Morgan began his television career in 1954 when the medium was in its infancy.
“Television allowed me to kick the Hollywood habit of typing an actor in certain roles,” Morgan said, referring to his typical sidekick or sheriff portrayals on the big screen
In “December Bride,” his first TV series, Morgan played Pete Porter, a perpetually henpecked neighbor. The CBS series lasted from 1954-1959, when he went on to star in his own series, “Pete and Gladys,” a spinoff of “December Bride.”
Demonstrating his diversity as a character actor and comedian, Morgan also starred in “The Richard Boone Show,” “Kentucky Jones” and “Dragnet.”
His acting career didn’t stop after “M-A-S-H” left the air in 1983 after 11 years _ one of television’s most successful primetime runs. Morgan went on to appear in several made-for-TV movies and other television series, such as “AfterMASH” and “Blacke’s Magic.”
When he was not on the set, Morgan enjoyed reading books about the legal profession and poetry. He also liked horses, which he once raised on his Northern California ranch.
Morgan is survived by three sons, Charles, Paul and Christopher; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
No services have yet been planned.
___
AP Entertainment Writer Lynn Elber contributed to this report, which contains biographical material written by former AP staffer Cadonna M. Peyton.
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