Howard Morris

Howard Jerome Morris (September 4, 1919 – May 21, 2005) was an American actor, comedian, and director. He was best known for his role in The Andy Griffith Show as Ernest T. Bass, and as "Uncle Goopy" in a celebrated comedy sketch on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows. He did voices for television shows such as The Flintstones (1962–1965), The Jetsons (1962–1987), The Atom Ant Show (1965–1966), Garfield and Friends (1988–1994), and Cow and Chicken (1997–1999).

Life and career

Morris was born to a Jewish family in the Bronx, New York, the son of Hugo and Elsie (née Theobald) Morris. His father was a rubber company executive. Morris attended New York University on a dramatic arts scholarship.

During World War II, he was assigned to a United States Army Special Services unit where he was the First Sergeant. Maurice Evans was the company commander and Carl Reiner and Werner Klemperer were soldiers in the unit. Based in Honolulu, the unit entertained American troops throughout the Pacific.

He came to prominence in appearances on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows (a live sketch comedy series appearing weekly in the United States, from 1950 to 1954). In April 1954, Morris joined Caesar and Carl Reiner in "This Is Your Story," an 11-minute takeoff on Ralph Edwards's This Is Your Life. Morris claimed it was his favorite sketch role.

As The New Yorker'''s David Margolick wrote in 2014,

This opinion was shared by The New York Times and Hollywood.com, among others. Conan O'Brien tweeted in 2014, "Saw this Sid Caesar sketch when I was a kid. It made me want to make people laugh." Billy Crystal later called it a defining early influence: "That's how I used to go to bed. I'd grab my dad's leg, and he'd drag me to bed like Sid Caesar." (said to be Morris' first work for Hanna-Barbera) and The Flintstones. He was the original voice of Atom Ant and provided the voice of Mr. Peebles in The Magilla Gorilla Show, teaming up again with Allan Melvin who performed the voice for Magilla. In another series, Morris was heard as the voice of Breezly Bruin which was similar in tone with the Bill Scott vocalization of Bullwinkle. Morris had a disagreement with Joseph Barbera prior to production of the 1966–1967 season of Magilla Gorilla and Atom Ant and all of his voices were recast, mostly using Don Messick. Years later, the two men reconciled and Morris was back doing those voices and others. He also lent his voice to Forsythe "Jughead" Jones on Filmation's series The Archies through the life of the franchise, 1968–1977. Moreover, he was the voice of Leonard Blush, "The Masked Singer" - he had a skin condition - as well as the regular voice of the Mount Pilot radio station's host on The Andy Griffith Show.

Morris also voiced the characters Professor Icenstein and Luigi La Bounci in the animated series Galaxy High. He voiced Mayor McCheese and later the Hamburglar (taking over for Larry Storch in 1986) in McDonaldland ad campaign for McDonald's, which Morris also directed. He provided the voice of Wade Duck in the U.S. Acres segments of Garfield and Friends, and voiced Webbly in Bobby's World and Flem in Cow & Chicken. Morris supplied the voice of the koala in TV commercials for Qantas from 1967 through 1992 (saying the tagline, "I hate Qantas"), and voiced "Gopher" in the Disney featurettes Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree and Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. Also in 1989, he voiced a French gangster cat named Monte De Zar (Fat Cat's Cousin) in an episode of Disney's Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers episode "Le Purrfect Crime".

He also voiced Squawk in 1992’s Tom and Jerry: The Movie.

Voice directing While Morris continued to make himself available for voice and sound effect roles, he also began a new career in voice directing. Among the projects he directed are Police Academy, Richie Rich, Bionic Six, Goin' Coconuts, Pole Position, Galaxy High, The Snorks, The Mighty Orbots, Rose Petal Place, The Dogfather, Dragon's Lair, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, Turbo Teen, Little Clowns of Happytown, Space Stars, and Kidd Video.

