Greg Morris was an American actor who is best known for his role as Barney Collier in Mission: Impossible, as well as parts in Vega$ and The Twilight Zone.
Personal and Family Life
Greg Morris was born on September 27, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio. He had three children: Iona, Linda, and Phil Morris, all of whom pursued careers in entertainment. His father, a trumpet player, left the family when Greg was only three years old, leading him and his mother to experience financial struggles during his youth.
Career
Morris began his acting journey in the early 1960s after moving to Hollywood. He initially had minor roles in shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Twilight Zone, but his breakthrough came with Mission: Impossible, where he played the technical expert from 1966 to 1973. He later starred in Vega$, which led him to settle in Las Vegas.
Death and Legacy
Greg Morris passed away on August 27, 1996, in Las Vegas, Nevada, after battling cancer. He left behind a legacy as a pioneering African American actor during a time when representation in television and film was limited. His children have continued his legacy in the entertainment industry, with Iona even creating a tribute show in his memory.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The New Interns | 1964-06-01 | Dr. Pete Clarke |
| Le peloton d’exécution | 1991-01-01 | Private Jacob Dorn |
| Crisis in Mid-Air | 1979-02-13 | Brian Haley |
| The Doomsday Flight | 1966-12-13 | Balaban, FBI Agent |
| Killer by Night | 1972-01-07 | Capt. George Benson |
| Mission: Impossible | 1966-09-17 | Barney Collier |
| Vega$ | 1978-09-20 | Lt. David Nelson |
| Roots: The Next Generations | 1979-02-18 | Beeman Jones |
| War of the Worlds | 1988-10-07 | General Masters |
| Murder, She Wrote | 1984-09-30 | Andrews |