Howard Morris was an American actor best known for his roles in “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Your Show of Shows,” and various animated series. He was an accomplished voice actor and comedian who significantly contributed to television and film throughout his career.
Personal and Family Life
Born on September 4, 1919, in The Bronx, New York, Howard was of Jewish descent. He married three times and had six children from his marriages. His first wife was Mary Helen McGowan, whom he divorced in 1958. Later, he was married to Dolores A. Wylie from 1962 until their divorce in 1977.
Career Highlights
Howard made significant contributions to both stage and screen. He entertained troops during WWII, performing in Shakespearean productions directed by Maurice Evans. After the war, he became part of the famed “Your Show of Shows” ensemble and went on to lend his voice to popular characters in cartoons such as Atom Ant, Jughead Jones, and several others in Hanna-Barbera productions. He also directed notable television sitcoms and worked as a comedic actor in various films.
Death and Legacy
Howard Morris passed away on May 21, 2005, in Los Angeles due to congestive heart failure. He left behind a legacy of memorable characters and numerous contributions to entertainment, especially in the world of animation and television comedy.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| History of the World: Part I | 1981-06-12 | Court Spokesman – The Roman Empire |
| Splash | 1984-03-09 | Dr. Zidell |
| Dying Young | 1991-06-20 | Voice on Jetsons (voice) |
| High Anxiety | 1977-12-25 | Professor Lilloman |
| Boys’ Night Out | 1962-06-21 | Howard McIllenny |
| Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree | 1966-02-04 | Gopher (voice) |
| The Nutty Professor | 1963-06-04 | Mr. Elmer Kelp |
| Way… Way Out | 1966-10-26 | Schmidlap |
| Don’t Drink the Water | 1969-11-11 | Pilot (uncredited) |
| Return to Mayberry | 1986-04-13 | Ernest T. Bass |
| The Andy Griffith Show | 1960-10-03 | Ernest T. Bass |
| The Atom Ant Show | 1965-10-02 | Atom Ant (voice) |
| Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers | 1989-03-04 |