"He was firm. He was a good officer and he had a good sense of humor. I think it's the best part I ever had. I loved playing Colonel Potter."   

    About This Interview

    In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Harry Morgan (1915-2011) describes his start in show business, acting in summer stock productions which in turn led to his work in the Group Theater and his notable appearance in Golden Boy on Broadway. He talks about his move to Hollywood and how he landed a contract at Twentieth Century Fox in 1942. He speaks briefly about some of the movies he made, including How the West Was Won and High Noon, and describes several directors for whom he worked. Morgan details his early work in television on the shows December Bride, Pete and Gladys, and The Richard Boone Show and recalls his role as "Officer Bill Gannon" on Dragnet opposite Jack Webb. He then recounts, in great detail, his experiences on the classic sitcom M*A*S*H, where he played "Col. Sherman T. Potter." He discusses the show's ensemble cast, the characters they played, the atmosphere on the set, and behind-the-scenes practical jokes. Henry Colman conducted the interview on April 14, 2004 in Los Angeles, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Harry Morgan

    Harry Morgan on his M*A*S*H character, Colonel Sherman Potter

    07:10
    Thumbnail of Harry Morgan

    Harry Morgan on the tone on the set of M*A*S*H

    01:01
    Thumbnail of Harry Morgan

    Harry Morgan on playing "Bill Gannon" on Dragnet

    00:50
    Thumbnail of Harry Morgan

    Harry Morgan on co-starring on Pete and Gladys

    08:42
    Thumbnail of Harry Morgan

    Harry Morgan on the legacy of M*A*S*H

    01:28
    Thumbnail of Harry Morgan

    Harry Morgan on how he'd like to be remembered

    00:39
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early years and education; on his first acting jobs and early stage work; on moving to Hollywood; on getting a contract at 20th Century Fox and his early film career; on changing his name

    20:14

    On his work in December Bride

    08:02

    Chapter 2

    On co-starring on Pete and Gladys

    09:10

    On the Blacklist (he was neighbors with Lionel Stander in later years)

    00:45

    On playing "Bill Gannon" on Dragnet; on working with Jack Web; on preparing for the role of "Bill Gannon" and working with a teleprompter; on Jack Webb's directing

    18:36

    Chapter 3

    On co-starring with Jack Webb on Dragnet; on a typical Dragnet work week and the show's writers; on Dragnet guest stars; on the legacy of Dragnet

    14:04

    On joining M*A*S*H; on his character "Colonel Sherman Potter;" on preparations for the role; on the medical adviser on M*A*S*H, Dr. Walter Dishell; on his M*A*S*H co-stars

    14:19

    Chapter 4

    On his castmates on M*A*S*H; on the relationship between "Hawkeye" and "Hot Lips;" on characters' relationships with "Colonel Potter;" on "Radar's" departure from the show; on Larry Gelbart, Gene Reynolds, Burt Metcalfe and Charles Dubin

    20:12

    On directing some episodes of the series; on the comedy of the series; on the tone on the set of M*A*S*H; on practical jokes behind-the-scenes

    08:20

    Chapter 5

    On M*A*S*H co-stars Gary Burghoff and Loretta Swit; on winning an Emmy for M*A*S*H; on specific episodes "The Interview," "End Run" and others

    14:34

    On the popularity of M*A*S*H; on the finale of M*A*S*H; on the legacy of M*A*S*H; on After MASH and The Richard Boone Show; on directing Adam-12 and acting in Kentucky Jones

    14:17

    Chapter 6

    On the show Kentucky Jones; on Hec Ramsey and Blacke's Magic; on You Can't Take it With You; on friend Norman Lloyd and Alfred Hitchcock Presents; on Gunsmoke, Jack Benny Specials, The Love Boat, and the miniseries Backstairs at the White House

    12:35

    On guest starring on Murder, She Wrote; on Against Her Will with Walter Matthau; on 3rd Rock From the Sun

