Robert Morley - Revision history

Kurt: /* Career */

2023-02-14T04:21:08Z

Career

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	==Career==		==Career==
			[[File:Robert Morley in Marie Antoinette trailer.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Still from the trailer for ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)\|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938)]]
	Morley made his [[West End theatre\|West End]] stage debut in 1929 in ''Treasure Island'' at the [[Novello Theatre\|Strand Theatre]] and his [[Broadway theatre\|Broadway]] debut in 1938 in the title role of ''[[Oscar Wilde (play)\|Oscar Wilde]]'' at the [[Fulton Theatre/Helen Hayes Theatre\|Fulton Theatre]].<ref name=nytimes>{{cite web\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/04/arts/robert-morley-jowly-actor-of-jovial-roles-dies-at-84.html\|title=Robert Morley, Jowly Actor of Jovial Roles, Dies at 84\|date=4 June 1992\|website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/oscar-wilde-12387\|title=Oscar Wilde – Broadway Play – Original - IBDB\|first=The Broadway\|last=League\|website=ibdb.com}}</ref> Although soon won over to the big screen, Morley remained both a busy West End star and successful author, as well as appearing in touring productions.<ref name=nytimes/>		Morley made his [[West End theatre\|West End]] stage debut in 1929 in ''Treasure Island'' at the [[Novello Theatre\|Strand Theatre]] and his [[Broadway theatre\|Broadway]] debut in 1938 in the title role of ''[[Oscar Wilde (play)\|Oscar Wilde]]'' at the [[Fulton Theatre/Helen Hayes Theatre\|Fulton Theatre]].<ref name=nytimes>{{cite web\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/04/arts/robert-morley-jowly-actor-of-jovial-roles-dies-at-84.html\|title=Robert Morley, Jowly Actor of Jovial Roles, Dies at 84\|date=4 June 1992\|website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/oscar-wilde-12387\|title=Oscar Wilde – Broadway Play – Original - IBDB\|first=The Broadway\|last=League\|website=ibdb.com}}</ref> Although soon won over to the big screen, Morley remained both a busy West End star and successful author, as well as appearing in touring productions.<ref name=nytimes/>

	~~[[File:Robert Morley in Marie Antoinette trailer.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Still from the trailer for ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)\|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938)]]~~
	A versatile actor, especially in his younger years, he played [[Louis XVI of France\|Louis XVI]] in ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)\|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938), for which he received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.filmsite.org/aa38.html\|title=1938 Academy Awards® Winners and History\|website=filmsite.org}}</ref>		A versatile actor, especially in his younger years, he played [[Louis XVI of France\|Louis XVI]] in ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)\|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938), for which he received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.filmsite.org/aa38.html\|title=1938 Academy Awards® Winners and History\|website=filmsite.org}}</ref>

Kurt: /* Career */

2023-02-14T04:20:44Z

Career

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	==Career==		==Career==
	Morley made his [[West End theatre\|West End]] stage debut in 1929 in ''Treasure Island'' at the [[Novello Theatre\|Strand Theatre]] and his [[Broadway theatre\|Broadway]] debut in 1938 in the title role of ''[[Oscar Wilde (play)\|Oscar Wilde]]'' at the [[Fulton Theatre/Helen Hayes Theatre\|Fulton Theatre]].<ref name=nytimes>{{cite web\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/04/arts/robert-morley-jowly-actor-of-jovial-roles-dies-at-84.html\|title=Robert Morley, Jowly Actor of Jovial Roles, Dies at 84\|date=4 June 1992\|website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/oscar-wilde-12387\|title=Oscar Wilde – Broadway Play – Original - IBDB\|first=The Broadway\|last=League\|website=ibdb.com}}</ref> Although soon won over to the big screen, Morley remained both a busy West End star and successful author, as well as appearing in touring productions.<ref name=nytimes/>		Morley made his [[West End theatre\|West End]] stage debut in 1929 in ''Treasure Island'' at the [[Novello Theatre\|Strand Theatre]] and his [[Broadway theatre\|Broadway]] debut in 1938 in the title role of ''[[Oscar Wilde (play)\|Oscar Wilde]]'' at the [[Fulton Theatre/Helen Hayes Theatre\|Fulton Theatre]].<ref name=nytimes>{{cite web\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/04/arts/robert-morley-jowly-actor-of-jovial-roles-dies-at-84.html\|title=Robert Morley, Jowly Actor of Jovial Roles, Dies at 84\|date=4 June 1992\|website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/oscar-wilde-12387\|title=Oscar Wilde – Broadway Play – Original - IBDB\|first=The Broadway\|last=League\|website=ibdb.com}}</ref> Although soon won over to the big screen, Morley remained both a busy West End star and successful author, as well as appearing in touring productions.<ref name=nytimes/>
	~~[[File:Robert Morley in Marie Antoinette trailer.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Still from the trailer for ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)\|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938)]]~~

