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Hall of Great Western Performers
Inducted in 2006
Harry Morgan
Harry Morgan, born Harry Bratsberg on April 10, 1915, was a prolific American actor whose career spanned over six decades, with notable contributions to both television and film. While Morgan is widely remembered for his iconic role as Colonel Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H (1975–1983), he also made a significant mark in the Western genre. One of his key Western roles was Amos Coogan in Hec Ramsey (1972–1974), a unique series blending Western and early forensic detective work, showcasing Morgan’s versatility in frontier settings.
Throughout his career, Morgan appeared in several classic Western films and series. He starred alongside Gary Cooper in High Noon (1952), portraying a townsperson caught in the moral dilemma at the heart of the film. Morgan also appeared in How the West Was Won (1962), a sprawling epic about America’s frontier expansion, where he played Ulysses S. Grant. His collaboration with James Garner in the Western comedies Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969) and Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971) further emphasized his ability to bring humor and warmth to his characters.
In television Westerns, Morgan made memorable guest appearances in series like Gunsmoke, where he played various roles, and Have Gun – Will Travel. His down-to-earth, authoritative persona made him a natural fit for these rugged, Western landscapes. Whether playing a strict sheriff or a sympathetic rancher, Morgan’s contributions to the Western genre added depth to his extensive and varied acting career.
Harry Morgan, born Harry Bratsberg on April 10, 1915, was a prolific American actor whose career spanned over six decades, with notable contributions to both television and film. While Morgan is widely remembered for his iconic role as Colonel Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H (1975–1983), he also made a significant mark in the Western genre. One of his key Western roles was Amos Coogan in Hec Ramsey (1972–1974), a unique series blending Western and early forensic detective work, showcasing Morgan’s versatility in frontier settings.
Throughout his career, Morgan appeared in several classic Western films and series. He starred alongside Gary Cooper in High Noon (1952), portraying a townsperson caught in the moral dilemma at the heart of the film. Morgan also appeared in How the West Was Won (1962), a sprawling epic about America’s frontier expansion, where he played Ulysses S. Grant. His collaboration with James Garner in the Western comedies Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969) and Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971) further emphasized his ability to bring humor and warmth to his characters.
In television Westerns, Morgan made memorable guest appearances in series like Gunsmoke, where he played various roles, and Have Gun – Will Travel. His down-to-earth, authoritative persona made him a natural fit for these rugged, Western landscapes. Whether playing a strict sheriff or a sympathetic rancher, Morgan’s contributions to the Western genre added depth to his extensive and varied acting career.
