Henry Orbit (1 episode) / Boppo Crushstar / CB / Bus Driver
  • The Dick Van Dyke Show (1963) – episode – The Masterpiece – Mr. Holdecker
  • Beetle Bailey (1963) – Beetle Bailey / Gen. Halftrack / Lt. Fuzz / Otto / Chaplain Staneglass / Rocky
  • The Andy Griffith Show (1963–1965) – 8 episodes – Ernest T. Bass / Radio Announcer / Leonard Blush / George – the TV Repairman
  • Make Room for Daddy
     (1964) – episode – The Leprechaun – Sean
  • The Magilla Gorilla Show (1964–1965) – Mr. Peebles
  • Punkin' Puss and Mushmouse
     (1964–1966) – Mushmouse
  • Breezly and Sneezly (1964–1966) – Breezly Bruin
  • The Lucy Show (1965) – Season 4/Episode 2 – "Lucy and the Golden Greek" – Howie (Lucy's blind date)
  • The Secret Squirrel Show
     (1965) – Additional voices
  • The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo (1965) – Prince Valor / Flattop / Egeus / Peter Quince / Demetrius
  • The Atom Ant Show
     (1965–1966) – Atom Ant
  • Alice in Wonderland or What's a Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This?
     (1966) – TV special – The White Rabbit
  • The Archie Show (1968–1978) – Forsythe "Jughead" Jones, "Big Moose" Mason and Dilton Doiley
  • The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park (1972) – Hocus / Pocus
  • My Favorite Martians
     (1973) – Tim O'Hara / Bill Brennan / Brad Brennan / Okey / Chump
  • The Love Boat (1978) – Cruise ship passenger / Stand-up comedian
  • The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show (1979) – Doctor Dome
  • Legends of the Superheroes (1979) – 2 TV specials – The Challenge and The Roast – Dr. Sivana
  • Fantasy Island (1980–1983) – 2 episodes
  • Shirt Tales (1982) – Shutter McBugg
  • Trapper John, M.D. (1982–1984) – 5 episodes – Dr. Jerry Hannigan / Dr. Kauffman
  • Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983) – Additional voices
  • Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls (1983) – TV special – Crazylegs
  • The Yellow Rose (1984) – episode – Sport of Kings – Johnny Hogan
  • The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo (1985) – Bogel / Platypus Duck
  • Star Fairies (1985) - TV special – Dragon Head #1
  • Snorks (1985) – Additional voices
  • Paw Paws (1985–1986) – Trembly Paw
  • The Flintstone Kids (1986–1988) – Additional voices
  • Galaxy High
     (1986) – Professor Icenstein / Luigi La Bounci
  • Sesame Street (1986–1993) – 4 episodes – Jughead Jones
  • Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1987) – Sir Paunch
  • DuckTales (1987–1989) – Dr. Von Swine / Happy Jack / Additional voices
  • Little Clowns of Happytown
     – Mr. Pickleherring
  • Popeye and Son – Bandini the Genie
  • Superman
     (1988) – episode – Triple-Play/The Circus – Prankster / Oswald Loomis
  • The New Yogi Bear Show (1988) – Additional voices
  • Fantastic Max (1988–1989) – Additional voices
  • Police Academy (1988–1989) – Sweetchuck
  • Garfield and Friends (1988–1994) – 121 episodes – Wade Duck / Fox / Wart / Worm / Wolf / additional voices
  • The Further Adventures of SuperTed (1989) – Polka Face
  • The Adventures of Ronald McDonald: McTreasure Island (1989) – Video Short – Hamburglar / Ben Gunn
  • Murder, She Wrote (1989) – episode – Something Borrowed, Someone Blue – Uncle Ziggy
  • Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone (1990) – Dr. Akenhoffer
  • Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (1990) – Maltese de Sade
  • Yo Yogi! (1991) – Murray / Additional voices
  • TaleSpin (1991) – Chief of Mondo Bondo / King Amok / Radio Announcer 2 / 18th Class Postal Clerk
  • Dumb and Dumber (1995) – Daddy / Old Man #2
  • Duckman (1996) — Ernest T. Glob
  • Cow and Chicken (1997–1999) – Flem / P.A. Announcer / Goon / Man 3 (2) / Man 3 (10) / Paramedic / Cootie Victim 1 / Intercom Voice / Pig / Kid (5) / Peasant (3) / General 1 / Peasant (4) / Kid 3 (4) / Man (6)
  • Baywatch (1996) – Fella/Arthur
  • I Am Weasel (1997–2000) – Additional voices
  • The Wild Thornberrys (1999) – Lion #1 / Zebra
  • All Grown Up! (2004) – Doctor

As director

References

  1. ISBN 978-0805237115
    .
  2. ISBN 9781581826586
    .
  3. ^ Foster, Barbara (November 1983). "The Many Facets of a One-Time German Colonel, Werner Klemperer". Orange Coast.
  4. ^ a b Bernstein, Adam (23 May 2005). "Comedian Howie Morris, 85, Dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  5. ^ Margolick, David (14 February 2014). "Sid Caesar's Finest Sketch". The New Yorker. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  6. ^ p.386 H.W. Wilson Company Current Biography Yearbook (1962) H. W. Wilson Co., 1962
  7. ^ Fox, Margalit (25 May 2005). "Howard Morris, an Actor in Television Comedies, Dies at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  8. ^ Arbeiter, Michael (12 February 2014). "Why Sid Caesar's 'This Is Your Life' Parody Is Considered the Funniest Comedy Sketch Ever". Hollywood.com. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  9. ^ O'Brien, Conan. "Conan's Salute to Sid Caesar". Team Coco. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  10. Allmovie
  11. ^ "Qantas Airways Remembers Actor/Director Howard Morris, the Voice of the Qantas Koala" (Press release). Qantas Airways. May 27, 2005. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d Fox, Margalit (May 25, 2005). "Howard Morris, an Actor in Television Comedies, Dies at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  13. ^ "Goodbye, Uncle Goopy - News From ME". 28 May 2005. Retrieved 5 February 2018.

External links

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