Robert Morse
Robert Morse | |
---|---|
![]() Morse in 1958 | |
Born | Robert Alan Morse May 18, 1931 Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Died | April 20, 2022 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 90)
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1953–2022 |
Spouses |
|
Children | 5 |
Robert Alan Morse (May 18, 1931 – April 20, 2022) was an American actor. Known for his gap-toothed boyishness, he started his career as a star on
For his roles on
Morse acted in the films The Matchmaker (1958), The Cardinal (1963), and A Guide for the Married Man (1967). Known for his television roles, he played Robert Dickson in the ABC comedy series That's Life from 1968 to 1969, for which he was nominated for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series. Morse attained a career resurgence playing Bertram Cooper in the critically acclaimed AMC period drama series Mad Men from 2007 to 2015.[1][2][3][4] The role earned him nominations for five Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. He portrayed Dominick Dunne in the FX limited series The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016).
Early life
Morse was born on May 18, 1931, in
Career
1954–1967: Breakthrough and acclaim
Morse earned multiple nominations and wins for Tony,
The following year, he played Richard Miller in the musical Take Me Along (1959) based on the Eugene O'Neill play Ah, Wilderness!. Morse acted alongside Jackie Gleason and Walter Pidgeon.[12] For his role, Morse received his second Tony nomination, this time for Best Actor in a Musical.[13]
Morse gained stardom for portraying the young 1960s
He reprised the role in the 1967 film adaptation of the same name.[17] Bosley Crowther of The New York Times praised the film adaptation, citing it as successfully re-creating "just about everything that was conducive to the stage success." Crowther especially noted his performance, writing "Seeing Mr. Morse in close-ups, as those wily expressions cross on his face and those wicked designs of Pal Joey gleam in his Horatio Alger-character eyes, is better than seeing him on the stage".[18] In 1964, Morse co-starred in the comedy film Quick, Before It Melts. The following year, he appeared in the black comedy film The Loved One, a film based on the Evelyn Waugh novel of the same name which satirized the funeral business in Los Angeles, particularly Forest Lawn Cemetery. In 1967, he co-starred in Gene Kelly's A Guide for the Married Man, opposite Walter Matthau, and in Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad, which had been filmed two years previously.[19][20]
1968–2006: Established actor

In 1968, he appeared in the comedy Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? opposite Doris Day. That same year, he acted in the television series That's Life, which attempted to blend the musical genre with a situation comedy centered on newlyweds "Robert" and "Gloria" (played by E. J. Peaker).[21] The series was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series. Additionally, he guest-starred on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.[22] During this time, he also appeared in episodes of Night Gallery, Love, American Style, and Alias Smith and Jones.
Morse was in the original Broadway cast of Sugar, a 1972 musical stage adaptation of Some Like It Hot. T.E. Killam of Time wrote of Morse's performance, "Morse captures the tremor, tenderness, coquettishness and vulnerability of a girl's first love. Morse is an enormously personable stage presence, and he knows it."[23] For the role, he won the Drama Desk Award and was again nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Morse joined other performers, including Marlo Thomas, in creating the 1972 Free to Be... You and Me children's album.[17] He provided the voice for the cartoon character Howler in Hanna-Barbera's Pound Puppies. For Rankin/Bass, he voiced Jack in the 1979 animated special Jack Frost,[24] as well as the main character Stuffy in The First Easter Rabbit.[25] Morse appeared in dozens of TV shows,[26] including Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone.[27] He also appeared on CBS Radio Mystery Theater.[28]
He starred in the 1976 musical
During the 1990s, he also took on numerous voice roles in various animated shows such as Tiny Toon Adventures, Rugrats, Superman: The Animated Series, and The Wild Thornberrys. In 2000, he acted in the CBS medical drama City of Angels playing Edwin O'Malley, acting alongside Blair Underwood, Vivica A. Fox, Viola Davis, and Maya Rudolph. In 2002, Morse was cast as the Wizard of Oz in the San Francisco run of the Stephen Schwartz musical Wicked at the Curran Theatre, and acted opposite Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Morse quit the show before its Broadway opening and was replaced by Joel Grey.[32]
