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Wayne Morris 1914 - 1959

Wayne Morris was born on February 17, 1914 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States, and died at age 45 years old on September 14, 1959.

Wayne Morris

Bert DeWayne Morris Jr. - at birth only

California.

February 17, 1914

Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States

September 14, 1959

Male

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Wayne Morris Wayne Morris (1914 - 1959)

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Wayne Morris' History: 1914 - 1959

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Introduction

Wayne Morris (born Bert DeWayne Morris Jr. February 17, 1914 – September 14, 1959) was an American film and television actor, as well as a decorated World War II fighter ace. He appeared in many films, including Paths of Glory (1957), The Bushwackers (1952), and the title role of Kid Galahad (1937).
02/17

1914

Birthday

February 17, 1914

Birthdate

Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States

Birthplace

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Nationality & Locations

Early life and career Morris was born in Los Angeles County, California to Bert DeWayne Morris and Anna Lorea Morris (née Fitzgerald). He attended Los Angeles City College and was a fullback on that school's varsity football team. He gained acting experience through his work at the Pasadena Playhouse. His film debut came in China Clipper (1936). He played the title character of Kid Galahad (1937), a story of a young prizefighter that featured some of Hollywood's biggest stars, Bette Davis, Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart. His career flourished in films like Brother Rat, which starred Ronald Reagan, and in Bogart's only horror film, The Return of Doctor X (1939).
Military Service

While filming Flight Angels (1940), Morris became interested in flying and became a pilot. With the war in the wind, he joined the Naval Reserve and became a Navy flier in 1942, leaving his film career behind for the duration of the war. Morris was considered by the Navy as physically 'too big' to fly fighters. After being turned down several times as a fighter pilot, he went to his uncle-in-law, Cdr. David McCampbell, imploring him for the chance to fly fighters. Cdr. McCampbell said "Give me a letter." He flew the F6F Hellcat off the aircraft carrier USS Essex with the VF-15 (Fighter Squadron 15), the famed "McCampbell Heroes." A December 15, 1944 Associated Press news story reported that Morris was "credited with 57 aerial sorties, shooting down seven Japanese Zeros, sinking an escort vessel and a flak gunboat and helping sink a submarine and damage a heavy cruiser and a mine layer." He was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals.
Professional Career

Filmography China Clipper (1936) as Navigator on Clipper Here Comes Carter (1936) as Bill Polo Joe (1936) as Spectator (uncredited) King of Hockey (1936) as Bill 'Jumbo' Mullins Smart Blonde (1937) as Railroad Information Clerk (uncredited) Once a Doctor (1937) as Sailor on 'Nirvana' (uncredited) Land Beyond the Law (1937) as Dave Massey (Credits) / Dave Seymour Kid Galahad (1937) as Ward Guisenberry / Kid Galahad Submarine D-1 (1937) as 'Sock' McGillis The Kid Comes Back (1938) as Rush Conway Love, Honor and Behave (1938) as Ted Painter Men Are Such Fools (1938) as Jimmy Hall Valley of the Giants (1938) as Bill Cardigan Brother Rat (1938) as Billy Randolph The Kid from Kokomo (1939) as Homer Baston The Return of Doctor X (1939) as Walter Garrett Brother Rat and a Baby (1940) as Billy Randolph Double Alibi (1940) as Stephen Wayne An Angel from Texas (1940) as Mac McClure Flight Angels (1940) as Artie Dixon Gambling on the High Seas (1940) as Jim Carter Ladies Must Live (1940) as Corey Lake The Quarterback (1940) as Jimmy Jones and Billy Jones I Wanted Wings (1941) as Tom Cassidy Badmen of Missouri (1941) as Bob Younger Three Sons o' Guns (1941) as Charley Patterson The Smiling Ghost (1941) as Lucky Downing Deep Valley (1947) as Jeff Barker The Voice of the Turtle (1947) as Comm. Ned Burling The Time of Your Life (1948) as Tom (Joe's stooge and friend) The Big Punch (1948) as Chris Thorgenson John Loves Mary (1949) as Lt. Victor O'Leary A Kiss in the Dark (1949) as Bruce Arnold The Younger Brothers (1949) as Cole Younger Task Force (1949) as McKinney The House Across the Street (1949) as Dave Joslin Johnny One-Eye (1950) as Dane Cory The Tougher They Come (1950) as Bill Shaw Stage to Tucson (1951) as Barney Broderick Sierra Passage (1950) as Johnny Yorke The Big Gusher (1951) as Kenny Blake The Bushwhackers (1951) as Marshal John Harding Yellow Fin (1951) as Mike Donovan Desert Pursuit (1952) as Ford Smith Arctic Flight (1952) as Mike Wien Star of Texas (1953) as Texas Ranger Ed Ryan / Robert Larkin The Marksman (1953) as Deputy Marshal Mike Martin The Fighting Lawman (1953) as Deputy Marshal Jim Burke Texas Bad Man (1953) as Walt Riding Shotgun (1954) as Deputy Sheriff Tub Murphy The Desperado (1954) as Sam Garrett The Master Plan (1954) as Maj. Thomas Brent Two Guns and a Badge (1954) as Deputy Jim Blake The Green Carnation (1954) as Gary Holden Port of Hell (1954) as Stanley Povich Lord of the Jungle (1955) as Jeff Wood The Lonesome Trail (1955) as Dandy Dayton Cross Channel (1955) as Tex Parker The Gelignite Gang (1956) as Jimmy Baxter The Crooked Sky (1957) as Mike Conlin Paths of Glory (1957) as Lieutenant Roget Plunder Road (1957) as Commando Munson Official Detective (1958, Episode: "The Cover-Up") as Holmes Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1959) (Season 4 Episode 15: "A Personal Matter") as Bret Johnson Buffalo Gun (1961) as Roche (final film role)
Personal Life & Family

Personal life Morris was first married to tobacco heiress Leonora (Bubbles) Schinasi; the couple later divorced. Eighteen months later, Morris married the 19-year-old Patricia Ann O'Rourke at the Long Beach, California Naval Air Base February 25, 1942. He had two daughters and a son.
09/14

1959

Death

September 14, 1959

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Unknown
Death location

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Obituary

Aged 45, Morris died of a coronary occlusion September 14, 1959, aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard.

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