David Morse (actor)
| David Morse | |
|---|---|
 David Morse, 2005 |
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| Born | David Bowditch Morse October 11, 1953 Hamilton, Massachusetts, United States |
| Occupation | Actor Singer Television director Television writer |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Spouse | Susan Wheeler Duff (1982–present) 3 children |
David Bowditch Morse[1][2] (born October 11, 1953) is an American stage, television, and film actor. He first came to national attention as Dr. Jack Morrison in the medical drama St. Elsewhere from 1982 to 1988. Morse continued his movie career with roles in Dancer in the Dark, The Negotiator, The Green Mile, Disturbia, The Long Kiss Goodnight, The Crossing Guard, The Rock, Extreme Measures, Twelve Monkeys, 16 Blocks, and Hounddog.
In 2006, Morse had a recurring role as Detective Michael Tritter on the medical drama House for which he received an Emmy Award nomination.[3] He also had a supporting role in the movie Disturbia. Morse portrayed George Washington in the 2008 HBO Miniseries John Adams, which garnered him a second Emmy nomination.[4] Morse has received acclaim for his portrayal of Uncle Peck on the Off-Broadway play How I Learned to Drive for which he earned a Drama Desk and Obie Award. He also had success on Broadway, portraying James "Sharky" Harkin in The Seafarer.
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Early life
Morse was born in Hamilton, Massachusetts, the son of Jacquelyn, a school teacher, and Charles Morse, a sales manager.[5] He has three younger sisters.[6] His middle name, Bowditch, comes from mathematician Nathaniel Bowditch.[1]
Career
Morse studied acting at the William Esper Studio.[7] He began his acting career in the theatre as a player for the Boston Repertory Theatre in the early 1970s.[6] He spent some time in New York's theatre community in the early 1980s before moving into television and film.[6] During that time, Morse was listed as one of the twelve most "Promising New Actors of 1980" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 32.[8] Morse's big break came in 1982 when he was cast in the television medical drama St. Elsewhere. Morse played Dr. Jack "Boomer" Morrison, a young physician who is forced to deal with the death of his wife and the struggles of a single parent professional.[9]
After the finale of St. Elsewhere in 1988, Morse went on to appear as a supporting character in various popular films, usually as a "bad guy" character. In an interview with the Associated Press Morse said: "I just basically made the decision, I didn't care if there was any money in the role or not. I had to find roles that were different from what I had been doing".[10] The 1990 crime movie Desperate Hours accomplished that, but probably led to him being known as good at playing bad guys.[10] Morse later starred in The Indian Runner and The Crossing Guard, which were the first two films written and directed by Sean Penn. So far, Morse has appeared in three adaptations of Stephen King stories: The Langoliers, Hearts in Atlantis and The Green Mile. In addition to this, Morse was a guest star on Homicide: Life on the Street, playing the racist cousin of Detective Tim Bayliss (Kyle Secor).[11]
In 2002, Morse starred as Mike Olshansky, an ex-Philadelphia police officer turned cab driver, in the television movie Hack. The movie was received so well that a television series based on it (also with the title Hack) was created, which ran from 2002 to 2004. For his role in the 2002 crime-drama movie Shuang Tong, Morse was nominated as "Best Supporting Actor" in the Golden Horse Awards, the first nomination ever for an English speaking actor. His most recent big-screen appearance was as questionable neighbor Mr. Turner in the 2007 release Disturbia. In a review of this film, film critic and commentator John Podhoretz wrote that Morse is a "largely unsung character actor who enlivens and deepens every movie fortunate enough to have him in the cast".[12]
In 2006, Morse received a phone call from David Shore, whom he had previously worked with on Hack, who asked him if he would be interested in having a guest role on House. When Morse watched the show, he could not understand why people watched the show, because, in his words, "This House guy is a total jerk". But when he told some of his friends, their excited reactions convinced Morse to take the part.[13] Morse portrayed Michael Tritter, a detective with a vendetta against Gregory House. Morse earned his first Emmy Award nomination for his work on the series.[3]