2007–2019: Mad Men and return to Broadway
Beginning in 2007, Morse took on a recurring role in the critically acclaimed
In 2016, he played
Personal life and death
Morse was married twice[30] and had five children.[17] He died at his home in Los Angeles, California, on April 20, 2022, at the age of 90.[38][6]
Acting credits
Film
Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
1956 | The Proud and Profane | Casualty (uncredited) | [39] |
1958 | The Matchmaker | Barnaby Tucker | [39] |
1963 | The Cardinal | Bobby | [39] |
1964 | Honeymoon Hotel | Jay Menlow | [40] |
1964 | Quick, Before It Melts | Oliver Cromwell Cannon | [39] |
1965 | The Loved One | Dennis Barlow | [39] |
1967 | Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad | Jonathan | [41] |
1967 | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | J. Pierrepont Finch | [39] |
1967 | A Guide for the Married Man | Edward L. Stander | [39] |
1968 | Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? | Waldo Zane | [39] |
1970 | The Boatniks | Ensign Garland | [39] |
1987 | Hunk | Garrison Gaylord | [39] |
1987 | The Emperor's New Clothes | Henry | [39] |
2002 | It's All About You | Dr. Flowers | [42] |
2012 | The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez | Burt | [43] |
2016 | Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The Movie | Walter Hoving | [44] |
2019 | Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans | Santa Claus (voice) | [45] |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1954 | The Secret Storm | Jerry Ames #1 | Season 1 Episode 1[40] |
1955 | Goodyear Television Playhouse | — | Episode: "Man on Spikes"[46] |
1956 | The Alcoa Hour | Jiya | Episode: "The Big Wave"[46] |
1957 | Matinee Theatre | Frank Wilson | Episode: "Rain in the Morning"[47] |
1959 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Phil | Season 4 Episode 35: "Touché"[48] |
1959 | Play of the Week | Gustave | Episode: "Thieves Carnival"[49] |
1960 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Len | Season 5 Episode 21: "Hitch Hike"[48] |
1960 | Play of the Week | Professor Pearson | Episode: "The Velvet Glove"[49] |
1961 | Shirley Temple's Storybook | Drum Carpenter | Episode: "Rebel Gun"[50] |
1961 | Naked City | Richy Wilkin | Episode: "Sweet Prince of Delancey Street"[49] |
1968 | The Jonathan Winters Show | Self | Episode: 12 (13 MAR 1968)[51] |
1968–69 | That's Life | Robert Dickson | 26 episodes[40] |
1971 | Alias Smith and Jones | Fred Philpotts | Episode: "The Day They Hanged Kid Curry"[52] |
1971 | Night Gallery | Roger Blacker | Episode: "Marmalade Wine"[41] |
1971 | Love, American Style | Episode: "Love and the Ledge"[40] | |
1974 | Love, American Style | Everett | Episode: "Love and the Forever Tree"[40] |
1976 | The First Easter Rabbit | Young Stuffy | Voice, television film[39] |
1978 | The Stingiest Man in Town | Young Scrooge | Voice, television film[53] |
1978 | Fantasy Island | Barney Shore | Episode: "The Island of Lost Women"[54] |
1979 | Jack Frost | Jack Frost (voice) | Television film[40][45] |
1982 | All My Children | Harry the Bookie | Episode: "20 July 1982"[49] |
1982 | The Good Book | Host / Narrator / Saloon Indian | Television pilot[55] |
1983 | Monchhichis | Moncho | Voice, 13 episodes[56] |
1983 | One Day at a Time | Frank Sampson | Episode: "Worried Heart"[40] |
1983 | Masquerade | — | Episode: "Pilot"[57] |
1984 | Calendar Girl Murders | Nat Couray | Television film[58] |
1984 | The Fall Guy | Sky Kelly | Episode: "Rabbit's Feet"[57] |
1984 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Dewey Hogg | Episode: "How to Succeed in Hazzard"[40] |
1984 | Tales of the Unexpected | Stephen Shaw | Episode: "Sauce for the Goose"[59] |
1985 | Murder, She Wrote | Marc Faber | Episode: "Broadway Malady"[40] |
1985 | Trapper John, M.D. | Honest Wayne McIntyre | Episode: "A False Start"[40] |
1985 | The Twilight Zone | Cupid | Episode: "Ye Gods"[49] |
1986 | You Again? | Officer Morton | Episode: "The Lush Life"[60] |
1986–87 | Pound Puppies | Howler | Voice, 25 episodes[40] |
1990 | Masquerade | — | Television film[57] |
1991 | ProStars | Additional Voices | Unknown episodes[61] |
1992 | Tiny Toon Adventures | Goopy Geer | Voice, episode: "Two-Tone Town"[40][45] |
1992 | American Playhouse | Truman Capote | Episode: "Tru"[48] |
1993 | Wild Palms | Chap Starfall | 3 episodes[62] |
1995 | Aaahh!!! Real Monsters | Dootch | Voice, episode: "Where Have All the Monsters Gone?"[24][45] |