Directing and later career Morris directed some episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle, Hogan's Heroes, The Dick Van Dyke Show, the black and white pilot episode of Get Smart and later, episodes of One Day at a Time, Bewitched, and single episodes of many other comedy shows. He directed Doris Day in her final film, With Six You Get Eggroll (1968). Other films he directed were Don't Drink the Water (1969) and Who's Minding the Mint? (1967).

Mel Brooks occasionally cast Morris in his films. For example, he played Brooks' mentor psychiatrist Dr. Lilloman in the comedy High Anxiety (1977), the emperor's court spokesman ("Here, wash this!") in History of the World, Part I (1981), and played a bum named Sailor living in the streets in Life Stinks (1991).

In 1984, he played Dr. Zidell in Splash, a film directed by Ron Howard (the two had first worked together on The Andy Griffith Show). He worked with his old friend and trouping partner Sid Caesar as nervous Jewish tailors in the 1998 movie of Ray Bradbury's The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit.

He appeared on "The Love Boat" (S8 E13) as "has been" comedian Billy Banks in a Christmas-themed vignette "Santa, Santa, Santa" which aired on 12/15/1984. In 1986, he reprised his famous role as Ernest T. Bass in the highly rated television movie Return to Mayberry. In 1989, he guest starred on Murder, She Wrote. From 1997 to 1999, he voiced Flem on Cow and Chicken.

Personal life Morris was married and divorced five times. At his funeral, the "Uncle Goopy" sketch was shown; among the eulogizers was Carl Reiner, who praised Morris's ability to improvise. He is entombed in Laurel Gardens Wall crypt at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Filmography FilmMunro (1961) – narratorBoys Night Out (1962) – Howard McIllenny40 Pounds of Trouble (1962) – JuliusThe Nutty Professor (1963) – Elmer KelpLoopy DeLoop (Habit Rabbit) (1963, Short) – Raymond (voice)Fluffy (1965) – SweeneyWinnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966, Short) – Gopher (voice)Alice of Wonderland in Paris (1966) – The Frowning Prince / King (segment "The Frowning Prince") / Grand Wizard (voice)Way...Way Out (1966) – SchmidlapThe Big Mouth (1967) – Cameo Role (uncredited)With Six You Get Eggroll (1968) – Hippie in Police Station (uncredited)Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968, Short) – Gopher (voice)Don't Drink the Water (1969) – Getaway Pilot (uncredited)The Comic (1969) – Pedestrian Gag Man in Love Honor and Oh Boy (uncredited)Daffy Duck and Porky Pig Meet the Groovie Goolies (1972) – Franklin 'Frankie' Frankenstein / Wolfgang 'Wolfie' Wolfman / Mummy / "Hauntleroy" (voice)Ten from Your Show of Shows (1973)The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) – Gopher (voice) (archive footage)High Anxiety (1977) – Professor LillomanHistory of the World, Part I (1981) – Court Spokesman (The Roman Empire)Splash (1984) – Dr. ZidellReturn to Mayberry (1986, TV Movie) – Ernest T. BassEnd of the Line (1987) – HoboThe Good, the Bad, and Huckleberry Hound (1988, TV Movie) – Mr. Peebles / Chuckling Chipmunk / Governor / DentistTransylvania Twist (1989) – Marinas OrlockLife Stinks (1991) – SailorTom and Jerry: The Movie (1992) – Squawk (voice)I Yabba-Dabba Do! (1993, TV Movie) – (voice)Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby (1993, TV Movie) – Bird (voice)A Flintstones Christmas Carol (1994, TV movie) – (voice)Lasting Silents (1997) – Julius DavisThe Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (1998) – Leo Zellman

