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{{short description|American comedian}}
{{short description|American comedian (1924-1999)}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Gary Morton
| name = Gary Morton
| image = Garymortonpic.jpg
| image = Garymortonpic.jpg
| image_upright = 0.85
| caption = Gary Morton at the [[61st Academy Awards]]
| caption = Morton at the [[61st Academy Awards]] in 1989
| birth_name = Morton Goldaper
| birth_name = Morton Goldaper
| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|12|19}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|12|19}}
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'''Gary Morton''' (born '''Morton Goldaper'''; December 19, 1924 – March 30, 1999) was a American [[stand-up comedian]], whose primary venues were hotels and resorts of the [[Borscht Belt]] in upstate New York. He was born in New York City.
'''Gary Morton''' (born '''Morton Goldaper'''; December 19, 1924 – March 30, 1999) was an American [[stand-up comedian]] whose primary venues were hotels and resorts of the [[Borscht Belt]] in upstate New York. He was born in New York City, the son of Morris Goldaper and Rose Greenfeder Goldaper, and had a sister, Helen.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.archives.com/1940-census/morton-goldaper-ny-58611160 | title=Morton Goldaper from Assembly District 6 Bronx in 1940 Census District 3-833B }}</ref> Later, he was a producer and studio executive, in association with his second wife, [[Lucille Ball]].


⚫
==Personal life==
==Relationship with Lucille Ball==
⚫
Morton married actress [[Susan Morrow]] on December 17, 1953. They separated in August 1954 and finally on July 11, 1957, the marriage was annulled in Los Angeles.
{{refimprove section|date=July 2018}}
⚫
Morton married actress [[Susan Morrow]] on December 17, 1953. In August 1954 they separated and finally on July 11, 1957, his marriage to Morrow was annulled in Los Angeles.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}


In 1960, Morton met Lucille Ball in New York City a few months before she opened on Broadway in the musical ''[[Wildcat (musical)|Wildcat]]''.<ref name="Pictures-28">{{cite book|title= Lucy: A Life in Pictures|last= Frew|first= Tim|year= 2001|type= Trade paperback
In 1960, Morton met Lucille Ball in New York City a few months before she opened on Broadway in the musical ''[[Wildcat (musical)|Wildcat]]''.<ref name="Pictures-28">{{cite book|title= Lucy: A Life in Pictures|last= Frew|first= Tim|year= 2001|type= Trade paperback
|origyear=1996|edition= First paperback|publisher= [[Barnes & Noble|Barnes & Noble Books]]|location= New York City|isbn= 0-7607-2866-6
|orig-year=1996|edition= First paperback|publisher= [[Barnes & Noble|Barnes & Noble Books]]|location= New York City|isbn= 0-7607-2866-6
|pages=28–29}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2280 ''Wildcat''] at [[Internet Broadway Database]]</ref> Morton claimed he was always busy working nights, so had not seen the beloved series ''[[I Love Lucy]]''. They were married on November 19, 1961 at the [[Marble Collegiate Church]] in New York City.<ref name="Pictures-28"/> Morton signed a [[prenuptial agreement]] to stifle rumors that he was a [[wikt:gold digger|gold digger]]. Morton was 13 years younger than Lucille Ball.<ref name="Pictures-28"/>
|pages=28–29}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2280 ''Wildcat''] at [[Internet Broadway Database]]</ref> Morton claimed he was always busy working nights, so had not seen the popular series ''[[I Love Lucy]]''. They were married on November 19, 1961, at the [[Marble Collegiate Church]] in New York City by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.<ref name="Pictures-28"/> Morton signed a [[prenuptial agreement]] to stifle rumors that he was a [[gold digger]]. Morton was 13 years younger than Lucille Ball.<ref name="Pictures-28"/>


Morton became closely involved in the management of his wife's career, from the time of their marriage in 1961 throughout the remainder of her career. During Ball's solo years as the titular head of [[Desilu Productions]], Morton and his brother-in-law, [[Fred Ball]], served on the studio's [[board of directors]] in various capacities.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
Morton became closely involved in the management of his wife's career, from the time of their marriage in 1961 throughout the remainder of her career. During Ball's solo years as the titular head of [[Desilu Productions]], Morton and his brother-in-law, [[Fred Ball]], served on the studio's [[board of directors]] in various capacities.