In 2008, Morse portrayed George Washington in the HBO mini-series John Adams, for which his nose was made bigger. Morse commented: “The first thing that comes to mind is my nose; it was my big idea to do that nose. We didn't have a lot of time, because they asked me to do this about three weeks before they started shooting, and I just kept looking at these portraits and thinking ‘This man's face is so commanding’, and I did not feel that my face was very commanding in the way his was. So I convinced them that we should try the nose, and we tried it on, and everybody went, ‘Wow, that's Washington’.”[13] Morse's portrayal earned him his second Emmy Award nomination.[4]
Theatre
In addition to his film and television career, Morse has continued to appear on stage. For his performance in the 1997 Off-Broadway production of Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama How I Learned to Drive, he received an Obie Award, a Drama League Award, a Drama Desk Award and a Lucille Lortel Award. That same year Morse played Father Barry in the play adaptation of On the Waterfront along with James Gandolfini and Penelope Ann Miller. The play only ran for a week, with just eight performances.[14] From 2007 to 2008, Morse appeared on Broadway in Conor McPherson's The Seafarer.[15][16]
Personal life
Morse has been married to actress Susan Wheeler Duff since June 19, 1982.[6] They have three children, one daughter and twin sons.[6] In 1994, Morse moved to Philadelphia with his family after the 1994 Northridge earthquake to be near his wife's family.[17][10] Morse stated that out of all of the films he has done, his favorites are The Green Mile,[17] The Crossing Guard and The Indian Runner.[13]
Filmography
Film work
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Inside Moves | Jerry Maxwell | |
| 1981 | Our Family Business | Phil | TV movie |
| 1982 | Max Dugan Returns | Shoe Store Cop | |
| 1983 | Prototype | Michael | TV movie |
| 1984 | Shattered Vows | Father Tim | TV movie |
| 1985 | When Dreams Come True | Robert Wynton | TV movie |
| 1987 | Place at the Table | TV movie | |
| Personal Foul | |||
| Six Against the Rock | Marvin Hubbard | TV movie | |
| Downpayment on Murder | Det. Jackson | TV movie | |
| 1988 | Winnie | Thomas | TV movie |
| 1989 | Cross of Fire | TV movie | |
| 1990 | Desperate Hours | Albert | |
| 1991 | Two-Fisted Tales | Tom McMurdo | Segment: "Showdown" |
| Cry in the Wild: The Taking of Peggy Ann | Bicycle Pete | TV movie | |
| The Indian Runner | Joe Roberts | ||
| 1992 | Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster | Rick Steiner | TV movie |
| 1993 | Miracle on Interstate 880 | Dr. Jim Betts | TV movie |
| The Good Son | Jack | ||
| 1994 | The Getaway | Jim Deer Jackson | |
| Magic Kid II | Jack | ||
| 1995 | The Taming Power of the Small | ||
| The Langoliers | Captain Brian Engle | TV movie | |
| Tecumseh: The Last Warrior | Galloway | TV movie | |
| The Crossing Guard | John Booth | Nominated: Best Supporting Male at the Independent Spirit Awards | |
| Twelve Monkeys | Dr. Peters | ||
| 1996 | The Rock | Major Tom Baxter | |
| Extreme Measures | FBI Agent Frank Hare | ||
| The Long Kiss Goodnight | Luke/Daedalus | ||
| 1997 | George B | George | |
| Murder Live! | Frank McGrath | TV movie | |
| Contact | Ted Arroway | ||
| 1998 | The Legend of Pig Eye | ||
| The Negotiator | Adam Beck | ||
| 1999 | Crazy in Alabama | Dove Bullis | |
| The Green Mile | Brutus "Brutal" Howell | Nominated: Best Cast at the Screen Actors Guild Awards | |
| 2000 | Bait | Edgar Clenteen | |
| Dancer in the Dark | Bill Houston | Also performed the song "Smith & Wesson" in the film. | |
| Proof of Life | Peter Bowman | ||
| 2001 | Diary of a City Priest | Father John McNamee | |
| Hearts in Atlantis | Bobby Garfield (Adult) | ||
| 2002 | The Slaughter Rule | Gideon "Gid" Ferguson | |
| Hack | Mike Olshansky | TV movie preceding the TV show of the same name. | |
| Double Vision (film) | Kevin Richter | Nominated: Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Horse Film Festival | |
| 2005 | Down in the Valley | Wade | |
| Nearing Grace | Shep Nearing | ||
| Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story | Palmer | ||
| 2006 | A.W.O.L. | Marquette | |
| 16 Blocks | Det. Frank Nugent | ||
| St. Elsewhere: The Place to Be | Himself; Dr. Jack Morrison | Direct-to-video | |
| 2007 | Hounddog | Daddy | |
| Disturbia | Robert Turner | ||
| 2008 | Passengers | Arkin | |
| 2009 | The Hurt Locker | Colonel Reed | Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Cast |
| 2010 | Mother and Child | Tom | |
| Shanghai | |||
| Mint Julep | Karl | ||
| 2011 | Drive Angry | ||
| Winter in the Blood | Airplane Man |
Television work
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Nurse | Kevin Mallory | Episode: Equal Opportunity |
| 1982 – 1988 | St. Elsewhere | Dr. Jack Morrison | Also directed the episodes "A Coupla White Dummies Sitting Around Talking" and "Handoff" |
| 1987 | Friday the 13th | Director/Writer | Episode: A Friend to the End |
| 1989 | Brotherhood of the Rose | Chris/Remus | Miniseries |
| Midnight Caller | Chandler | Episode: Wait Until Midnight | |