			[[File:Robert Morley in Marie Antoinette trailer.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Still from the trailer for ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)\|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938)]]
	A versatile actor, especially in his younger years, he played [[Louis XVI of France\|Louis XVI]] in ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)\|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938), for which he received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.filmsite.org/aa38.html\|title=1938 Academy Awards® Winners and History\|website=filmsite.org}}</ref>		A versatile actor, especially in his younger years, he played [[Louis XVI of France\|Louis XVI]] in ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)\|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938), for which he received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.filmsite.org/aa38.html\|title=1938 Academy Awards® Winners and History\|website=filmsite.org}}</ref>

Kurt at 04:17, 14 February 2023

2023-02-14T04:17:46Z

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	~~{{Short description\|English actor (1908–1992)}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Robert Morley		\| name = Robert Morley
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	In his book ''British Film Character Actors'', Terence Pettigrew wrote: "Morley, who has more wobbly chins than a [[Shanghai]] drinking club, enjoys poking fun at life's absurdities, among whom he generously includes himself."<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z3Wl9qRevrEC&q=robert+morley+more+wobbly+chins+than+a+Shanghai+drinking+club+terence+pettigrew&pg=PA145\|title=British Film Character Actors: Great Names and Memorable Moments\|first=Terence\|last=Pettigrew\|date=4 November 1982\|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield\|isbn=9780715382707}}</ref>		In his book ''British Film Character Actors'', Terence Pettigrew wrote: "Morley, who has more wobbly chins than a [[Shanghai]] drinking club, enjoys poking fun at life's absurdities, among whom he generously includes himself."<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z3Wl9qRevrEC&q=robert+morley+more+wobbly+chins+than+a+Shanghai+drinking+club+terence+pettigrew&pg=PA145\|title=British Film Character Actors: Great Names and Memorable Moments\|first=Terence\|last=Pettigrew\|date=4 November 1982\|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield\|isbn=9780715382707}}</ref>

	He was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1974 when he was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]].~~{{Citation needed\|date=September 2021}}~~		He was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1974 when he was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]].

	==Personal life and honours==		==Personal life and honours==

Kurt at 22:53, 30 December 2022

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	{{Short description\|English actor (1908–1992)}}		{{Short description\|English actor (1908–1992)}}
	~~{{About\|the English actor\|the Australian soap opera actor\|Bob Morley\|other people}}~~

	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2020}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=April 2012}}~~
	~~{{more citations needed\|date=April 2011}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Robert Morley		\| name = Robert Morley
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	==External links==		==External links==
	~~{{Portal\|Biography}}~~
	~~{{Commons category}}~~
	* {{IMDb name\|605923}}		* {{IMDb name\|605923}}
	* {{IBDB name}}		* {{IBDB name}}
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	* {{Find a Grave}}		* {{Find a Grave}}
	* [http://www.britmovie.co.uk/actors/Robert-Morley Britmovie (Robert Morley)]		* [http://www.britmovie.co.uk/actors/Robert-Morley Britmovie (Robert Morley)]

	~~{{Distinguished Performance Award}}~~
	~~{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}~~
	~~{{National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor}}~~
	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Morley, Robert}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Morley, Robert}}

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-12-30T22:44:30Z

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en>Rodw: Disambiguating links to High Road to China (link changed to High Road to China (film)) using DisamAssist.

