Trivia

On M*A*S*H (1972), his character rode horses, in real-life, he raised quarter horses on a ranch in Santa Rosa, California.

In several episodes of M*A*S*H (1972), Col. Potter was seen painting portraits, mainly of the other characters. These portraits were actually painted by Morgan.

Had a photographic memory.

Was regarded as one of the busiest actors on television, who had continuing roles in at least 10 series, which, combined with his guest appearances, amounted to hundreds of episodes.

In various episodes of M*A*S*H (1972), his real-life wife, Eileen Detchon, stood in for his character's wife, Mildred's portrait on his character's desk.

He and Jack Webb were best friends from 1949 to Thursday, December 23rd, 1982, when Jack Webb lost his life.

Remained friends with Mike Farrell, Loretta Swit, amongst the rest of the M*A*S*H (1972) cast, during and after the series' cancellation.

Actor Jamie Farr, being from Toledo and a lifelong Mud Hens fan, bestowed upon him a Toledo Mud Hens baseball cap for him to wear.

His first wife, Eileen Dutchon, died on February 4, 1985, just 7 months before they would have celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary.

His was one of the longest acting careers in the business, between movies and television; behind Mickey Rooney, Bob Hope, Barbara Stanwyck, Eddie Albert and Jane Wyman; but in-front of Karl Malden and Ernest Borgnine.

Once said he enjoyed playing Colonel Potter on M*A*S*H (1972) so much he felt he could have "gone on forever" playing the character.

His ex-M*A*S*H (1972) co-star and neighbor, Loretta Swit, wrote an obituary for him in Entertainment Weekly's Best and Worst 2011 column (29 December 2011).

His favorite actor was Alan Alda, who grew up watching him before he co-starred with Morgan on M*A*S*H (1972).

It was Jack Webb who allowed Morgan to show his own sense of humor on Dragnet 1967 (1967).

Between 1959 and 1983, he received 11 Emmy nominations. He won his only Emmy in 1980 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series.

Received the Gold Award of Purple Heart Veterans Rehabilitation Service in the 1970s.

Was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2006.

Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide six times.

He and future co-star Mike Farrell were both fans of the M*A*S*H (1972) series, in the early years, before they both joined the cast in 1975.

His favorite movie was The Ox-Bow Incident (1942).

Started using 'Harry' rather than 'Henry' when comedian Henry Morgan became popular on radio and TV in the early 1960s. Strangely, they not only chose the surname 'Morgan' (as neither one was born with it), but they were born only 10 days apart (in March/April 1915).

Was also good friends of John Garfield, Tim Conway and Don Knotts (who starred in both of his movies).

Was a very popular student at Muskegon High School, where he played varsity football, and by his senior year, he was class president.

Enjoyed golfing, traveling, dining, fishing, spending time with his family, reading, raising quarter-horses, horseback riding, animals, painting and poetry.

Prior to joining the cast of M*A*S*H (1972) in the fourth season as the stern but decent Colonel Potter, he appeared in the third season episode The General Flipped at Dawn (1974) as a crazed general who wanted to move the 4077 unit closer to the front line.

Was the second actor to have directed more episodes of M*A*S*H (1972), behind co-star Alan Alda.

Despite not being an original cast member, next to Mike Farrell, he appeared in each and every episode of M*A*S*H (1972), with the exception of 2, after he joined the cast in 1975, until its series cancellation in 1983.

Of Norwegian descent, his grandparents were immigrants from Scandinavia.

Was the last minute replacement for the role of Officer Bill Gannon on the third revival of Dragnet 1967 (1967), with the help of his best friend Jack Webb.

Attended the funeral of McLean Stevenson when the actor passed away in 1996.

In 1942, Morgan had a small part in Orchestra Wives (1942) featuring Glenn Miller. In 1953, co-starred in The Glenn Miller Story (1954).

Shortly before his death, he and his family had lunch with ex-M*A*S*H (1972) co-star, Mike Farrell, with his second wife, Shelley Fabares.

Attended University of Chicago with a major of pre-law, but a lack of finances dropped him out.

Died just 6 1/2 months after the death of his best friend James Arness. Morgan guest-starred alongside Arness for 4 episodes of Gunsmoke (1955).

Best remembered by the public for his starring roles as Officer Bill Gannon on Dragnet 1967 (1967) and as Colonel - later Surgeon - Dr. Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H (1972).

Before John Ritter would have a successful career, he used to work with him on both of Morgan's movies: The Barefoot Executive (1971) and Scandalous John (1971).

Morgan served in the US Army during WW2 where he joined other actors making training films. One of his works, "The Rifle Platoon" made in 1942 is available on YouTube.

Died 10 days before his 25th wedding anniversary to Barbara Bushman.

His father and 2 uncles worked on the Erie Canal, after his parents moved to Michigan.

His parents were Henry Bratsberg, a mechanic born in Norway, and Anna Olsen, a housewife born in Sweden.

Met future wife, Eileen Detchon, in the play 'My Heart's in the Highlands'. They were married for nearly 45 years.

Morgan's popularity on M*A*S*H (1972) led him to a trip to Muskegon, Michigan, where he was the spokesperson for Lifesavers Candy.

His M*A*S*H (1972) character was a heavy drinker and a smoker, as was Morgan, in real-life.

He originally wanted to be a lawyer.

Appeared in three films nominated for Best Picture Academy Award: The Ox-Bow Incident (1942), High Noon (1952) and How the West Was Won (1962), each in years ending with "2," 1942, 1952, and 1962..

Appeared with McLean Stevenson in The Cat from Outer Space (1978). Morgan played the general, Stevenson played the doctor.

On Dragnet 1967 (1967), his character's wife's name was Eileen, in real-life, his wife's name was also Eileen.

Survived by his wife, Barbara, of nearly 25 years, his 3 children and 8 grandchildren.

When the Writer's Guild went on strike, he and M*A*S*H (1972) co-star, Loretta Swit, were both presented on stage for their own Emmies, when there was no ceremony. Morgan had the award on his desk for over 30 years.

He replaced McLean Stevenson in the role of Colonel Sherman Potter on M*A*S*H (1972), for the series' fourth season, primarily because of his long association with Gene Reynolds.