Robert Morse

2022 - 4 - 21

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Robert Morse, Impish Tony-Winning Comedy Star, Is Dead at 90 (The New York Times)

He dazzled as a charming corporate schemer in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” His later triumphs included a memorable role on “Mad Men.”

He appeared in more than a dozen episodes of the 2000 CBS series “City of Angels” as the unpredictable chairman of an urban hospital. He spent a summer with the Peterborough Players in New Hampshire, came to New York and, after trying and failing to get an acting job, joined the Navy in 1950. In addition to guest appearances on various shows in the 1960s and ’70s, he co-starred with the actress E.J. Peaker in the 1968 series “That’s Life,” an unusual hybrid of sitcom and variety show that told the story of a young couple’s courtship and marriage through sketches, monologues, singing and dancing. “I’m the short, funny guy,” he said ruefully in a 1972 Times interview. After his discharge four years later, he moved back to New York and enrolled at the American Theater Wing. I happen to have a comic flair, but that doesn’t mean I plan to spend my life as a comedian.” Among the show’s many high points was the washroom scene in which Mr. Morse delivered a heartfelt rendition of the song “I Believe in You” while gazing rapturously into a mirror. His success in that show led to movie offers, but not to movie stardom; he rarely had a screen vehicle that fit him comfortably. He kept busy in the ensuing years, but choice roles were scarce, and he battled depression. It was Mr. Morse’s last appearance on Broadway for more than a decade. The 1967 film adaptation, with Mr. Morse and Mr. Vallee repeating their roles, was a hit as well, and the show has been revived on Broadway twice. Then came his star-making turn in “How to Succeed.”

Robert Morse, 'Mad Men' and Broadway Star, Dies at 90 (Variety)

Robert Morse, who translated Broadway stardom into a film career and later starred in 'Mad Men,' has died. He was 90.

Morse did not return to Broadway until he appeared in “Tru” in 1989-90, and he did not appear on the Rialto again after that. The pixie-like Morse is excellent, with both voice and facial expressions right on target all the time.” Morse not only sang but danced in the musical; later, in reviewing the actor’s performance in “Tru,” Frank Rich of the New York Times said, “Mr. Morse kicks a loose-limbed leg as high and friskily as he did when joining Bob Fosse’s hoedown for the ‘Brotherhood of Man’ finale in ‘How to Succeed.’ “ He also studied with Lee Strasberg. He made his stage debut in 1949 production of “Our Town” in New Hampshire. In 1976, he appeared in the musical “So Long, 174th Street,” whose source material was a book by Carl Reiner. He earned his first Emmy nomination for his work on the series. Makeup man Kevin Haney, whose credits include the movies “Altered States” and “Wolfen,” turned Morse into the bloated mass that Capote became before he died in 1984. The enormous hit ran for more than 1,400 performances and was adapted for the big screen in a 1967 film in which Morse reprised his starring role of J. Pierpont Finch. In 2010, he shared the SAG Award that “Mad Men” won for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series. “The opportunity to shine in the spotlight that Matt Weiner gave me — it was an absolute love letter. The eccentric Bert Cooper was known for his bow ties and his collection of Japanese art and architecture; while at times he seemed indifferent to the business affairs at Sterling Cooper, he could be crafty and manipulative when necessary. “A huge talent and a beautiful spirit. Sending love to his son Charlie & daughter Allyn. Had so much fun hanging with Bobby over the years – filming People v OJ & hosting so many screenings (How To Succeed, Loved One, That’s Life).”

Tony award winner and 'Mad Men' star Robert Morse dies at 90 (NPR)

Robert Morse, who starred in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying as a young actor and, decades later, returned to the corporate world with TV's ...

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Robert Morse, star of Mad Men and Broadway, dies aged 90 (The Guardian)

The actor is best known for playing Bert Cooper in the hit drama, and twice won Tony awards for stage roles.

His final episode saw him drawing on his Broadway skills for a big musical number following his death, as he performed a song-and-dance routine to The Best Things in Life Are Free, having peacefully died during Neil Armstrong’s 1969 moon landing. Sending love to his son Charlie & daughter Allyn. Had so much fun hanging with Bobby over the years – filming People v OJ & hosting so many screenings (How To Succeed, Loved One, That’s Life).” Robert Morse, who starred in the hit US drama Mad Men, has died at the age of 90.

Robert Morse, two-time Tony-winning actor, dies at 90 (Bay to Bay News)

FILE - Robert Morse appears at the live read and series finale of "Mad Men" held in Los Angeles on May 17, 2015. Morse, who won a Tony Award as a ...

