'M*A*S*H' star Harry Morgan dies at 96

Dec. 7, 2011, 12:06 PM EST
By Brent Lang
TheWrap
"M*A*S*H" star Harry Morgan died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning. The character actor was 96.

He was best known for playing Colonel Sherman T. Potter on the long-running army comedy.

Bing: More on Harry Morgan

In a 2004 interview with the The Television Academy Foundation's Archive of American Television, Morgan acknowledged the profound effect that the iconoclastic sitcom had on his career.

""He was firm," Morgan said. "He was a good officer and he had a good sense of humor. I think it's the best part I ever had. I loved playing Colonel Potter."

Although "M*A*S*H" made him a television icon, Morgan first came to attention for his role as Officer Bill Gannon, Joe Friday's partner on the revived version of "Dragnet," which aired on NBC from 1967-70.



Morgan's gruff demeanor made him an in-demand character actor for nearly five decades.

He appeared in supporting roles in over 100 films, many of them classics such as "The Ox-Bow Incident," "High Noon,"  and "Inherit the Wind."

His resonant voice and irascible verve made him a natural for parts as authority figures, and he was frequently called upon to play judges, lawmen and military officers.



In addition to "M*A*S*H" and "Dragnet," Morgan scored small screen success playing a henpecked husband on "Pete and Gladys" (1960-62), which originated out of a supporting part he played on "December Bride" (1954-59).

Morgan did have one notable off-screen scandal. The character actor  was arrested in 1996 and booked for spousal battery after police responded to a 911 call from his wife. Morgan's wife had a cut under her right eye and a swollen foot, according to reports. Charges were dropped after Morgan agreed to attend a six month domestic violence program.

Morgan was married to Eileen Detchon for 45 years until her death in 1985.

Also: Harry Morgan's best 'M*A*S*H' moments

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Bushman; three sons from his first marriage, Christopher, Charles and Paul; and eight grandchildren.

Morgan's son, Daniel died in 1989.

I was sad to see that this morning he was a big part in that show.But with reruns he will never be forgotten.