In recent years, Morton's effectiveness in his duties has come under some scrutiny and criticism. Most notable of these denouncements are those of [[Herbert F. Solow]] and [[Robert H. Justman]], whose dealings with Morton during the production of the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original ''Star Trek'' television series]] were documented in their 1996 book ''Inside Star Trek: The Real Story''.{{page needed|date=July 2018}} Others, including [[Grant Tinker]], have come forward with their own recollections of Morton's tenure at Desilu.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
Later, Morton's effectiveness in his duties came under some scrutiny and criticism. Most notable of these denouncements came from [[Herbert F. Solow]] and [[Robert H. Justman]], whose dealings with Morton during the production of the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original ''Star Trek'' television series]] are documented in their 1996 book ''Inside Star Trek: The Real Story''. Others, including [[Grant Tinker]], came forward with their own recollections of Morton's tenure at Desilu.


Most critics cite Morton's construction of a "European Street" — a ¾-scale replica of a European-styled [[business district]] street — as being a wasteful use of studio funds at a time when frugality was a necessity.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} According to Desilu and [[Paramount Television|Paramount]] financial records, and as reported by Solow and Justman, not one television or theatrical production was filmed on this set before it was demolished in 1977.{{page needed|date=July 2018}}
Most critics cite Morton's construction of a "European Street" — a ¾-scale replica of a European-styled [[business district]] street — as being a wasteful use of studio funds at a time when frugality was a necessity. According to Desilu and [[Paramount Television|Paramount]] financial records, and as reported by Solow and Justman, not one television or theatrical production was filmed on this set before it was demolished in 1977.


After the sale of Desilu to [[Gulf+Western]] in 1967, Morton helped Ball form '''Lucille Ball Productions''' to allow her to have more of a free hand in television production.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} Morton served as executive producer of Ball's third series ''[[Here's Lucy]]'' (1968–1974), and was a co-executive producer of her ill-fated 1986 series ''[[Life with Lucy]]''.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} Aside from producing tasks, he warmed up Ball's audiences before her entrance.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} He also played [[bit parts]] in Ball's various series and acted occasionally in films.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} He played a fictional borscht belt comedian Sherman Hart in ''Lenny'' (1974).{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
After the sale of Desilu to [[Gulf+Western]] in 1967, Morton helped Ball form '''Lucille Ball Productions''' to allow her to have more of a free hand in television production. Morton served as executive producer of Ball's third series ''[[Here's Lucy]]'' (1968–1974), and was a co-executive producer of her ill-fated 1986 series ''[[Life with Lucy]]''. Aside from producing tasks, he warmed up Ball's audiences before her entrance. He also played [[bit parts]] in Ball's various series and acted occasionally in films. He played fictional Borscht Belt comedian, Sherman Hart, in [[Lenny (film)|''Lenny'']] (1974). On February 15, 1983, Ball and Morton launched a film-and-television partnership with film studio [[20th Century-Fox]], where Fox gave Ball access to theatrical films, plays, made-for-television movies, a 20-hour mini-series and a sitcom.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1983-02-16|title=Ball-Morton's Deal with 20th Banners Features Plus TV|pages=7, 26|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>


⚫
==Later life==
In 1996, Morton married [[Susie McAllister]]. On March 30, 1999, he died of [[lung cancer]] at the age of 74 in Palm Springs, California.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/01/arts/gary-morton-74-producer-for-lucille-ball.html "Gary Morton, 74, Producer for Lucille Ball"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. April 1, 1999</ref>
In 1996, Morton married [[Susie McAllister]]. On March 30, 1999, he died of [[lung cancer]] at the age of 74 in Palm Springs, California.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/01/arts/gary-morton-74-producer-for-lucille-ball.html "Gary Morton, 74, Producer for Lucille Ball"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. April 1, 1999</ref>


