Wayne Morris

Born in February 17th, 1914

From Los Angeles, California, USA

Wayne Morris 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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Wayne Morris Movies

Paths of Glory Poster
December 20, 1957
Plunder Road Poster
December 5, 1957
The Green Buddha Poster
July 9, 1955
Lord of the Jungle Poster
June 12, 1955
Riding Shotgun Poster
April 1, 1954
Stage to Tucson Poster
December 1, 1950
Johnny OneEye Poster
May 5, 1950
Breakdowns of 1949 Poster
December 31, 1949

Wayne Morris TV Shows

Gunsmoke Poster
September 10, 1955
Maverick Poster
September 22, 1957
Wanted: Dead or Alive Poster
September 6, 1958
Bat Masterson Poster
October 8, 1958
Adventures in Paradise Poster
October 5, 1959
Bronco Poster
September 23, 1958

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