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Disambiguating links to High Road to China (link changed to High Road to China (film)) using DisamAssist.

New page

{{Short description|English actor (1908–1992)}}
{{About|the English actor|the Australian soap opera actor|Bob Morley|other people}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2012}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2011}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Robert Morley
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|commas=on|CBE}}
| image = Robert Morley 3 Allan Warren.jpg
| caption = Morley in 1975
| birth_name = Robert Adolph Wilton Morley
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1908|05|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Semley]], [[Wiltshire]], England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1992|06|03|1908|05|26|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Reading, Berkshire]], England
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor| playwright|screenwriter}}
| years_active = 1928–1989
| spouse = {{marriage|Joan Buckmaster|1940}}
| children = 3
}}

'''Robert Adolph Wilton Morley''', [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire|CBE]] (26 May 1908 – 3 June 1992) was an English actor who enjoyed a lengthy career in both Britain and the United States. He was frequently cast as a pompous English [[gentleman]] representing [[the Establishment]], often in supporting roles.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba192a594|title=Robert Morley}}</ref> In 1939 he received an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nomination for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] for his portrayal of King [[Louis XVI]] in ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)|Marie Antoinette]]''.

In ''Movie Encyclopedia'', film critic [[Leonard Maltin]] describes Morley as "recognisable by his ungainly bulk, bushy eyebrows, thick lips and double chin, ... particularly effective when cast as a pompous windbag." [[Ephraim Katz]] in his ''International Film Encyclopaedia'' describes Morley as "a rotund, triple-chinned, delightful character player of the British and American stage and screen." In his autobiography, ''Responsible Gentleman'', Morley said his stage career started with managements valuing his appearance for playing "substantial gentleman" roles – as a doctor, lawyer, accountant or other professional member of society.

==Early life==
Morley was born in [[Semley]], [[Wiltshire]], England, the son of Gertrude Emily ([[née]] Fass) and Robert Wilton Morley, a major in the British Army.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JLIDAAAAMAAJ&q=robert+morley+fass+gertrude|title=Larger than life: the biography of Robert Morley - Margaret Morley - Google Books |isbn=9780860510642 |access-date=2012-06-12|last1=Morley |first1=Margaret |year=1979 }}</ref> His mother came from a German family that had emigrated to South Africa. Morley attended [[Wellington College, Berkshire|Wellington College]], [[Berkshire]], which he hated, followed by [[RADA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/passedfailed-sheridan-morley-1262749.html|title=PASSED/FAILED: Sheridan Morley|website=[[Independent.co.uk]]|date=22 May 1997}}</ref><ref name=nytimes/> As he was a famous "Old Wellingtonian", generations of headmasters tried to contact him, without success, with Morley stating "the only reason for me visiting Wellington would be to burn it down".<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vPg2DwAAQBAJ&q=robert+morley+attended+Wellington+College+%22the+only+reason+for+me+visiting+Wellington+would+be+to+burn+it+down%22.&pg=PA50|title=Playboys and Mayfair Men: Crime, Class, Masculinity, and Fascism in 1930s London|first=Angus|last=McLaren|date=15 September 2017|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=9781421423470}}</ref>