TelevisionYour Show of Shows (1950–1954)—various rolesCaesar's Hour (1954–1957)—various rolesThe Twilight Zone (1963) (Season 4 Episode 12: I Dream of Genie)—George P. HanleyWanted: Dead or Alive (1961) (Episode: "Detour")—Clayton ArmstrongAlfred Hitchcock Presents (1962) (Season 7 Episode 31: "Most Likely to Succeed")—Dave SumnerThriller (1962) (U.S. TV series) (Season 2 Episode 29: "The Lethal Ladies")The Flintstones (1962–1965) – 28 episodes – Doctor / Boy / Pilot / Soldier #1 / Sergeant / Cop / Bird #1 / Mr. Rockhard / Charles / Coach / Cat / Boy #1 / Boy #3 / Rodney Whetstone / Dr. Pilldown / Monkey / Letter Opening Bird / Turtle #2 / Guy in Crowd / Clerk / Kid / Porcupine / The Kissing Burglar / Henry / Cop #1 / Ted Stonevan / Tex Bricker / Filbert / Knitting Kneedle / Chisel Bird / Turtle Butler / Jimmy / Quartz / Member #2 / Member #4 / Ticket Taker / Reporter / Guard / Announcer / Pilot / Traffic Cop / Black Lamb / Eddie / Clam / Turtle / Manager / Customer / Dr. Corset / Brick / Bird / Man #1 / Man #3 / Man #4 / Ollie / Slag / Card Player #2 / Bobby / Announcer / Parrot / Herman / Chimp / Horse / Sam / BirdGeneral / Peter / Al / Mop / Tortoise / Mammoth / Alligator / Detective #2 / Hotrock / Oyster / Traffic Cop #2 / Kid #2 / Monkey #2 / Elmo / Elephant / Lucy / TV Announcer / Cat / Buffalo #3 / Emcee / Bird in Tree / Rockoff / Official / Proprietor / Joe / Tall Detective / Customs Man / Percy / Pa / Slab / Possum / 1st Dinosaur / Attendant / Treasurer / Scotsman / Baggage Monkey / Reggie / Horn Bird / Dragon / Actor / Doc / Jethro Hatrock / Spider / Flower / 'Uncle' / TV Announcer / Weirdly Gruesome / The Kissing Burglar / Slab / Waiter The Jetsons (1962–1987) – 14 episodes—Harlan / Bank Security Guard #1 / Traffic Cop / Molecular Motors Video Tailor #2 / Montique Jetson / Nimbus the Great / George's Conscience / Willie / Mr. Tweeter / Emcee / Jet Screamer / Henry Orbit (1 episode) / Boppo Crushstar / CB / Bus DriverThe Dick Van Dyke Show (1963) (Episode: "The Masterpiece")—Mr. HoldeckerBeetle Bailey (1963) – Beetle Bailey / General Halftrack / Lieutenant Fuzz / Otto / Chaplain Staneglass / RockyThe Andy Griffith Show (1963–1965) (8 episodes) – Ernest T. Bass / Radio Announcer / Leonard Blush / George, the TV Repairman Make Room for Daddy (1964) (Episode: "The Leprechaun") – SeanThe Magilla Gorilla Show (1964–1965) – Mr. PeeblesPunkin' Puss and Mushmouse (1964–1966) – MushmouseBreezly and Sneezly (1964–1966) – Breezly BruinThe Lucy Show (1965) (Season 4 Episode 2: "Lucy and the Golden Greek") – Howie (Lucy's blind date) The Secret Squirrel Show (1965) – Additional voicesThe Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo (1965) – Prince Valor / Flattop / Egeus / Peter Quince / DemetriusThe Atom Ant Show (1965–1966) – Atom AntAlice in Wonderland or What's a Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This? (1966) (TV special) – The White RabbitThe Archie Show (1968–1978) – Forsythe "Jughead" Jones, "Big Moose" Mason and Dilton DoileyThe Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park (1972) – Hocus / PocusMy Favorite Martians (1973) – Tim O'Hara / Bill Brennan / Brad Brennan / Okey / ChumpThe Love Boat (1978) – Cruise ship passenger / Stand-up comedianThe Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show (1979) – Doctor DomeLegends of the Superheroes (1979) (2 TV specials) – The Challenge and The Roast – Dr. SivanaFantasy Island (1980–1983) (2 episodes)Shirt Tales (1982) – Shutter McBugg Trapper John, M.D. (1982–1984) (5 episodes) – Dr. Jerry Hannigan / Dr. Kauffman Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983) – Additional voicesDeck the Halls with Wacky Walls (1983) (TV special) – CrazylegsThe Yellow Rose (1984) (Episode: "Sport of Kings") – Johnny HoganThe 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo (1985) – Bogel / Platypus Duck Star Fairies (1985) (TV special) – Dragon Head #1Snorks (1985) – Additional voicesPaw Paws (1985–1986) – Trembly PawThe Flintstone Kids (1986–1988) – Additional voicesGalaxy High (1986) – Professor Icenstein / Luigi La BounciSesame Street (1986–1993) (4 episodes) – Jughead JonesAdventures of the Gummi Bears (1987) – Sir PaunchDuckTales (1987–1989) – Dr. Von Swine / Happy Jack / Additional voicesLittle Clowns of Happytown – Mr. PickleherringPopeye and Son – Bandini the GenieSuperman (1988) (Episode: "Triple-Play/The Circus") – Prankster / Oswald LoomisThe New Yogi Bear Show (1988) – Additional voicesFantastic Max (1988–1989) – Additional voicesPolice Academy (1988–1989) – SweetchuckGarfield and Friends (1988–1994) (121 episodes) – Wade Duck / Fox / Wart / Worm / Wolf / additional voicesThe Further Adventures of SuperTed (1989) – Polka FaceThe Adventures of Ronald McDonald: McTreasure Island (1989) (Video Short) – Hamburglar / Ben GunnMurder, She Wrote (1989) (Episode: "Something Borrowed, Someone Blue") – Uncle ZiggyMidnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone (1990) – Dr. AkenhofferChip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (1990) – Maltese de SadeYo Yogi! (1991) – Murray / Additional voicesTaleSpin (1991) – Chief of Mondo Bondo / King Amok / Radio Announcer 2 / 18th Class Postal ClerkDumb and Dumber (1995) – Daddy / Old Man #2Duckman (1996) — Ernest T. GlobCow and Chicken (1997–1999) – Flem / P.A. Announcer / Goon / Man 3 (2) / Man 3 (10) / Paramedic / Cootie Victim 1 / Intercom Voice / Pig / Kid (5) / Peasant (3) / General 1 / Peasant (4) / Kid 3 (4) / Man (6)Baywatch (1996) – Fella/ArthurI Am Weasel (1997–2000) – Additional voicesThe Wild Thornberrys (1999) – Lion #1 / Zebra All Grown Up! (2004) – Doctor

