Gary Morton
Producer

Gary Morton Net Worth

Gary Morton was a comedian who worked the famed "Borscht Belt" of resorts in the Catskills Mountains. He was born in The Bronx, New York, and had a few film roles, including a caricature of Milton Berle in Lenny (1974). He was popular among his fellow performers and opened for major artistes such as Tony Bennett. In 1960, he went on a blind date with Lucille Ball, who had recently divorced Desi Arnaz. Despite her initial anger at his indifference to her celebrity, she was won over by his charm and they married within a year. Morton gave up his nightclub career and became a producer of her television shows, as well as a warm-up comic for The Lucy Show (1962).
Gary Morton is a member of Producer

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Producer, Miscellaneous Crew, Actor
Birth Day December 19, 1924
Birth Place  The Bronx, New York, United States
Age 96 YEARS OLD
Died On March 30, 1999(1999-03-30) (aged 74)\nPalm Springs, California, U.S.
Birth Sign Capricorn
Cause of death Lung cancer
Occupation Actor, comedian, producer
Years active 1965–1990
Spouse(s) Susan Morrow (m. 1953; annulled 1957) Lucille Ball (m. 1961; d. 1989) Susie McAllister (m. 1996)

💰 Net worth: $100K - $1M

Biography/Timeline

1953

Morton married Actress Susan Morrow on December 17, 1953. In August 1954 they separated and finally on July 11, 1957, his marriage to Morrow was annulled in Los Angeles.

1961

Morton became closely involved in the management of his wife's career, from the time of their marriage in 1961 throughout the remainder of her career. During Ball's solo years as the titular head of Desilu Productions, Morton and his brother-in-law, Fred Ball, served on the studio's board of Directors in various capacities.

1967

After the sale of Desilu to Gulf+Western in 1967, Morton helped Ball form Lucille Ball Productions to allow her to have more of a free hand in television production. Morton served as executive Producer of Ball's third series Here's Lucy (1968–1974), and was a co-executive Producer of her ill-fated 1986 series Life With Lucy. Aside from producing tasks, he warmed up Ball's audiences before her entrance. He also played bit parts in Ball's various series and acted occasionally in films. He played a fictional borscht belt Comedian Sherman Hart in Lenny (1974).

1996

Morton's effectiveness in his duties has, in recent years, come under some scrutiny and criticism. Most notable of these denouncements are those of Herbert F. Solow and Robert H. Justman, whose dealings with Morton during the production of the original Star Trek television series were documented in their 1996 book, Inside Star Trek: The Real Story. Others, including Grant Tinker, have since come forward with their own recollections of Morton's tenure at Desilu.

1999

In 1996, Morton married Susie McAllister. On March 30, 1999, he died of lung cancer at the age of 74 in Palm Springs, California.

2014

Most critics cite Morton's construction of a "European Street"—a ¾-scale replica of a European-styled Business district street—as being arguably the most wasteful use of studio funds at a time when frugality was a necessity. According to Desilu and Paramount financial records, and as reported by Solow and Justman, not one television or theatrical production was filmed on this set before it was demolished in 1977.

Some Gary Morton images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.