    06:59

    On his feature film work - The Oxbow Incident, High Noon, How the West Was Won; Support Your Local Sheriff, The Apple Dumpling Gang; on directors with whom he's worked

    09:10

    Chapter 7

    On his favorite directors; on Jimmy Stewart, George Raft, Marlon Brando, Joan Crawford, Elvis Presley, John Wayne, and Gregory Peck

    06:44

    On his proudest achievement; on advice to aspiring actors; on how he'd like to be remembered

    03:09

    3rd Rock From the Sun

    Harry Morgan on 3rd Rock From the Sun

    01:41

    AfterMASH

    Actor Harry Morgan on After M*A*S*H

    00:52

    Against Her Will: An Incident In Baltimore

    Harry Morgan on Against Her Will with Walter Matthau

    01:49

    Alfred Hitchcock Presents aka The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

    Harry Morgan on friend Norman Lloyd and Alfred Hitchcock Presents

    02:58

    Backstairs at the White House

    Harry Morgan on playing President Truman in Backstairs at the White House

    01:13

    Blacke's Magic

    Harry Morgan on the show Blacke's Magic

    00:46

    December Bride

    Harry Morgan on his work on the early sitcom December Bride

    08:02

    Dragnet

    Harry Morgan on playing "Bill Gannon" on Dragnet

    18:36

    Harry Morgan on Dragnet

    14:04

    Gunsmoke

    Harry Morgan on guest appearances on Gunsmoke

    01:21

    Hec Ramsey

    Harry Morgan on Richard Boone and the show Hec Ramsey

    01:19

    Jack Benny Specials

    Harry Morgan on a Jack Benny Special spoofing Dragnet

    00:49

    Kentucky Jones

    Harry Morgan on the show Kentucky Jones

    00:43

    Love Boat, The

    Harry Morgan on guest appearances on The Love Boat

    00:33

    M*A*S*H

    Harry Morgan on joining M*A*S*H; on his character, Colonel Sherman Potter

    14:19

    Harry Morgan on his co-stars on M*A*S*H; on the characters and the comedy of the series

    28:44

    Actor Harry Morgan briefly on the experience of doing the classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview"

    00:35

    Actor Harry Morgan on co-stars and specific episodes of M*A*S*H

    21:16

    M*A*S*H: "The Interview"

    Actor Harry Morgan briefly on the experience of doing the classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview"

    00:35

    Murder, She Wrote

    Harry Morgan on guest starring on Murder, She Wrote

    01:20

    Pete and Gladys

    Harry Morgan on co-starring on Pete and Gladys

    08:42

    Roots

    Harry Morgan on Roots

    02:09

    You Can't Take It With You

    Harry Morgan on the show You Can't Take it With You

    00:58

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Harry Morgan on playing "Bill Gannon" on Dragnet

    00:50

    Harry Morgan on his M*A*S*H character, Colonel Sherman Potter

    07:10

    Emmy Awards

    On winning an Emmy for M*A*S*H

    01:03

    Hollywood Blacklist

    Harry Morgan briefly on the Blacklist (he was neighbors with Lionel Stander in later years)

    00:45

    Industry Crossroads

    Harry Morgan briefly on the Blacklist (he was neighbors with Lionel Stander in later years)

    00:45

    Pop Culture

    Harry Morgan on playing "Bill Gannon" on Dragnet

    00:50

    Harry Morgan on his M*A*S*H character, Colonel Sherman Potter

    07:10

    Television Industry

    Harry Morgan briefly on the Blacklist (he was neighbors with Lionel Stander in later years)

    00:45

    Comedy Series

    Harry Morgan on co-starring on Pete and Gladys

    08:42

    Harry Morgan on joining M*A*S*H; on his character

    14:19

    Harry Morgan on his co-stars on M*A*S*H; on the characters and the comedy of the series

