Background
Morton was born Morton Goldaper in New York City of Jewish heritage.
Morton was born Morton Goldaper in New York City of Jewish heritage.
He was a stand-up comedian, whose primary venues were the hotels and resorts of the Borscht Belt in upstate New New York In 1960, Morton met Lucille Ball in New York City a few months before she opened on Broadway in the musical Wildcat. Morton claimed he was always busy working nights, so had not seen the beloved series I Love Lucy.
Morton signed a prenuptial agreement to stifle rumors that he was a gold digger.
Morton was 13 years younger than Lucille Balliol 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 1996 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 helped Ball form Lucille Ball Productions to allow her to have more of a free hand in television production. 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 occasionally in films.
On March 30, 1999, he died of lung cancer at the age of 74 in Palm Springs, California.