- Born
- Died
- Birth nameMorton Goldaper
- Height6′ 0½″ (1.84 m)
- Gary Morton was a comedian who worked the famed "Borscht Belt" of resorts in the Catskills Mountains. Never as talented nor as renowned as such fellow Borscht Belt comics like Milton Berle, whom he caricatured in one of his few film roles in Lenny (1974), Morton nonetheless was personally popular among his fellow performers. Due to his personable nature, Morton made a living as the opening act for many major artistes, including Tony Bennett.
Morton met his future wife Lucille Ball while headlining at New York's Copacabana night club in 1960, when he went on a blind date with the famous redhead, who had recently divorced Desi Arnaz. Morton's indifference to Lucy's celebrity at first infuriated her but, eventually, she was won over by Morton's charm and married him within a year.
Morton gave up his nightclub career after marrying Lucy, at her request, and became a producer of her television shows. Morton also served as a warm-up comic for The Lucy Show (1962)'s live audience, content with his role as "Mr. Lucille Ball".
- IMDb mini biography by: Guy Lazarus
- SpousesSusan McAllister(December 1994 - March 30, 1999) (his death)Lucille Ball(November 19, 1961 - April 26, 1989) (her death)Susan Morrow(December 17, 1953 - July 11, 1957) (annulled)
- Children
- During World War II, he served as a member of the Special Services branch, entertaining troops.
- Stepfather of Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr..
- Cousin of Sid Gould.
- Ex-brother-in-law of Judith Campbell Exner and William Campbell.
- Born on exactly the same date as Cicely Tyson.
- On Lucille Ball's death: I guess she's happy now, she's with Desi.
- Life with Lucy (1986) - $100,000 /episode
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