Robert Morse, ‘Mad Men’ Actor and Tony Winner, Dies at 90
Robert Morse, the two-time Tony-winning actor who also played Bert Cooper on AMC’s Mad Men, has died. He was 90.
Morse’s death was confirmed by his son, Charlie, to Los Angeles’ ABC affiliate ABC7. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors VP Larry Karaszewski also confirmed Morse’s death saying via Twitter, “My good pal Bobby Morse has passed away at age 90. A huge talent and a beautiful spirit. Sending love to his son Charlie & daughter Allyn. Had so much fun hanging with Bobby over the years – filming People v OJ & hosting so many screenings (How To Succeed, Loved One, That’s Life)”
Morse’s acting career spanned both stage and screen. He earned his first Tony Award in 1962 for Best Actor in a Musical for originating the role of J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, a role he’d reprise in the 1967 film adaptation. His second Tony Award came in 1990 for Best Actor in a Play for his performance as Truman Capote in Tru.
For those not familiar with the Broadway world, Morse will forever be known as Bertram Cooper, the looming patriarch-type figure and founding partner of the Sterling Cooper advertising agency and its various subsequent name varieties, on AMC’s hit drama Mad Men, which ran for seven season. Morse received five Primetime Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Cooper in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series category.