Gary Morton

 Posted on October 2, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  586 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

Gary Morton, standup comedian who married Lucille Ball in 1961 and served as producer for her post-“I Love Lucy” TV series and her movie version of the musical “Mame,” died March 30 of lung cancer at Eisenhower Memorial Hospital in Palm Springs. He was 74.

He was executive producer of Ball’s “The Lucy Show” (1962-68), “Here’s Lucy” (1968-74) and “Life With Lucy” (1986). He also produced the 1974 musi-cal “Mame,” which starred Ball, the 1983 Tom Cruise starrer “All the Right Moves” and several Ball TV specials throughout the 1970s.

As an actor, Morton had supporting roles in films including “Lenny” (1974) and “Postcards From the Edge” (1990).

Born in New York City, he became a popular nightclub comedian before Ball brought him to Hollywood. After Ball’s divorce from Desi Arnaz, Morton became involved with her TV career as a warm-up comedian for her second CBS sitcom, “The Lucy Show.” Over the years, he continued to do the warm-ups for the series despite his elevated executive capacity.

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Upon Ball’s sale of Desilu to Paramount in 1967, she formed Lucille Ball Prods., tapping Morton VP. The company produced “Here’s Lucy.”

Ball and Morton were married from 1961 until her death in 1989. In 1996, Morton married Susie McAllister, who survives him.

No services were planned.

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