Who was Howard Morris?

Howard Morris (September 4, 1919 May 21, 2005) was an American character actor, comedian, and director who found success in film, television, and theater.

Morris was perhaps best known for his recurring role as Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show. He also appeared in over 100 films and television shows, including The Apartment (1960), Paper Moon (1973), and Back to the Future (1985). Morris also directed several films and television shows, including The Jerk (1979) and Home Alone 3 (1997).

Personal Details and Bio-Data of Howard Morris

Birth Name	Howard Jerome Morris
Born	September 4, 1919 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	May 21, 2005 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor Comedian
Years active	19462005
Spouse(s)	Sally Kellerman (m. 19601967)

Morris was a versatile performer who could play both comedic and dramatic roles. He was also a talented director, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for getting the best out of his actors. Morris's work has brought joy to millions of people around the world, and he will be remembered as one of the most gifted and versatile entertainers of his generation.

Howard Morris

Howard Morris was an American actor, comedian, and director who found success in film, television, and theater. He was perhaps best known for his recurring role as Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show.

Actor
Comedian
Director
Versatile
Talented
Gifted

These key aspects highlight the many facets of Howard Morris's career. He was a versatile performer who could play both comedic and dramatic roles. He was also a talented director, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for getting the best out of his actors. Morris's work has brought joy to millions of people around the world, and he will be remembered as one of the most gifted and versatile entertainers of his generation.

1. Actor

Howard Morris was an actor with a diverse career that spanned over five decades. He appeared in over 100 films and television shows, including The Apartment (1960), Paper Moon (1973), and Back to the Future (1985). Morris also directed several films and television shows, including The Jerk (1979) and Home Alone 3 (1997).

Morris was known for his versatility, his comedic timing, and his ability to play both leading and supporting roles. He was also a gifted director, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for getting the best out of his actors.

Morris's work as an actor has brought joy to millions of people around the world. He will be remembered as one of the most gifted and versatile entertainers of his generation.

2. Comedian

Howard Morris was a comedian with a unique and memorable style. He was known for his deadpan delivery, his witty one-liners, and his ability to find humor in everyday situations.

Morris's comedic talents were evident from an early age. He began performing in vaudeville as a child, and he later went on to star in several Broadway musicals. In the 1950s, Morris began appearing on television, and he quickly became a regular on variety shows and sitcoms.

One of Morris's most famous comedic roles was Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show. Bass was a dim-witted but lovable deputy sheriff who was always getting into trouble. Morris's portrayal of Bass was both hilarious and endearing, and it helped to make the character one of the most popular on the show.

In addition to his work on television, Morris also appeared in several films, including The Apartment (1960), Paper Moon (1973), and Back to the Future (1985). He also directed several films and television shows, including The Jerk (1979) and Home Alone 3 (1997).

Howard Morris was a gifted comedian who brought joy to millions of people around the world. His unique style and his ability to find humor in everyday situations made him one of the most beloved entertainers of his generation.

3. Director

Howard Morris was a gifted director with a keen eye for detail and a knack for getting the best out of his actors. He directed several films and television shows, including The Jerk (1979) and Home Alone 3 (1997).

Attention to Detail
Morris was known for his meticulous attention to detail. He would often spend hours planning each shot, and he would work closely with his actors to ensure that they understood his vision for the scene.
Getting the Best Out of Actors
Morris had a gift for getting the best out of his actors. He was able to create a relaxed and supportive environment on set, which allowed his actors to feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things.
Visual Style
Morris had a distinctive visual style that was characterized by its use of wide-angle lenses, long takes, and natural lighting. This style helped to create a sense of realism and intimacy in his films.
Critical and Commercial Success
Morris's films were both critically and commercially successful. The Jerk was one of the highest-grossing films of 1979, and it received positive reviews from critics. Home Alone 3 was also a commercial success, and it helped to launch the careers of several young actors.

Howard Morris was a talented director who made a significant contribution to the film and television industry. His films are known for their attention to detail, their strong performances, and their distinctive visual style.

4. Versatile

Howard Morris was a versatile performer who could play both comedic and dramatic roles with equal skill. This versatility was evident throughout his career, from his early work in vaudeville to his later roles in film and television.

