
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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Acting (67 movies)

Paths of Glory
1957

The Return of Doctor X
1939

The House Across the Street
1949

Plunder Road
1957

Polo Joe
1936

Task Force
1949

Deep Valley
1947

The Green Buddha
1954

Johnny One-Eye
1950

Kid Galahad
1937

Double Alibi
1940

The Smiling Ghost
1941

The Time of Your Life
1948

Men Are Such Fools
1938

Flight Angels
1940

The Kid from Kokomo
1939

The Younger Brothers
1949

I Wanted Wings
1941

Riding Shotgun
1954

Brother Rat
1938

Submarine D-1
1937

The Voice of the Turtle
1947

Bad Men of Missouri
1941

The Big Gusher
1951

Gambling on the High Seas
1940

Valley of the Giants
1938

A Kiss in the Dark
1949

Stage to Tucson
1950

Land Beyond the Law
1937

King of Hockey
1936

Lord of the Jungle
1955

Ladies Must Live
1940

Love, Honor and Behave
1938

The Big Punch
1948

The Gelignite Gang
1956

Brother Rat and a Baby
1940

Arctic Flight
1952

Yellow Fin
1951

John Loves Mary
1949

Out Where the Stars Begin
1938

Here Comes Carter
1936

Sierra Passage
1950

Fighting Lawman
1953

Three Sons o' Guns
1941

The Tougher They Come
1950

Desert Pursuit
1952

The Crooked Sky
1957

Two Guns and a Badge
1954

Texas Bad Man
1953

The Master Plan
1955

Smart Blonde
1937

Once a Doctor
1937

The Desperado
1954

The Kid Comes Back
1938

The Quarterback
1940

An Angel from Texas
1940

The Lonesome Trail
1955

The Bushwhackers
1951

The Marksman
1953

Blow-Ups of 1947
1947

Star of Texas
1953

Buffalo Gun
1961

Breakdowns of 1949
1949

Port of Hell
1954

Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1)
1936

China Clipper
1936

Cross Channel
1955
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