Harry Morgan
Actor
About This Interview
Harry Morgan (1915-2011) was interviewed for three-and-a-half hours in Century City, CA. Morgan described his start in show business - acting in summer stock productions - which in turn led to his work in the Group Theater and his notable appearance in "Golden Boy" on Broadway. He talked about his move to Hollywood and how he landed a contract at Twentieth Century Fox in 1942. He spoke briefly about some of the movies he made, including How the West Was Won and High Noon and spoke of several directors for whom he worked. Morgan detailed his early work in television on shows December Bride, Pete and Gladys, and The Richard Boone Show, and recalled his role as "Officer Bill Gannon" on Dragnet opposite Jack Webb. He then recounted, in great detail, his experiences on the classic sitcom M*A*S*H, where he played "Col. Sherman T. Potter." He discussed the show's ensemble cast, the characters they played, the atmosphere on the set, and behind-the-scenes practical jokes. Henry Colman conducted the interview on April 14, 2004.
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Selections from Harry Morgan's 2004 Archive of American Television interview:
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Highlights
Harry Morgan on his M*A*S*H character, Colonel Sherman Potter
Clip begins at: 18:30, Duration: 07m 10s
Harry Morgan on the tone on the set of M*A*S*H
Clip begins at: 25:10, Duration: 01m 01s
Harry Morgan on playing "Bill Gannon" on Dragnet
Clip begins at: 13:24, Duration: 00m 50s- Harry Morgan on co-starring on Pete and Gladys
Clip begins at: 00:56, Duration: 08m 42s 
Harry Morgan on the legacy of M*A*S*H
Clip begins at: 20:06, Duration: 01m 28s
Harry Morgan on how he'd like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 09:15, Duration: 00m 39s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his early years and education; on his first acting jobs and early stage work; on moving to Hollywood; on getting a contract at 20th Century Fox and his early film career; on changing his name
Clip begins at: 0:54 - On his work in December Bride
Clip begins at: 21:08 - Part 2
- On co-starring on Pete and Gladys
Clip begins at: 0:28 - On the Blacklist (he was neighbors with Lionel Stander in later years)
Clip begins at: 09:38 - On playing "Bill Gannon" on Dragnet; on working with Jack Web; on preparing for the role of "Bill Gannon" and working with a teleprompter; on Jack Webb's directing
Clip begins at: 10:23 - Part 3
- On co-starring with Jack Webb on Dragnet; on a typical Dragnet work week and the show's writers; on Dragnet guest stars; on the legacy of Dragnet
Clip begins at: 0:23 - On joining M*A*S*H; on his character "Colonel Sherman Potter;" on preparations for the role; on the medical adviser on M*A*S*H, Dr. Walter Dishell; on his M*A*S*H co-stars
Clip begins at: 14:27 - Part 4
- On his castmates on M*A*S*H; on the relationship between "Hawkeye" and "Hot Lips;" on characters' relationships with "Colonel Potter;" on "Radar's" departure from the show; on Larry Gelbart, Gene Reynolds, Burt Metcalfe and Charles Dubin
Clip begins at: 0:17 - On directing some episodes of the series; on the comedy of the series; on the tone on the set of M*A*S*H; on practical jokes behind-the-scenes
Clip begins at: 20:29 - Part 5
- On M*A*S*H co-stars Gary Burghoff and Loretta Swit; on winning an Emmy for M*A*S*H; on specific episodes "The Interview," "End Run" and others
Clip begins at: 0:18 - On the popularity of M*A*S*H; on the finale of M*A*S*H; on the legacy of M*A*S*H; on After MASH and The Richard Boone Show; on directing Adam-12 and acting in Kentucky Jones
Clip begins at: 14:52 - Part 6
- On the show Kentucky Jones; on Hec Ramsey and Blacke's Magic; on You Can't Take it With You; on friend Norman Lloyd and Alfred Hitchcock Presents; on Gunsmoke, Jack Benny Specials, The Love Boat, and the miniseries Backstairs at the White House
Clip begins at: 0:19 - On guest starring on Murder, She Wrote; on Against Her Will with Walter Matthau; on 3rd Rock From the Sun
Clip begins at: 12:54 - On his feature film work - The Oxbow Incident, High Noon, How the West Was Won; Support Your Local Sheriff, The Apple Dumpling Gang; on directors with whom he's worked
Clip begins at: 19:53 - Part 7
- On his favorite directors; on Jimmy Stewart, George Raft, Marlon Brando, Joan Crawford, Elvis Presley, John Wayne, and Gregory Peck
Clip begins at: 0:18 - On his proudest achievement; on advice to aspiring actors; on how he'd like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 07:02
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Go harry go harry ,wonderful character actor
harry morgan was charged with beating his wife at the age of 81. WTF!
Hary Morgan is the Greatest. his Colonel Potter had Brilliant Surgical Skill, he Reacted Well Under Pressure,Was a Tough and Understanding Commander and Leader.Colonel Potter had and still has Nerves of Steel, Balls Of Solid Rock,and a Heart of Pure Gold.
@alanpetsche Harry Morgan still alive as of September 2010.I love this guy :)
You can tell he gets a little exited when he talks about his Mash character when he briefly states Col. Potter was much like himself. I think deep down in his heart, that was his favorite character he played, even though he may down play it somewhat when he says Dragnet was the highlight of his career. I of course am guessing here.
absolutely incredible. and he's doing soooo well.
@eatmytool1 Earnest Borgnine 1917-Still working age 93, Kirk Douglas 1916-working until 2003 age 94, Eli Wallach 1915 still working -age 95, and Keven MaCarthy 1914 age 96 passed away on September 11th-Was still working in 2010. and Gloria Stewart 1910-age 100. Man, how do these people do it. I guess finding something in life that you love and doing it well.
Well, the guy was 93 years old (today 95 and still with us) when he did this interview. At that age, you're a senior elder and probably forgot way more things than I ever knew, so you get all the slack you want!
His Col. Potter portrayal was the main reason I started watching M*A*S*H. Great actor playing a great character. I wish they'd go back to doing shows like that; I might actually start watching TV again.
@LordZacknafien he's 95...he was born in 1915
He was in the 1966 movie which was released in 1969. He must not remember.
@klaitu2 thank you
Dragnet at 10:14 if anyone's interested.
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