Gary Morton
Encyclopedia
Gary Morton was the second husband of Lucille Ball
. He was a stand-up comedian, whose primary venues were the hotels and resorts of the Borscht Belt
in upstate New York.
.
In 1960, Morton met Lucille Ball in New York City
a few months before she opened on Broadway
in the musical Wildcat
. Morton claimed he was always busy working nights, so had not seen the beloved series I Love Lucy
. They were married on November 19, 1961 at the Marble Collegiate Church
in New York
. Morton signed a prenuptial agreement
to stifle rumors that he was a gold digger. Morton was 13 years younger than Lucille Ball.
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. 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, and most cite Morton's construction of a "European Street" - a 3/4 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. If Morton had thought working for Ball would be an easy ride, he was mistaken. By the accounts of all present, it was common for Ball to accuse Morton of "standing around," and admonish him to shut up or get out. Still, Morton enjoyed the luxurious lifestyle of an avid golfer and car collector.
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.
.
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
. He was a stand-up comedian, whose primary venues were the hotels and resorts of the Borscht Belt
Borscht Belt
Borscht Belt, or Jewish Alps, is a colloquial term for the mostly defunct summer resorts of the Catskill Mountains in parts of Sullivan, Orange and Ulster counties in upstate New York that were a popular vacation spot for New York City Jews from the 1920s through the 1960s.-Name:The name comes from...
in upstate New York.
Relationship with Lucille Ball
Morton had been previously married to actress Susan MorrowSusan Morrow
Susan Morrow was an American actress.-Personal life:Born as Jacqueline Ann Teresa Bernadette Immoor, she was the elder sister of Judith Exner and the first wife of comedian Gary Morton. They were married on December 17, 1953; the marriage was annulled on July 11, 1957...
.
In 1960, Morton met Lucille Ball in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
a few months before she opened on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in the musical Wildcat
Wildcat (musical)
Wildcat is a musical with a book by N. Richard Nash, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, and music by Cy Coleman.The original production opened on Broadway in 1960, starring a 48-year-old Lucille Ball in her only Broadway show.-Background and production:...
. Morton claimed he was always busy working nights, so had not seen the beloved series I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on the Columbia Broadcasting System...
. They were married on November 19, 1961 at the Marble Collegiate Church
Marble Collegiate Church
The Marble Collegiate Church, founded in 1628, is one of the oldest continuous Protestant congregation in North America. The congregation, which is part of the Reformed Church in America, is now located at 272 Fifth Avenue at the corner of West 29th Street in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan,...
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Morton signed a prenuptial agreement
Prenuptial agreement
A prenuptial agreement, antenuptial agreement, or premarital agreement, commonly abbreviated to prenup or prenupt, is a contract entered into prior to marriage, civil union or any other agreement prior to the main agreement by the people intending to marry or contract with each other...
to stifle rumors that he was a gold digger. Morton was 13 years younger than Lucille Ball.
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
Fred Ball
Frederick Henry Ball was an American movie studio executive, actor, brother of comedienne Lucille Ball.-Early life:...
, served on the studio's Board of Directors in various capacities. 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
Herbert F. Solow
Herbert F. Solow worked in Hollywood as a producer, director, studio executive, talent agent, and writer.-Biography:After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1953 Solow was hired by the William Morris Agency in New York City to work in the mailroom. In 1954 he was promoted to talent agent...
and Robert H. Justman
Robert H. Justman
Robert Harris "Bob" Justman was an American television producer, director and production manager. He worked on many television series including Lassie, The Life of Riley, Adventures of Superman, The Outer Limits, Then Came Bronson and Mission: Impossible.- Career :Bob Justman was one of the...
, whose dealings with Morton during the production of the original Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
television series were documented in their 1996 book, Inside Star Trek: The Real Story. Others, including Grant Tinker
Grant Tinker
Grant Almerin Tinker is the former chairman and CEO of NBC from 1981 to 1986, co-founder of MTM Enterprises, and television producer. Tinker is the former husband of television actress Mary Tyler Moore...
, have since come forward with their own recollections of Morton's tenure at Desilu, and most cite Morton's construction of a "European Street" - a 3/4 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
Paramount Television
Paramount Television was an American television production/distribution company that was active from January 1, 1968 to August 27, 2006.Its successor is CBS Television Studios, formerly CBS Paramount Television...
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. If Morton had thought working for Ball would be an easy ride, he was mistaken. By the accounts of all present, it was common for Ball to accuse Morton of "standing around," and admonish him to shut up or get out. Still, Morton enjoyed the luxurious lifestyle of an avid golfer and car collector.
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
Here's Lucy
Here's Lucy is Lucille Ball's third network television sitcom. It ran on CBS from 1968 to 1974.-Background:Though The Lucy Show was still hugely popular during the previous season, finishing in the top five of the Nielsen Ratings , Ball opted to end that series at the end of that season and create...
(1968–1974), and was a co-executive producer of her ill-fated 1986 series Life With Lucy
Life With Lucy
Life with Lucy is an American sitcom starring Lucille Ball. The show ran on the ABC network in 1986, and unlike Ball's previous hits on television, it was a critical and ratings flop.- Premise :...
. 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.
Later life
In 1996, Morton married Susan McAllister, beginning his third marriage. On March 30, 1999, he died of lung cancer at the age of 74 in Palm Springs, CaliforniaPalm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
.