Robert Morse, Impish Tony-Winning Comedy Star, Is Dead at 90
Source: New York Times
His death was announced on Twitter by the writer and producer Larry Karaszewski, who worked with Mr. Morse on the television series The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. He did not say where or when Mr. Morse died.
Small in stature but larger than life as a performer, Mr. Morse was still a relative newcomer to the stage when he took Broadway by storm in How to Succeed. Directed (and partly written) by Abe Burrows, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, and based on a book by Shepherd Mead, the show, a broad satire of the business world, was set in the headquarters of the World Wide Wicket Company, ruled by its peevish president, J.B. Biggley (Rudy Vallee). The plot revolved around the determined efforts of an ambitious young window washer named J. Pierrepont Finch, played with sly humor by Mr. Morse, to climb to the top of the corporate ladder. Among the shows 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.
How to Succeed ran for more than 1,400 performances and won seven Tony Awards, including one for Mr. Morse as best actor in a musical, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for drama. 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.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/theater/robert-morse-dead.html
obamanut2012
(26,080 posts)Sleep well, Bert Cooper.
COL Mustard
(5,906 posts)Then I went back and started watching some of the older movies, including of course "How to Succeed"....he was wonderful and will be missed. I love your astronaut reference.
Paladin
(28,264 posts)newdayneeded
(1,955 posts)the voice of Jack Frost in that classic Christmas cartoon.
50 Shades Of Blue
(10,011 posts)2naSalit
(86,647 posts)niyad
(113,344 posts)I was just thinking about him the other day when I was watching a clip of Daniel Radcliffe in that role, in the "Brotherhood of Man" number.
Rebl2
(13,523 posts)him from a show from the late 1960s-Thats Life.
blogslug
(38,002 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(145,321 posts)Totally Tunsie
(10,885 posts)in "How to Succeed". He was just under discussion yesterday in a Jeopardy! forum because of this initial role, with the greatest admiration. RIP Mr. Morse.
Sneederbunk
(14,291 posts)flying_wahini
(6,606 posts)[link:
|chowder66
(9,073 posts)He was terrific.
JohnnyRingo
(18,636 posts)The movie was "Guide To The Married Man". I'll never forget Morse and Matthau in the movie.
RIP Bobby.
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,321 posts)IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)I have been marathoning that show recently. Robert Morse was great. My condolences to his family and friends.