Video gamesCartoon Network Racing (2006) - Flem (posthumous release; final role)

As directorThe Dick Van Dyke Show (1963–1965) – 5 episodes – The Ballad of the Betty Lou / A Nice, Friendly Game of Cards / Scratch My Car and Die / The Return of Edwin Carp / The Case of the PillowThe Andy Griffith Show (1964) – 8 episodes – Barney's Bloodhound / The Darling Baby / Andy and Helen Have Their Day / Three Wishes for Opie / Otis Sues the County / My Fair Ernest T. Bass / Barney's Physical / Family VisitGet Smart (1965) – episode – Mr. BigThe Patty Duke Show (1965) Bewitched (1965–1966) – 3 episodes - We're in for a Bad Spell / Junior Executive / ProdigyHogan's Heroes (1965–1967) – 14 episodesA Secret Agent's Dilemma, or A Clear Case of Mind Over Mata Hari (1965) – TV movieGood Old Days (1966) — TV movieLaredo (1966) – episode – That's Noway, ThatawayWho's Minding the Mint? (1967)With Six You Get Eggroll (1968)Don't Drink the Water (1969)Laverne & Shirley (1977) – episode – Frank's FlingGoin' Coconuts (1978)The Beatrice Arthur Special (1980) – TV movieThe Love Boat (1981) – Season 4 Episode 14 From Here to Maternity / Jealousy / The TrigamistTrapper John, M.D.'' (1985–1986) – 2 episodes – Billboard Barney & Life, Death and Dr. Christmas