| 1992 | The Hat Squad | Episode: Frankie Stein | |
| Tales from the Crypt | Episode: Showdown | ||
| Reasonable Doubts | Edward Durrell | Episode: Moment of Doubt | |
| 1993 | Big Wave Dave's | Dave Bell | Short running sitcom |
| SeaQuest DSV | Lenny Sutter | Episode: SeaWest | |
| Homicide: Life on the Street | Jim Bayliss | Episode: Colors | |
| Action Man | Additional Voices | ||
| 2001 | Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided | Abraham Lincoln | Miniseries; Voice Role |
| 2002 – 2004 | Hack | Mike Olshansky | Also wrote the episode "Gone". |
| 2006 2007 |
House | Det. Michael Tritter | Episodes: Fools for Love Que Será Será Son of Coma Guy Finding Judas Merry Little Christmas Words and Deeds Nominated for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor - Drama Series |
| 2008 | John Adams | George Washington | Miniseries; Nominated for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Miniseries or a Movie.[4] |
| 2009 | Medium | Douglas Lydecker | three episodes |
| 2010 | Treme | NOPD Lieutenant Terry Colson | Episodes: Shame, Shame, Shame Wish Someone Would Care I'll Fly Away |
Theatre
Broadway
| Title | Role | Run |
|---|---|---|
| On the Waterfront | Father Barry | May 1, 1995 – May 7, 1995 |
| The Seafarer | James "Sharky" Harkin | December 6, 2007 – March 30, 2008 |
Off-Broadway
| Title | Role | Run | Theatre | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threads | Nub | October 25, 1981 – November 22, 1981 | Circle Theatre | |
| How I Learned to Drive | Peck | May 6, 1997 – April 19, 1998 | Century Center for the Performing Arts | Won: Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Actor Won: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor Won: Obie Award for Performance Nominated: Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.pittsburgpost.com/pg/08175/891886-129.stm
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards and Creative Arts Emmy Awards Nominees are...". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. http://www.emmys.org/awards/2007pt/59thnominations.php. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Complete 2008 Nominations List". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 2008-07-17. http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2008pte/60thpte_noms.php. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
- ↑ "David Morse Biography (1953-)". Filmreference. http://www.filmreference.com/film/60/David-Morse.html. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "David Morse Biography". Unofficial David Morse website. http://www.davidmorse.org/bio/. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ↑ "William Esper Studio for Acting". http://www.nycastings.com/Resources_s/ViewResourceDetail.asp?Qn=98. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ↑ Willis, John. 1981 Film Annual Screen World. Screen World. 32. Crown. ISBN 05849707.
- ↑ Thompson, Robert J.. "St. Elsewhere". The Museum of Broadcast Communications. http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/stelsewhere/stelsewhere.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Byrne, Bridget (2006-11-08). "David Morse a 'House' Cop With a Problem". Associated Press. http://www.austin360.com/tv/content/tv/stories/2006/11/9davidmorse.html. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ↑ "Colors". Fontana, Tom; Attanasio, Paul; Mark, Bonnie. Homicide: Life on the Street. NBC. 1995-04-28. No. 19, season 3.
- ↑ Podhoretz, John (2007-04-30). "Hitchcock Lite; Entertaining, yes, but Shia LaBeouf is no James Stewart". review on Disturbia (The Weekly Standard): pp. 46–47.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Murray, Noel. "Random Roles: David Morse". The A.V. club. http://www.avclub.com/content/feature/random_roles_david_morse?utm_source=imdb_rss_1. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ↑ "On the Waterfront". The Internet Broadway Database. http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4298. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ↑ Latifi, Sadia (2007-06-12). "We Ask David Morse of ‘The Seafarer’ Who's Tougher: The Devil or House?". New York Magazine. http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2007/12/we_ask_david_morse_of_the_seaf.html. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
- ↑ "The Seafarer". The Internet Broadway Database. http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=462798. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Amodio, Joseph V. (2008-02-24). "Fast Chat: David Morse". Actor David Morse of 'The Green Mile' and 'Disturbia' is starring on Broadway in 'The Seafarer.' (Newsday).
External links
- David Morse at the Internet Movie Database
- David Morse at the Internet Broadway Database
- David Morse at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
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