“I don’t think in terms of whether a picture will help or hinder my career,” Morse told the Los Angeles Times when the film was in production. Still, he said of his career, “I didn’t think it was going to end or not end. “Say, Darling” was a comedy about a young writer’s experience as his novel is turned into a Broadway show. “But there’s a desperate side of Capote, too, and Morse rises to the pain.” It was the other 22 hours I had a problem with.” I never got a chance to be in a play or picture where I played a father, or had a family, or where I could feel or show something. He has an innate sense of comedy and a funny face to go with it.” “As played with unfaltering bravura and wit by Robert Morse, he is a rumpled, dimpled angel with a streak of Lucifer.” (Meanwhile, a 1995 Broadway revival of “How to Succeed...” brought another Tony for its Finch, Matthew Broderick.) More recently, he played the autocratic and eccentric leader of an advertising agency in “Mad Men,” AMC’s hit drama that debuted in 2007. “I consider myself an actor — shyly,” he told the Los Angeles Times in 1964. The boyishly handsome Morse first made his name on Broadway in the 1950s, and landed some roles in Hollywood comedies in the 1960s.

Mad Men star Robert Morse dies at the age of 90 (RTE.ie)

Robert Morse, who played Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency founder Bertram Cooper in the AMC drama Mad Men, has died at the age of 90.

Morse won his first Tony Award for his role in the hit 1961 musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He went on to star in the 1967 film version. He previously won his first and only Emmy for the American Playhouse presentation of his stage performance as Truman Capote in a recording of Jay Presson Allen's play Tru. The Tony- and Emmy-winning actor is probably best known on this side of the Atlantic for his Mad Men role, which earned him no fewer than five Emmy nominations between 2008 and 2014.

Mad Men actor Robert Morse has died (Q102)

The actor, who played Bertram Cooper in the drama Mad Men, died on Wednesday night at the age of 90 his son revealed. Morse was also known for staring in ...

Sending love to his son Charlie & daughter Allyn. Had so much fun hanging with Bobby over the years - filming People v OJ & hosting so many screenings (How To Succeed, Loved One, That’s Life)— Larry Karaszewski (@Karaszewski) pic.twitter.com/H1vCD3jjul April 21, 2022 A huge talent and a beautiful spirit. My good pal Bobby Morse has passed away at age 90.

Robert Morse, two-time Tony-winning actor, dies aged 90 (Irish Examiner)

Actor Robert Morse, who won a Tony Award as a hilariously brash corporate climber in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and a second one a ...

Robert Morse, star of 'Mad Men' and Broadway, dies at 90 - CNN (CNN International)

Morse played Bert Cooper on "Mad Men," garnering several Emmy nominations, and originated the lead in the Tony-winning musical "How to Succeed in Business ...

Morse performed guest spots and voice acting on dozens of series, from "Fantasy Island" to "American Crime Story: The People v. He reprised the role in the 1967 film adaptation. "I find the center of the stage, I find the center of me, and I feel like I belong.

Mad Men star Robert Morse has died aged 90 (thejournal.ie)

Morse first made his name on Broadway in the 1950s, and landed some roles in Hollywood comedies in the 1960s.

Still, he said of his career: “I didn’t think it was going to end or not end. I never got a chance to be in a play or picture where I played a father, or had a family, or where I could feel or show something. It was the other 22 hours I had a problem with.” He has an innate sense of comedy and a funny face to go with it.” “I think of who I’m working with.” Say, Darling was a comedy about a young writer’s experience as his novel is turned into a Broadway show. I just ploughed on. (Meanwhile, a 1995 Broadway revival of How To Succeed… brought another Tony for its Finch, Matthew Broderick.) The wild child in me never had a chance to grow up.” The play was based on the creation of The Pajama Game, and Morse’s character, a “boy producer” who hated being called that, was modelled on Harold Prince, a Pajama Game co-producer. “I don’t think in terms of whether a picture will help or hinder my career,” Morse told the Los Angeles Times when the film was in production. “But there’s a desperate side of Capote, too, and Morse rises to the pain.”

Robert Morse, two-time Tony-winning actor, dies at 90 (Bay to Bay News)

FILE - Robert Morse appears at the live read and series finale of "Mad Men" held in Los Angeles on May 17, 2015. Morse, who won a Tony Award as a ...

Robert Morse, two-time Tony-winning actor, dies at 90 (Daily Ardmoreite)

NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Robert Morse, who won a Tony Award as a hilariously brash corporate climber in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and ...

“But there’s a desperate side of Capote, too, and Morse rises to the pain.” He has an innate sense of comedy and a funny face to go with it.” (Meanwhile, a 1995 Broadway revival of “How to Succeed…” brought another Tony for its Finch, Matthew Broderick.) “As played with unfaltering bravura and wit by Robert Morse, he is a rumpled, dimpled angel with a streak of Lucifer.” More recently, he played the autocratic and eccentric leader of an advertising agency in “Mad Men,” AMC’s hit drama that debuted in 2007. “I consider myself an actor — shyly,” he told the Los Angeles Times in 1964.

Robert Morse

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