Gary Morton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gary Morton (December 19, 1924 – March 30, 1999) was the second husband of Lucille Ball. He was born Morton Goldapper in New York City, and was thirteen years Ball's junior.

He was a stand-up comedian, whose primary venues were the hotels and resorts of upper New York State's famous Borscht Belt. At the time of the Ball-Morton marriage, he claimed he was always busy working nights, so had not seen I Love Lucy.

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 1994 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.

After the sale of Desilu to Gulf + Western in 1967, 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 in occasional films.

He died of lung cancer at the age of 74 in Palm Springs, California.