1995 | Here Come the Munsters | Grandpa | Television film[41] |
1997 | Rugrats | Mr. Koch, Juggler | Voice, episode: "Faire Play"[40][45] |
1997 | Superman: The Animated Series | DeSaad | Voice, episode: "Father's Day"[40][45] |
1997 | Union Square | Santa Claus | Episode: "Jack Gets a Hot Tip"[63] |
1998 | Suddenly Susan | Uncle Bert | Episode: "The Thanksgiving Episode"[40] |
1999 | The Wild Thornberrys | Jake | Voice, episode: "Two's Company"[40][45] |
2000 | City of Angels | Edwin O'Malley | 14 episodes[40] |
2006 | I Did Not Know That | Nick Rabinowitz | Television film[64] |
2007–15 | Mad Men | Bertram Cooper | 58 episodes[48] |
2007 | Jeff Ltd. | Ron | Episode: "Too Many Hens in the Foxhouse"[65] |
2014 | Sofia the First | Marshak, Gnuckles | Voice, 2 episodes[45] |
2014 | The Legend of Korra | Governor | Voice, episode: "After All These Years"[66][45] |
2015–21 | Teen Titans Go! | Santa Claus | Voice, 10 episodes[54][48][45] |
2016 | The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story | Dominick Dunne | [54] |
2016 | Animals | Old Phil | Voice, episode: "Flies."[54][45] |
2019 | Corporate | Terry Sales | Episode: "The One Who's There"[54] |
Theatre
Year | Title | Role | Theatre Venue | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1955–57 | The Matchmaker | Barnaby Tucker | Royale Theatre, Broadway Booth Theatre, Broadway |
[67] |
1958–59 | Say, Darling | Ted Snow | ANTA Theatre, Broadway Martin Beck Theatre, Broadway | |
1959–60 | Take Me Along | Richard Miller | Shubert Theatre, Broadway | |
1961–65 | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying[38] | J. Pierrepont Finch | 46th Street Theatre, Broadway | |
1972–73 | Sugar | Jerry | Majestic Theatre, Broadway | |
1976 | So Long, 174th Street | David | Harkness Theatre, Broadway | |
1980 | Sugar Babies | Bobby | National Tour USA | |
1984 | Duke | Cherry County Playhouse, Michigan | ||
1985–86 | Light Up the Sky | The Old Vic, London | ||
1988 | Babes in Toyland | The Toy Maker | California Music Theatre, Los Angeles | |
1989–90 | Tru[38] | Truman Capote | Booth Theatre, Broadway | |
2003 | Wicked | The Wizard | Curran Theatre, San Francisco | |
2016–17 | The Front Page | Mr. Pincus | Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway |
Video games
- Prototype 2 (2012) – Doctor Anton Koening (voice)[45]
Awards and nominations
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tony Awards | ||||
1959 | Best Featured Actor in a Play | Say, Darling | Nominated | [68] |
1960 | Best Actor in a Musical | Take Me Along | Nominated | [69] |
1962 | Best Actor in a Musical | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Won | [70] |
1973 | Best Actor in a Musical | Sugar | Nominated | [71] |
1990 | Best Actor in a Play | Tru | Won | [72] |
Drama Desk Awards
| ||||
1972 | Outstanding Performance | Sugar | Won | |
1990 | Outstanding Solo Performance | Tru | Won | |
Primetime Emmy Awards | ||||
1969 | Outstanding Variety Series | That's Life | Nominated | [73] |
1993 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie | Tru | Won | [74] |
2008 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | Mad Men | Nominated | [75] |
2010 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | Mad Men: "Shut the Door. Have a Seat." | Nominated | [76] |
2011 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | Mad Men: "Blowing Smoke" | Nominated | [77] |
2013 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | Mad Men: "For Immediate Release" | Nominated | [78] |
2014 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | Mad Men: "Waterloo" | Nominated | [79] |
Screen Actors Guild Awards | ||||
2007 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series | Mad Men | Nominated | [80] |
2009 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series | Won | [81] | |
2010 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated | [82] | |
2012 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated | [83] |
References
- ISSN 0035-791X. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ Simonson, Robert (July 11, 2014). ""Mad Men" and In Your Arms Star Robert Morse on Making Jon Hamm Cry". Playbill. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ "Robert Morse". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "Madmen: Bertram Cooper". AMC. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ "Morse, Robert 1931- (Bobby Morse)". www.encyclopedia.com. Encyclopedia.com.
- ^ a b c Berkvirst, Robert (April 21, 2022). "Robert Morse, Impish Tony-Winning Comedy Star, Is Dead at 90". The New York Times. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ "Robert Morse Obituary (2022) - New York, NY - the New York Jewish Week". Legacy.com.
