Robert Morse

Robert Morse won his first Tony in 1962 for the musical comedy “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” also won an Emmy in 1993 for a one-man ...

Morse did not return to Broadway until he appeared in “Tru” in 1989-90, and he did not appear on the Rialto again after that. In 1976, he appeared in the musical “So Long, 174th Street,” whose source material was a book by Carl Reiner. He also studied with Lee Strasberg. He made his stage debut in 1949 production of “Our Town” in New Hampshire. In 2010, he shared the SAG Award that “Mad Men” won for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series. He earned his first Emmy nomination for his work on the series. The enormous hit ran for more than 1,400 performances and was adapted for the big screen in a 1967 film in which Morse reprised his starring role of J. Pierpont Finch.

Before he played Bert Cooper on the AMC drama, he had a career-defining role in the musical 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.'.

[lyrics from the How to Succeed song “A Secretary Is Not a Toy”].’ And everybody looked at me like I was crazy, because they’re all so damned young! He was a little bit strange and a little bit outrageous. It was all very positive, for the most part. The boyish Morse also starred in several light-hearted movie comedies of the 1960s. John Kennedy came to see me in How to Succeed and gave me a signed picture; I used to hang out in Bobby Kennedy’s place down in Virginia. They were wonderful days, the sun was out, our sleeves were rolled up. “I saw how the scene fit into the whole picture and thought: ‘Wow. This gives things a lot of perspective here. The best things in life are free. (Also among the winners: director Abe Burrows and actor Charles Nelson Reilly.) “A huge talent and a beautiful spirit. “He had this incredible sense of comedy and this wonderful lightness and fluidity. Let’s do it.’ We rehearsed for a few days and then just filmed it over the course of a day or so. Sending love to his son Charlie & daughter Allyn. Had so much fun hanging with Bobby over the years — filming People v OJ & hosting so many screenings (How To Succeed, Loved One, That’s Life).”

NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Robert Morse, who won a Tony Award as a hilariously brash corporate climber in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and ...

“I don’t think in terms of whether a picture will help or hinder my career,” Morse told the Los Angeles Times when the film was in production. Still, he said of his career, “I didn’t think it was going to end or not end. “Say, Darling” was a comedy about a young writer’s experience as his novel is turned into a Broadway show. “But there’s a desperate side of Capote, too, and Morse rises to the pain.” It was the other 22 hours I had a problem with.” I never got a chance to be in a play or picture where I played a father, or had a family, or where I could feel or show something. He has an innate sense of comedy and a funny face to go with it.” “As played with unfaltering bravura and wit by Robert Morse, he is a rumpled, dimpled angel with a streak of Lucifer.” (Meanwhile, a 1995 Broadway revival of “How to Succeed...” brought another Tony for its Finch, Matthew Broderick.) More recently, he played the autocratic and eccentric leader of an advertising agency in “Mad Men,” AMC’s hit drama that debuted in 2007. “I consider myself an actor — shyly,” he told the Los Angeles Times in 1964. The boyishly handsome Morse first made his name on Broadway in the 1950s, and landed some roles in Hollywood comedies in the 1960s.

The Emmy and Tony winner was particularly known for his performances in AMC's prestige drama and 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.'

Morse was born on May 18, 1931 in Newton, MA. He always wanted to be an actor. But it was onstage that he made his biggest impressions. As an actor, Morse was a bundle of energy, a bravura song and dance man and deft at comedy.

The actor is best known for playing Bert Cooper in the hit drama, and twice won Tony awards for stage roles.

His final episode saw him drawing on his Broadway skills for a big musical number following his death, as he performed a song-and-dance routine to The Best Things in Life Are Free, having peacefully died during Neil Armstrong’s 1969 moon landing. Sending love to his son Charlie & daughter Allyn. Had so much fun hanging with Bobby over the years – filming People v OJ & hosting so many screenings (How To Succeed, Loved One, That’s Life).” Robert Morse, who starred in the hit US drama Mad Men, has died at the age of 90.

Robert Morse, who translated Broadway stardom into a film career and later starred in 'Mad Men,' has died. He was 90.

Morse did not return to Broadway until he appeared in “Tru” in 1989-90, and he did not appear on the Rialto again after that. The pixie-like Morse is excellent, with both voice and facial expressions right on target all the time.” Morse not only sang but danced in the musical; later, in reviewing the actor’s performance in “Tru,” Frank Rich of the New York Times said, “Mr. Morse kicks a loose-limbed leg as high and friskily as he did when joining Bob Fosse’s hoedown for the ‘Brotherhood of Man’ finale in ‘How to Succeed.’ “ He also studied with Lee Strasberg. He made his stage debut in 1949 production of “Our Town” in New Hampshire. In 1976, he appeared in the musical “So Long, 174th Street,” whose source material was a book by Carl Reiner. He earned his first Emmy nomination for his work on the series. Makeup man Kevin Haney, whose credits include the movies “Altered States” and “Wolfen,” turned Morse into the bloated mass that Capote became before he died in 1984. The enormous hit ran for more than 1,400 performances and was adapted for the big screen in a 1967 film in which Morse reprised his starring role of J. Pierpont Finch. In 2010, he shared the SAG Award that “Mad Men” won for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series. “The opportunity to shine in the spotlight that Matt Weiner gave me — it was an absolute love letter. The eccentric Bert Cooper was known for his bow ties and his collection of Japanese art and architecture; while at times he seemed indifferent to the business affairs at Sterling Cooper, he could be crafty and manipulative when necessary. “A huge talent and a beautiful spirit. Sending love to his son Charlie & daughter Allyn. Had so much fun hanging with Bobby over the years – filming People v OJ & hosting so many screenings (How To Succeed, Loved One, That’s Life).”

He dazzled as a charming corporate schemer in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” His later triumphs included a memorable role on “Mad Men.”

He appeared in more than a dozen episodes of the 2000 CBS series “City of Angels” as the unpredictable chairman of an urban hospital. He spent a summer with the Peterborough Players in New Hampshire, came to New York and, after trying and failing to get an acting job, joined the Navy in 1950. In addition to guest appearances on various shows in the 1960s and ’70s, he co-starred with the actress E.J. Peaker in the 1968 series “That’s Life,” an unusual hybrid of sitcom and variety show that told the story of a young couple’s courtship and marriage through sketches, monologues, singing and dancing. “I’m the short, funny guy,” he said ruefully in a 1972 Times interview. After his discharge four years later, he moved back to New York and enrolled at the American Theater Wing. I happen to have a comic flair, but that doesn’t mean I plan to spend my life as a comedian.” Among the show’s many high points was the washroom scene in which Mr. Morse delivered a heartfelt rendition of the song “I Believe in You” while gazing rapturously into a mirror. His success in that show led to movie offers, but not to movie stardom; he rarely had a screen vehicle that fit him comfortably. He kept busy in the ensuing years, but choice roles were scarce, and he battled depression. It was Mr. Morse’s last appearance on Broadway for more than a decade. The 1967 film adaptation, with Mr. Morse and Mr. Vallee repeating their roles, was a hit as well, and the show has been revived on Broadway twice. Then came his star-making turn in “How to Succeed.”