Harry Morgan was an American actor and director. At the time of his passing in December 2011, Harry Morgan’s estate was estimated to be worth $10 million. His wealth accumulated from his consistency on screen, directorial work, business ventures, and real estate investments. Harry Morgan passed away on December 7, 2011, in Los Angeles after battling pneumonia.
Harry Morgan Career Overview
Harry Morgan began his stage career on Broadway, then transitioned into Hollywood, making his screen debut in To the Shores of Tripoli in 1942. Over the following decades, Morgan became a reliable character actor in classic films such as The Ox-Bow Incident in 1943, High Noon, The Big Clock, and The Glenn Miller Story in 1953. In 1962, he formally adopted the stage name Harry Morgan to avoid confusion with a comedian who had the same name.
Morgan’s most celebrated role came as Colonel Sherman T. Potter on MASH* from 1975 to 1983, and its spin-off, After MASH, from 1983 to 1985. This role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award in 1980, solidifying his reputation as a standout supporting actor. On television, Morgan played Pete Porter in December Bride from 1954 to 1959 and its spin-off, Pete and Gladys, and then Officer Bill Gannon on Dragnet from 1967 to 1970.
Morgan has invested in real estate and owns properties in California and Michigan. He continued to earn royalties from his popular shows and earned $30,000 per episode in later seasons of MASH. He appeared in over 100 films and 250 television episodes, won 1 Emmy Award and 4 nominations, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1984.
After retiring from acting in the late 1990s, Morgan lived quietly in Los Angeles. His final acting role was in a 1999 episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun. He passed away on December 7, 2011, at age 96. As an Emmy-winning actor, his family continues to benefit from the popularity of his work.
Details of Harry Morgan’s Early Life
Harry Morgan was born on April 10, 1915, in Detroit, Michigan, to Swedish and Norwegian immigrant parents. He graduated from Muskegon High School and enrolled at the University of Chicago. He dropped out of law school and followed his passion for performance and acting. Harry Morgan’s first marriage was to Eileen Detchon, from 1940 until she died in 1985. Together, they had four sons: Christopher, Charles, Paul, and Daniel, who passed away in 1989. In December 1986, he married Barbara Bushman Quine, granddaughter of silent film star Francis X. Bushman. They remained together until his death.
In July 1996, Morgan was arrested for domestic violence after allegedly striking Barbara, who was hospitalized. The charges were later dismissed following his completion of court-mandated anger-management counseling. Harry Morgan passed away at age 96 on December 7, 2011, in Los Angeles, after battling pneumonia. He lived a successful and fulfilling life pursuing his passion. His net worth of $10 million is a reward for his hard work, investment ideas, and commitment to keep growing.
