Biography
Wayne Morris (February 17, 1914 – September 14, 1959), born Bert DeWayne Morris in Los Angeles, was an American film and television actor, as well as a decorated World War II fighter ace. He appeared in many notable films, including Paths of Glory (1957), The Bushwackers (1952) and the title role of Kid Galahad in 1937. While filming Flight Angels (1940), Morris became interested in flying and became a pilot. With 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. Flying the F6F Hellcat off the aircraft carrier USS Essex, Morris shot down seven Japanese planes and contributed to the sinking of five ships. He was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals. 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 brother in law, Cdr. David McCampbell, imploring him for the chance to fly fighters. Cdr. McCampbell said "Give me a letter." He flew with the VF-15, the famed "McCampbell Heroes." He married Patricia O'Rourke, an Olympic swimmer, and sister to B-movie actress Peggy Stewart. Following the war, Morris returned to films, but his nearly four-year absence had cost him his burgeoning stardom. He continued to act in movies, but the pictures, for the most part, sank in quality. Losing his boyish looks but not demeanor, Morris spent most of the fifties in low-budget westerns. He made an unusual career move in 1957, making his Broadway debut as a washed-up boxing champ in William Saroyan's The Cave Dwellers. He also appeared as a weakling in Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory (1957). Morris suffered a massive heart attack while visiting aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard in San Francisco Bay and was pronounced dead after being transported to Oakland Naval Hospital in Oakland, California. He was 45. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Filmography
all 79
Movies 69
TV Shows 10
self 6
Adventures in Paradise (1959)
Bat Masterson (1958)
Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958)
Plunder Road (1957)
Paths of Glory (1957)
The Crooked Sky (1957)
The Gelignite Gang (1956)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955)
Cross Channel (1955)
The Master Plan (1955)
The Lonesome Trail (1955)
Lord of the Jungle (1955)
Port of Hell (1954)
The Green Buddha (1954)
Two Guns and a Badge (1954)
The Desperado (1954)
Riding Shotgun (1954)
Fighting Lawman (1953)
The Marksman (1953)
Star of Texas (1953)
Arctic Flight (1952)
Desert Pursuit (1952)
The Bushwhackers (1951)
Yellow Fin (1951)
The Big Gusher (1951)
Sierra Passage (1950)
Stage to Tucson (1950)
The Tougher They Come (1950)
Johnny One-Eye (1950)
The House Across the Street (1949)
Task Force (1949)
The Younger Brothers (1949)
A Kiss in the Dark (1949)
John Loves Mary (1949)
The Time of Your Life (1948)
The Big Punch (1948)
The Voice of the Turtle (1947)
Deep Valley (1947)
So You Want to Be in Pictures (1947)
The Smiling Ghost (1941)
Three Sons o' Guns (1941)
Bad Men of Missouri (1941)
I Wanted Wings (1941)
The Quarterback (1940)
Ladies Must Live (1940)
Gambling on the High Seas (1940)
Flight Angels (1940)
An Angel from Texas (1940)
Double Alibi (1940)
Brother Rat and a Baby (1940)
The Return of Doctor X (1939)
The Kid from Kokomo (1939)
Brother Rat (1938)
Valley of the Giants (1938)
Men Are Such Fools (1938)
Out Where the Stars Begin (1938)
Love, Honor and Behave (1938)
The Kid Comes Back (1938)
Submarine D-1 (1937)
Kid Galahad (1937)
Land Beyond the Law (1937)
Once a Doctor (1937)
Smart Blonde (1937)
King of Hockey (1936)
Polo Joe (1936)
China Clipper (1936)
Information
Known ForActing
GenderMale
Birthday1914-02-17
Deathday1959-09-14 (45 years old)
Birth PlaceLos Angeles, United States of America
CitizenshipsUnited States
Also Known AsBert DeWayne Morris, Bert DeWayne Morris Jr.
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
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