Howard Morris RIP, Actor and director passes at age 85 Options

[Shemp]

Actor and director Howard Morris has died at age 85.

Howard Morris is probably best-known as Ernest T. Bass on THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. Regardless, he considered his career highlight to be the years he spent working on YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS and CAESAR'S HOUR, with Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Nanette Fabray, Mel Brooks, Larry Gelbart, and more. Over seven years, Howard was hilarious in one comic skit after another... "This Is Your Story," "The German General," "The Bavarian Clock," and scores more.

Mr. Morris was a long-time member of the television animation voice-actor community, working for Hanna-Barbera, Filmation, and King Features. Among his long list of animation roles are Jughead on THE ARCHIES, Atom Ant, Beetle Bailey, and various characters on THE FLINTSTONES and THE JETSONS. Morris was always a very busy character actor in television too. A close friend of Mel Brooks, Howard costarred in Brooks' under-appreciated Hitchcock spoof HIGH ANXIETY (1977) as Professor Lilloman.

In the 1960s, Howard moved into directing, mostly for television, but also film. Highlights include GET SMART (pilot episode), BEWITCHED, THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, GOMER PYLE USMC and HOGAN'S HEROES. He also directed Jackie Gleason in DON'T DRINK THE WATER (1969).

I had the opportunity to meet Howard on many occasions, particularly at the annual Mayberry Days celebrations in Mt. Airy NC. He was also a regular celebrity guest at the Hollywood Collector Shows in North Hollywood. He particularly loved to talk about his 1950s work with Sid Caesar, but was always gracious and friendly when fans invariably brought up Ernest T. Bass. Although he only guested in six episodes, he made such an impression that he was typecast. At autograph shows, he seemed perplexed to see his 8x10s of Ernest T., and a pic of him with the Stooges, selling more than his many Caesar-related photos. But he always took it in stride, and with good humor.

A rare talent, who will be missed. RIP Howard Morris.

[FleischerFan]

Fortunately, much of his his work with Sid Caesar is preserved on DVD's.

That show was really the "Saturday Nite Live" of its time. As Shemp mentioned, the writing staff included Mel Brooks and Larry Gelbart. It also included Neil Simon, Woody Allen and Selma Diamond (later seen on "Night Court" and the inspiration for Rose Marie's "Sally Rodgers" on the old Dick Van Dyke show).

YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS and the behind the scenes goings-on were fictionalized in a wonderful film that Mel Brooks produced called "My Favorite Year."

But I digress...

I believe I read somewhere that Howard Morris was also instrumental in the creation of the early "McDonaldland" commercials that created the characters of Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese (those early spots were pretty trippy). Whether he was writer or director, I don't remember.

I believe he also starred in one or two epsiodes of the classic "Twilight Zone" series as well.

We lost a very funny man.

[Brandon]

If I remember correctly, didn't he also write for GARFIELD & FRIENDS and do the voice of Wade the Duck from the "U.S. Acres" segment?

[RobEB]

I thought he was great in HIGH ANXIETY. There was also a THIS IS YOUR LIFE spoof on YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS that was absolutely hilarious, one of the all-time greatest TV sketches.

[Studio Toledo]

If I remember correctly, didn't he also write for GARFIELD & FRIENDS and do the voice of Wade the Duck from the "U.S. Acres" segment?

Yep he did (somehow the recent DVD release of this series tends to wanna rename the U.S. Acres segments to "Orson's Farm" or whatever).

[Guest_JackSpit_*]

UP AND AT 'EM-- ATOM ANT!-- Howard Morris was a staple at HB, Atom Ant was truly brought to life with his vocal performance. His contribution to the Flintstones as colorful relatives, friends, foes and appliances is to me, as priceless as that of the regular cast.

And Ernest T. is one of TV's most original characters--- ever.

I miss you already Howie--- AuRevoir, Mi Amigo.

[SheckyGrey]

One of the most recognizable voices in all of cartoons was Howard Morris, although he seemed to be less identifiable by name for the general public. I remember wondering for hours where I had heard the voice of Jughead before, until I recalled him as Beetle Bailey. He also had a part as a zany scientist in the suprisingly entertaining 1980 made for TV movie, Munsters Revenge.