Who was Barry Morse?
Barry Morse was a British-Canadian actor who had a long and distinguished career in theatre, radio, television, and film. He was best known for his role as Lt. Philip Gerard, the relentless detective who chased the wrongly accused Dr. Richard Kimble (played by David Janssen) in the 1960s TV series The Fugitive. He also starred in the British sci-fi drama Space: 1999, and appeared in many other shows and movies, such as The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, The Adventurer, and The Changeling.
Morse was born Herbert Morse in London, England, on June 10, 1918. He won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the age of 15, and performed in hundreds of roles on stage and radio. He married actress Sydney Sturgess in 1939, and they had two children, Hayward and Melanie, who also became actors. Morse moved to Canada in 1951, and became a Canadian citizen in 1953. He continued to work in both countries, as well as in the United States and elsewhere, until his death in 2008.
How did Barry Morse die?
Barry Morse died on February 2, 2008, at the age of 89, at University College Hospital in London, England. He had been in London to perform a one-man show called Merely Players, based on his memoirs, but he fell ill and had to cancel the show. According to his son Hayward, he died of a brief illness, but the exact cause of death was not disclosed. His daughter Melanie said that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family.
Morse’s death was mourned by his fans and colleagues, who praised his talent, versatility, and professionalism. David Janssen’s widow, Dani Crayne, said that Morse was “a great actor and a great human being”. Roy Thinnes, who played the title role in The Invaders, another show produced by Quinn Martin, the creator of The Fugitive, said that Morse was “a consummate actor and a gentleman”. Martin Landau, who co-starred with Morse in Space: 1999, said that Morse was “a very dear friend and a very fine actor”.
What is Barry Morse’s legacy?
Barry Morse’s legacy lives on through his extensive body of work, which spans seven decades and thousands of roles. He was nominated for two Emmy Awards, for The Fugitive and for a guest appearance on The Winds of War. He was also honored with several awards and recognitions, such as the Order of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Earle Grey Award, and the Gemini Award. He has a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, and a theatre named after him at the University of Western Ontario, where he taught drama for many years.
Morse was also a generous and charitable person, who supported various causes and organizations, such as the Actors’ Fund of Canada, the Parkinson Society Canada, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He was a patron of the Shaw Festival, a supporter of the Stratford Festival, and a founding member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. He was also an advocate for peace and human rights, and a critic of war and violence.
Barry Morse was a remarkable actor and a remarkable man, who touched the lives of many people with his art and his heart. He will be remembered and missed by his family, friends, and fans, as well as by the generations of actors and audiences who will continue to enjoy his work. Barry Morse cause of death may have taken him away from us, but his spirit and his legacy will remain with us forever.
