Broadway great, ‘Mad Men’ star Robert Morse dead at 90
Robert Morse, a Broadway sensation as a young man who had a stirring second act on TV’s “Mad Men,” has died at 90.
His agent David Schaul said Morse died in his Los Angeles home Wednesday following a brief illness.
Known to a younger generation as advertising exec Bertram Cooper, whom he played from 2007-2014, Morse was a longtime star on stage, with credits including the 1961 Broadway show “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and that show’s subsequent film adaptation. The Massachusetts native won a Tony Award for his performance.
His performance of the song “I Believe in You” — which Morse’s character J. Pierrepont Finch sang to himself in a mirror — was a highlight of the show and movie.
In 1990, he collected his second Tony Award for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote in “Tru.”
During his enthusiastic acceptance speech, Morse dedicated the award and “a part of my heart” to everyone who’s a part of the theater community.
That performance also earned Morse his only Emmy Award, thanks to an American Playhouse production of “Tru.” “Mad Men” earned him five Emmy nominations.
In 2016, at the age of 85, he took the Broadhurst Theatre stage in a 2016 revival of “The Front Page,” which also starred Nathan Lane, John Goodman and his “Mad Men” colleague John Slattery.
Also in 2016, he appeared as journalist Dominick Dunn in the FX series “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson.” Morse told Mashable that prior to Simpson’s 1995 murder trial, he’d played golf with the former football star.
“Who knew, later on, that I’d be watching the Bronco chase and later playing a part!” he said.
Among those mourning Morse’s passing was “Mad Men” actor Michael Gladis, who called him “one of a kind.”
Gladis praised his colleague’s love of acting and family, stating “Honored to have known and worked with him.”
“Seinfeld” actor Jason Alexander also remembered the 5-foot-5 performer as an acting giant who loved theater people.
“I was performing on Bway in a cast of 60 when Robert Morse was doing the solo show, ‘Tru,’” Alexander tweeted. “He often came to our theater cause he wanted to be with people. He loved people and people loved him. His work was infused with joy and it was joyous to be with him.”
The official “Mad Men” Twitter feed kept things simple. “Robert Morse was one of the greats,” it reads. “Rest in Peace.”
During a 2007 cast visit at the Paley Center for Media, Morse said he didn’t at first understand the “Mad Men” storyline and mistook creator Mathew Weiner for an office manager at his audition. But he said that at 75 years old, he was thrilled to get the gig.
“I was so happy,” he said. “A person at my age doesn’t work much anymore.”
Before making it big as an actor, Morse served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He married twice, including a 20-year marriage to “West Side Story” actress Carol D’Andrea with whom he had three daughters — all actresses. He also leaves behind a son and daughter from his second marriage to Elizabeth Roberts in 1989.
With News Wire Services