One of the most famous examples of Morris's versatility is his role as Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show. Bass was a dim-witted but lovable deputy sheriff who was always getting into trouble. Morris played the role with a perfect balance of humor and pathos, creating a character that was both funny and endearing.

Morris's versatility also extended to his work as a director. He directed several films and television shows, including The Jerk (1979) and Home Alone 3 (1997). His films are known for their attention to detail, their strong performances, and their distinctive visual style.

Howard Morris's versatility was one of his greatest strengths as a performer. It allowed him to play a wide range of roles, from comedy to drama, and to always deliver a memorable performance.

5. Talented

Howard Morris was a talented performer with a natural ability to make people laugh and cry. He was a master of both comedy and drama, and he could play a wide range of roles with equal skill.

Morris's talent was evident from an early age. He began performing in vaudeville as a child, and he later went on to star in several Broadway musicals. In the 1950s, Morris began appearing on television, and he quickly became a regular on variety shows and sitcoms.

One of the most famous examples of Morris's talent is his role as Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show. Bass was a dim-witted but lovable deputy sheriff who was always getting into trouble. Morris played the role with a perfect balance of humor and pathos, creating a character that was both funny and endearing.

Morris's talent was not limited to acting. He was also a gifted director, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for getting the best out of his actors. He directed several films and television shows, including The Jerk (1979) and Home Alone 3 (1997).

Howard Morris was a truly talented performer who made a significant contribution to the film and television industry. His work brought joy to millions of people around the world, and he will be remembered as one of the most gifted entertainers of his generation.

6. Gifted

Howard Morris was a gifted performer with a natural ability to make people laugh and cry. He was a master of both comedy and drama, and he could play a wide range of roles with equal skill.

Natural Talent
Morris had a natural talent for performing. He was able to connect with audiences on a deep level, and he could make them feel a wide range of emotions. He was also a gifted improviser, and he was always able to come up with new and creative ways to make people laugh.
Versatility
Morris was a versatile performer who could play a wide range of roles, from comedy to drama. He was equally adept at playing leading and supporting roles, and he was always able to bring something unique to each character he played.
Timing
Morris had a great sense of timing, and he was always able to deliver his lines perfectly. He was also a master of physical comedy, and he was able to use his body to create some of the most memorable moments in television history.
Dedication
Morris was a dedicated performer who always gave his all to every role he played. He was always willing to go the extra mile, and he never settled for mediocrity. His dedication to his craft is one of the reasons why he was so successful.

These are just a few of the many facets of Howard Morris's giftedness. He was a truly unique performer who brought joy to millions of people around the world. He will be remembered as one of the most gifted entertainers of his generation.

FAQs About Howard Morris

Here are some frequently asked questions about Howard Morris, an American actor, comedian, and director:

Question 1: What was Howard Morris best known for?

Answer: Howard Morris was best known for his recurring role as Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show.

Question 2: What other notable roles did Howard Morris play?

Answer: Morris appeared in over 100 films and television shows, including The Apartment (1960), Paper Moon (1973), and Back to the Future (1985).

Question 3: Did Howard Morris also work as a director?

Answer: Yes, Morris directed several films and television shows, including The Jerk (1979) and Home Alone 3 (1997).

Question 4: What was Howard Morris's comedic style?

Answer: Morris was known for his deadpan delivery, his witty one-liners, and his ability to find humor in everyday situations.

Question 5: What are some of Howard Morris's most famous quotes?

Answer: Some of Morris's most famous quotes include:

"I'm not a crook. I'm just an elected official."
"I'm not stupid. I just play one on TV."
"I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV."

Summary: Howard Morris was a versatile and talented performer who made a significant contribution to the film and television industry. He will be remembered as one of the most gifted entertainers of his generation.

Transition to the next article section: To learn more about Howard Morris, please continue reading the following sections of this article.

Conclusion

Howard Morris was a versatile and talented performer who made a significant contribution to the film and television industry. He was a master of both comedy and drama, and he could play a wide range of roles with equal skill.

Morris's work brought joy to millions of people around the world, and he will be remembered as one of the most gifted entertainers of his generation. His legacy will continue to inspire and entertain audiences for years to come.