Direct Answer: Harry Morgan’s Age
Harry Morgan was born on April 10, 1915, and died on December 7, 2011. He was 96 years old at the time of his death. To determine his current age, simply add the elapsed years since 2011 to his birth year. For example, in 2025, he would have been 110 if still alive. Because his death date is well documented, age estimates for any year after 2011 are calculated retrospectively from his confirmed birth year of 1915.
Biographical Overview
Harry Morgan was an American actor and director whose career spanned stage, radio, film, and television. He is best known for his roles as Colonel Sherman Potter in M*A*S*H and as Detective Bill Gannon in Dragnet. His work often emphasized steady, authoritative performances that balanced gravitas with warmth. This profile focuses on verifiable dates and career highlights relevant to understanding his age and professional timeline.
Confirmed Birth and Death Details
Birth Records
Reliable public records show Harry Morgan was born on April 10, 1915, in Detroit, Michigan. These records are supported by census data and family documentation, making his birth year one of the more securely established facts in biographical sources.
Death and Obituary Information
Morgan died on December 7, 2011, at the age of 96. Official obituaries and death certificates confirm this date, allowing for precise age calculations for any year after his passing. Because the death year is fixed, estimating his age in past or future years becomes a straightforward arithmetic exercise based on his 1915 birth year.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 10, 1915 | Birth Certificate / Biography |
| Date of Death | December 7, 2011 | Death Certificate / Obituary |
| Age at Death | 96 years | Calculated from birth and death dates |
| Place of Birth | Detroit, Michigan, USA | Biographical Records |
Career Highlights
Morgan’s career began in radio before transitioning to film and television. His longevity in the industry is reflected in the span between his earliest credited work in the 1940s and his final performances in the 2000s. His age during key projects can be inferred by comparing project dates with his verified birth year.
Dragnet and Early Television
In the 1950s, Morgan appeared in Dragnet, where he played Detective Bill Gannon. Because the show aired between 1951 and 1959, his age at the time ranged from approximately 36 to 44, calculated from his 1915 birth year.
M*A*S*H and Later Work
From 1975 to 1983, Morgan portrayed Colonel Potter on M*A*S*H. During the series premiere in 1975, he was about 60 years old. By the finale in 1983, he was approximately 68. His age during this period aligns with established timelines and does not rely on speculation.
Age Calculations Over Time
Because Harry Morgan’s birth year is confirmed as 1915, you can calculate his age in any given year by subtracting 1915 from that year. For instance, in 1990 he would have been 75; in 2000, 85; and in 2010, one year before his death, he was 95. This method ensures consistent and fact-based age determination.
- Age in 1970: 55
- Age in 1985: 70
- Age in 2005: 90
- Age in 2010: 95
Common Misconceptions
Because Morgan’s roles often spanned decades, some may misremember his age or conflate characters with different timelines. However, official records clarify that he was born in 1915 and remained active into his late 80s. Relying on primary documents helps avoid confusion that can arise from informal or unverified sources.
How to Determine Age for Any Given Year
To find Harry Morgan’s age in a specific year, subtract 1915 from that year. If the target year is before 1915, the result would be negative, which has no biographical meaning in this context. For years after 2011, the calculation reflects how old he would have been had he survived. This approach is simple, transparent, and grounded in documented evidence.