- ^ Berkvist, Robert (April 21, 2022). "From Newton to Broadway to 'Mad Men,' Robert Morse, 90, did it all". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ a b Rusk, Connie (April 21, 2022). "Mad Men star Robert Morse dies aged 90 after glittering career on screen and stage". Daily Mirror. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ Korean War Vet Robert Morse Conquered Both Broadway and Hollywood Military.com. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Take Me Along (Broadway, 1959)". Playbill. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ "1960 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ Taubman, Howard. "Musical Comedy Seen at 46th Street Theatre", The New York Times, October 16, 1961, p.34
- ^ "Tony Awards: Search Past Winners". The Tony Awards. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ "1961 Grammy Winners". Recording Academy Grammy Awards. November 20, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c Dagan, Carmel. "Robert Morse, 'Mad Men' and Broadway Star, Dies at 90". Variety. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ Crowther, Bosley (March 10, 1967). "Screen: 'How to Succeed' Does Again:Musical With Morse and Vallee Opens". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "A Guide for the Married Man". TCM. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ "OH DAD, POOR DAD, MAMA'S HUNG YOU IN THE CLOSET AND I'M FEELIN' SO SAD". TCM. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ "That's Life (1968)". TV.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ "The Girls in the Band". Time Magazine. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ a b Liebenson, Donald (April 21, 2022). "Robert Morse, Mad Men Boss and Stage Legend, Dies at 90". Vanity Fair. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ISBN 0-8108-2198-2. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ 'Mad Men' star Robert Morse dies at 90, CBS News
- ^ Robert Morse, ‘Mad Men’ Star, Dies at 90
- New York Times.
- ^ "The Emperor's New Clothes (1987)". Moviefone. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ a b Hutchings, David (January 15, 1990). "His Boyishness a Casualty of Age and Experience, Robert Morse Is Reborn as Truman Capote". People.
- ^ Rawson, Christopher (November 17, 1999). "On Stage: New class of theater hall of famers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ISBN 978-1401308209.
- ^ Itzkoff, Dave (May 27, 2014). "Robert Morse on His Big 'Mad Men' Number". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ "'Mad Men's Robert Morse on exit: 'It's an absolute love letter'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "Robert Morse talks O.J. and being Dominick Dunne on 'American Crime Story'". Mashable. 8 March 2016.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (October 26, 2016). "Extra, Extra: Front Page Opens on Broadway Tonight". Playbill. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ "'The Front Page': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 23 October 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Robert Morse, known for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and "Mad Men," dies at 90". KABC-TV. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Robert Morse filmography, tcm.com
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Robert Morse Dies: ‘Mad Men’, ‘How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying’ Actor Was 90, deadline.com
- ^ a b c Robert Morse, Broadway and 'Mad Men' Star, Dies at 90, extratv.com
- ^ It's All About You, IMDb
- ^ Linden, Sheri (6 December 2012). "Review: 'The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez' amuses". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Who knew Donald Trump was the comeback role Johnny Depp needed?, avclub.com
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Robert Morse (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 23, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ a b Tony And Emmy Award Winning Actor Robert Morse Dies At 90, forbes.com
- ^ Rain in the Morning, IMDb
- ^ a b c d e Robert Morse, Mad Men star and Emmy-winning actor, dies at 90, ew.com
- ^ a b c d e ROBERT MORSE, masterworksbroadway.com
- ^ Rebel Gun, IMDb
- ^ Vikki Carr, Robert Morse, Louis Nye, IMDb
- ^ ALIAS SMITH AND JONES, rottentomatoes.com
- ^ The Stingiest Man in Town, radiotimes.com
- ^ a b c d e Robert Morse Dead: ‘Mad Men’ Actor and Broadway Star Dies at 90, usmagazine.com
- ^ The Good Book, IMDb
- ^ Warner Bros. Presents Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1980s DVD Review, dvdizzy.com
- ^ a b c How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Star Robert Morse Dies at 90, playbill.com
- ^ Calendar Girl Murders (1984), BFI
- ^ SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED SEASON 7, rottentomatoes.com
- ^ Lush Life, IMDb
- ^ ProStars, IMDb
- ^ Wild Palms Blu-ray, blu-ray.com
- ^ JACK GETS A HOT TIP UNION SQUARE SEASON 1, rottentomatoes.com
- ^ I Did Not Know That, IMDb
- ^ Jeff Ltd., IMDb
- ^ Robert Morse, Tony-winning Mad Men star, dies at 90, theweek.com
- ^ "Robert Morse". Internet Broadway Database.
- ^ "1959 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "1960 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "1962 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "1973 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "1990 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "21st Primetime Emmy Awards". Emmy Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "45th Primetime Emmy Awards". Emmy Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "60th Primetime Emmy Awards". Emmy Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "62nd Primetime Emmy Awards". Emmy Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "63rd Primetime Emmy Awards". Emmy Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "65th Primetime Emmy Awards". Emmy Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "66th Primetime Emmy Awards". Emmy Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "14th Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "16th Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "17th Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "19th Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
External links
- Robert Morse at the Internet Broadway Database
- Robert Morse at the American Film Institute Catalog
- Robert Morse at IMDb
- Robert Morse at the TCM Movie Database
- Robert Morse at Playbill Vault
- Robert Morse discography at Discogs