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[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1999 deaths]]
[[Category:1999 deaths]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American film producers]]
[[Category:American film producers]]
[[Category:American television producers]]
[[Category:American television producers]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer in California]]
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[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer]]
[[Category:Jewish American male actors]]
[[Category:Jewish American male actors]]
[[Category:Jewish comedians]]
[[Category:Jewish American comedians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:Jewish male comedians]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:Jews from New York (state)]]
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[[Category:Jewish film people]]

Latest revision as of 22:13, 10 January 2024

Gary Morton
Morton at the 61st Academy Awards in 1989
Born
Morton Goldaper

(1924-12-19)December 19, 1924
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 30, 1999(1999-03-30) (aged 74)
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian, producer
Years active1965–1990
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1953; ann. 1957)​
​
​
(m. 1961; died 1989)​
​
(m. 1996)​

Gary Morton (born Morton Goldaper; December 19, 1924 – March 30, 1999) was an American stand-up comedian whose primary venues were hotels and resorts of the Borscht Belt in upstate New York. He was born in New York City, the son of Morris Goldaper and Rose Greenfeder Goldaper, and had a sister, Helen.[1] Later, he was a producer and studio executive, in association with his second wife, Lucille Ball.

Personal life[edit]

Morton married actress Susan Morrow on December 17, 1953. They separated in August 1954 and finally on July 11, 1957, the marriage was annulled in Los Angeles.

In 1960, Morton met Lucille Ball in New York City a few months before she opened on Broadway in the musical Wildcat.[2][3] Morton claimed he was always busy working nights, so had not seen the popular series I Love Lucy. They were married on November 19, 1961, at the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.[2] Morton signed a prenuptial agreement to stifle rumors that he was a gold digger. Morton was 13 years younger than Lucille Ball.[2]

Morton became closely involved in the management of his wife's career, from the time of their marriage in 1961 throughout the remainder of her career. During Ball's solo years as the titular head of Desilu Productions, Morton and his brother-in-law, Fred Ball, served on the studio's board of directors in various capacities.

Later, Morton's effectiveness in his duties came under some scrutiny and criticism. Most notable of these denouncements came from Herbert F. Solow and Robert H. Justman, whose dealings with Morton during the production of the original Star Trek television series are documented in their 1996 book Inside Star Trek: The Real Story. Others, including Grant Tinker, came forward with their own recollections of Morton's tenure at Desilu.

Most critics cite Morton's construction of a "European Street" — a ¾-scale replica of a European-styled business district street — as being a wasteful use of studio funds at a time when frugality was a necessity. According to Desilu and Paramount financial records, and as reported by Solow and Justman, not one television or theatrical production was filmed on this set before it was demolished in 1977.

After the sale of Desilu to Gulf+Western in 1967, Morton helped Ball form Lucille Ball Productions to allow her to have more of a free hand in television production. Morton served as executive producer of Ball's third series Here's Lucy (1968–1974), and was a co-executive producer of her ill-fated 1986 series Life with Lucy. Aside from producing tasks, he warmed up Ball's audiences before her entrance. He also played bit parts in Ball's various series and acted occasionally in films. He played fictional Borscht Belt comedian, Sherman Hart, in Lenny (1974). On February 15, 1983, Ball and Morton launched a film-and-television partnership with film studio 20th Century-Fox, where Fox gave Ball access to theatrical films, plays, made-for-television movies, a 20-hour mini-series and a sitcom.[4]

In 1996, Morton married Susie McAllister. On March 30, 1999, he died of lung cancer at the age of 74 in Palm Springs, California.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Morton Goldaper from Assembly District 6 Bronx in 1940 Census District 3-833B".
  2. ^ a b c Frew, Tim (2001) [1996]. Lucy: A Life in Pictures (Trade paperback) (First paperback ed.). New York City: Barnes & Noble Books. pp. 28–29. ISBN 0-7607-2866-6.
  3. ^ Wildcat at Internet Broadway Database
  4. ^ "Ball-Morton's Deal with 20th Banners Features Plus TV". Variety. February 16, 1983. pp. 7, 26.
  5. ^ "Gary Morton, 74, Producer for Lucille Ball". The New York Times. April 1, 1999

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gary_Morton&oldid=1194819775"