==Career==
Morley made his [[West End theatre|West End]] stage debut in 1929 in ''Treasure Island'' at the [[Novello Theatre|Strand Theatre]] and his [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in 1938 in the title role of ''[[Oscar Wilde (play)|Oscar Wilde]]'' at the [[Fulton Theatre/Helen Hayes Theatre|Fulton Theatre]].<ref name=nytimes>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/04/arts/robert-morley-jowly-actor-of-jovial-roles-dies-at-84.html|title=Robert Morley, Jowly Actor of Jovial Roles, Dies at 84|date=4 June 1992|website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/oscar-wilde-12387|title=Oscar Wilde – Broadway Play – Original - IBDB|first=The Broadway|last=League|website=ibdb.com}}</ref> Although soon won over to the big screen, Morley remained both a busy West End star and successful author, as well as appearing in touring productions.<ref name=nytimes/>
[[File:Robert Morley in Marie Antoinette trailer.jpg|thumb|left|Still from the trailer for ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938)]]

A versatile actor, especially in his younger years, he played [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] in ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938), for which he received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmsite.org/aa38.html|title=1938 Academy Awards® Winners and History|website=filmsite.org}}</ref>

He co-wrote several plays for the stage. His 1937 play ''[[Goodness, How Sad]]'' was turned into an [[Ealing Studios]] film, ''[[Return to Yesterday]]'' (1940), directed by [[Robert Stevenson (director)|Robert Stevenson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b43e8c5|title=Return to Yesterday (1940)}}</ref> Later, he had outstanding success in London and [[New York City|New York]] with ''[[Edward, My Son (play)|Edward, My Son]]'', a gripping family drama written in 1947 in collaboration with [[Noel Langley]].<ref name=nytimes/> Morley played the central role of Arnold Holt, but in the disappointing film version [[Spencer Tracy]] was miscast, turning Holt, an unscrupulous English businessman, into a blustering [[Canadians|Canadian]] expatriate. ''[[Edward, My Son]]'' (1949) was directed by [[George Cukor]] for [[MGM-British Studios|MGM-British]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/edward-my-son-v90317/review|title=Edward, My Son (1949) - George Cukor - Review - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref> Morley's acting career continued with roles as a [[missionary]] in ''[[The African Queen (film)|The African Queen]]'' (1951), ''[[The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan]]'' (1953), as [[W. S. Gilbert]], and in ''[[Oscar Wilde (film)|Oscar Wilde]]'' (1960).<ref name=bfi/> In 1959 he appeared in an ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' adaptation of a [[Stanley Ellin]] short story entitled, 'Specialty of the House'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/alfred-hitchcock-presents-specialty-of-the-house-v349727|title=Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Specialty of the House (1959) - Robert Stevens - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref>

[[Ken Annakin]]'s ''[[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines]]'' was released 16 June 1965. In the [[Cinema of the United Kingdom|British]] [[Period film|period]] [[comedy film]], Morley is featured among an international [[ensemble cast]] including [[Stuart Whitman]], [[Sarah Miles]], [[Terry-Thomas]], [[James Fox]], [[Red Skelton]], [[Benny Hill]], [[Jean-Pierre Cassel]], [[Gert Fröbe]] and [[Alberto Sordi]]. The film, revolving around the craze of early aviation circa 1910, is about a pompous newspaper magnate (Morley) who is convinced, by his daughter (Miles) and her fiancé (Fox), to organize an air race from London to Paris. A large sum of money is offered to the winner, hence it attracts a variety of characters who participate. The film received positive reviews, describing it as funny, colourful, clever and having captured the early enthusiasm for aviation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C0DEEDF173BE13ABC4F52DFB066838E679EDE|title=Movie Review: Those Magnificent Men In their Flying Machines (1965)|last=Crowther|first=Bosley|date=17 June 1965|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1964/film/reviews/those-magnificent-men-in-their-flying-machines-or-how-i-flew-from-london-to-paris-in-25-hours-11-minutes-1200420712/|title=Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines – Or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes|date=1965-01-01|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/movies/magnificent-men-flying/review/120398|title=Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines{{spaced ndash}}Or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes: TV Guide Review|website=TV Guide.com|access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref> It was treated as a major production, one of only three full-length 70 mm [[Todd-AO]] Fox releases in 1965 with an intermission and musical interlude part of the original screenings.<ref name="DVD">"Director's Voice-over Commentary". ''Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines'' DVD, 2004.</ref> Because of the Todd-AO process, the film was an exclusive roadshow feature initially shown in deluxe Cinerama venues, where customers needed reserved seats purchased ahead of time.<ref name="Munn">Munn (1983), p. 161.</ref> The film grossed $31,111,111 theatrically and on home video $29,950,000.<ref name="numbers">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1965/0TMMF.php|title=Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Box Office Information|website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|access-date=7 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/foxthatgotawayt00silv|title=The Fox that got away : the last days of the Zanuck dynasty at Twentieth Century-Fox|last=Silverman|first=Stephen M|publisher=L. Stuart|year=1988|page=[https://archive.org/details/foxthatgotawayt00silv/page/324 324]|isbn=9780818404856|url-access=registration}}</ref> Audience reaction both in first release and even today, is nearly universal in assessing the film as one of the "classic" aviation films.<ref>Hardwick & Schnepf (1989), p. 58.</ref>