    28:44

    Actor Harry Morgan on co-stars and specific episodes of M*A*S*H

    21:16

    Drama Series

    Harry Morgan on playing "Bill Gannon" on Dragnet

    18:36

    Harry Morgan on Dragnet

    14:04

    TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

    Harry Morgan on Roots

    02:09

    Alan Alda

    Harry Morgan on Alan Alda

    00:29

    James Arness

    Harry Morgan on guest appearances on Gunsmoke

    01:21

    Jack Benny

    Harry Morgan on a Jack Benny Special spoofing Dragnet

    02:35

    Richard Boone

    Harry Morgan on Richard Boone and the show Hec Ramsey

    01:19

    Marlon Brando

    Harry Morgan on Marlon Brando

    01:35

    Harry Morgan on Marlon Brando

    00:43

    Richard Breen

    Harry Morgan on Richard Breen, writer of Dragnet

    18:36

    Gary Burghoff

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H co-star Gary Burghoff

    01:24

    James Cagney

    Harry Morgan on advice to aspiring actors, via Jimmy Cagney

    01:44

    William Christopher

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H co-star William Christopher

    00:59

    Joan Crawford

    Harry Morgan on working with Joan Crawford

    00:26

    Walter Dishell

    Harry Morgan on the medical adviser on M*A*S*H, Dr. Walter Dishell

    01:29

    Charles S. Dubin

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H director Charles Dubin

    01:37

    Harry Morgan on Roots

    02:09

    Jamie Farr

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H co-star Jamie Farr

    01:08

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H co-star Jamie Farr

    01:13

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H co-star Jamie Farr

    01:24

    Mike Farrell

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H co-star Mike Farrell

    01:19

    John Ford

    Harry Morgan on director John Ford

    01:05

    Harry Morgan on his favorite directors

    00:14

    James Garner

    Harry Morgan on the film Support Your Local Sheriff

    00:46

    Larry Gelbart

    Harry Morgan on joining M*A*S*H

    03:21

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H creator Larry Gelbart

    00:39

    Gale Gordon

    Harry Morgan on working with Gale Gordon on Pete and Gladys

    08:42

    Angela Lansbury

    Harry Morgan on guest starring on Murder, She Wrote

    01:20

    Parke Levy

    Harry Morgan on co-starring on Pete and Gladys

    08:42

    Larry Linville

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H co-star Larry Linville

    00:46

    John Lithgow

    Harry Morgan on 3rd Rock From the Sun

    01:41

    Norman Lloyd

    Harry Morgan on friend Norman Lloyd and Alfred Hitchcock Presents

    02:58

    Joseph L. Mankiewicz

    Harry Morgan on director Joe Mankiewicz

    00:44

    Anthony Mann

    Harry Morgan on director Anthony Mann

    01:17

    Daniel Mann

    Harry Morgan on Daniel Mann

    01:35

    Harry Morgan on his favorite directors

    00:33

    Delbert Mann

    Harry Morgan on Against Her Will directed by Delbert Mann

    01:49

    Walter Matthau

    Harry Morgan on Against Her Will with Walter Matthau

    01:49

    Burt Metcalfe

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H producer Burt Metcalfe

    00:49

    Gregory Peck

    Harry Morgan on friend Gregory Peck

    01:01

    Elvis Presley

    Harry Morgan on working with Elvis Presley

    01:00

    George Raft

    Harry Morgan on George Raft

    01:30

    Gene Reynolds

    Harry Morgan on joining M*A*S*H

    00:42

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H producer Gene Reynolds

    01:10

    Jimmy Stewart

    Harry Morgan on working with Jimmy Stewart

    00:53

    Loretta Swit

    Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H co-star Loretta Swit

    01:10

    On M*A*S*H co-star Loretta Swit

    01:09

    John Wayne

    Harry Morgan on working with John Wayne in the film How the West Was Won

    01:03

    Harry Morgan on working with John Wayne

    00:38

    Jack Webb

    Harry Morgan on working with Jack Webb on Dragnet

    18:36

    Harry Morgan on his Dragnet co-star Jack Webb and the legacy of Dragnet

    05:52

    Cara Williams

    Harry Morgan on co-starring on Pete and Gladys

    08:42

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