- Born
- Died
- Birth nameMary Margaret Morgan
- Sassy, dusky-voiced entertainer Jaye P. Morgan was not always so sassy, but today this is for which she is fondly remembered. She was born Mary Margaret Morgan in 1931 and began performing at an early age for family and friends. She eagerly entertained at school assemblies and, when she graduated from Verdugo Hills High School (California) in 1949, left to seek her fame and fortune on the cabaret circuit. She quickly got a regular singing gig with the Frank De Vol Orchestra and was soon charting her recordings. She first hit big with "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries" in 1951. Other hits to follow were "The Longest Walk" and "That's All I Want from You". The now-popular song stylist soon took to TV, making her debut as a regular vocalist on Stop the Music (1949). She was a consistent guest performer on all the best variety showcases, including Perry Como and Ed Sullivan's shows, and in 1956 even managed to hostess her own variety program, The Jaye P. Morgan Show (1956), accompanied by her singing siblings "The Morgan Brothers (Duke, Bob, Charlie and Dick). She maintained a very proper, wholesome image, as expected, during these vital years. In the 60s, Jaye P. took a long sabbatical from the industry to regroup, with only occasional night club appearances to show for it. But, she came back swinging in the next decade, reinventing herself to a whole new generation. The new package was hipper, fresher, saucier, sexier, funnier and definitely crazier. She focused this time as an actress and comedienne. Wild-and-crazy producer Chuck Barris took a huge liking to this racy new package and made her household name all over again with his cult TV program The Gong Show (1976) and their zany offshoots. Jaye P. let it all hang out this time and Barris' shows were the perfect formats for her to pull out all the stops. Now 92 (2023), she has lost little of her zing. Her last appearance was a cameo in George Clooney's film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), an off-centered semi-biopic about Barris. Jaye P. Morgan...one of a kind and one heck of a dame. She definitely did it her way.
- IMDb mini biography by: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net
- SpousesArtie Kane(July 31, 1960 - March 31, 1966) (divorced, 1 child)Chuck Kelly(November 23, 1959 - August 10, 1960) (divorced)Michael Pierce Baiano(April 14, 1954 - March 13, 1958) (divorced)
- ChildrenPaul Steven Kane
- ParentsJosephine Corrine OwensJohn Theophilus Morgan Jr.
- RelativesDuke Morgan(Sibling)Dick Morgan(Sibling)Charlie Morgan(Sibling)Robert Joe 'Bob' Morgan(Sibling)Ruby Corrine Morgan (Mercer)(Sibling)John Theophilus Morgan III(Half Sibling)
- Began to be called "J.P." in 1947 when she was class treasurer of her high school (a reference to financier John Pierpont Morgan).
- In an ironic twist, Jaye P. was fired from the very racy The Gong Show (1976) program by going TOO far. She exposed her breasts on national TV. The show, however, was lost without her, thus signaling the end.
- Began as a big band vocalist and had a #1 hit with "Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries" in 1949-1950.
- In the spring of 1959, Jaye P. had charted success with "Are You Lonesome Tonight" (#65 US Pop), over a year before it became a mega hit for Elvis Presley.
- Had five top hits in 1955: That's All I Want From You (#5), The Longest Walk (#6), Danger, Heartbreak Ahead (#12), If You Don't Want My Love (#12) and Pepper Hot Baby (#14).
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