Morley also personified the conservative Englishman in many comedy and [[caper story|caper films]]. He was the face of [[BOAC]] (later [[British Airways]]) as the merry television commercial spokesman of the 1970s with "We'll take good care of you" for British Airways.<ref name=allmovie/> Later in his career, he received critical acclaim and numerous accolades for his performance in ''[[Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/movies/who-is-killing-the-great-chefs-of-europe/review/126973/|title=Who Is Killing The Great Chefs of Europe?|website=TV Guide}}</ref>
During the 1980s, Morley hosted a celebrity cooking show on Cable TV, ''Celebrity Chefs''. In 1980, Morley hosted (providing explanatory introductions) the 14-episode Granada Television anthology series ''Ladykillers''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/ladykillers.htm|title=LADYKILLERS - A TELEVISION HEAVEN REVIEW|first=laurence|last=marcus|website=televisionheaven.co.uk}}</ref>

He was renowned as a witty [[raconteur]] and for being an eloquent conversationalist,<ref name=allmovie>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/robert-morley-p50731|title=Robert Morley - Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref> as well as a noted and enthusiastic [[gourmet]], in real life and in various roles in film and TV.<ref>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/robert-morley/ The many meals of Robert Morley]. ''British Comedy Guide'', [[Graham McCann]], 28 June 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.</ref>

Morley was honoured by being the first ''King of Moomba'' appointed by the [[Melbourne]] [[Moomba]] festival committee and, in typical humility, he accepted the crown in bare feet.<ref>[http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Moomba/History%20of%20Moomba.pdf ''Moomba – A festival for the people''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060825203938/http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Moomba/History%20of%20Moomba.pdf |date=25 August 2006 }} PDF pp 18 & 22 Craig Bellamy, Gordon Chisholm & Hilary Ericksen (2006)</ref><ref>[http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/hwtports/0/0/3/doc/hp003901.shtml photo of Robert Morley accepting King of Moomba crown] Melbourne ''[[Herald Sun|Herald]]'' newspaper</ref> Morley was in [[Australia]] touring his one-man show, ''The Sound of Morley''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/people/926082?c=people|title=Morley, Robert (-1992) - People and organisations|website=Trove}}</ref>

In his book ''British Film Character Actors'', Terence Pettigrew wrote: "Morley, who has more wobbly chins than a [[Shanghai]] drinking club, enjoys poking fun at life's absurdities, among whom he generously includes himself."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z3Wl9qRevrEC&q=robert+morley+more+wobbly+chins+than+a+Shanghai+drinking+club+terence+pettigrew&pg=PA145|title=British Film Character Actors: Great Names and Memorable Moments|first=Terence|last=Pettigrew|date=4 November 1982|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9780715382707}}</ref>

He was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1974 when he was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

==Personal life and honours==
Robert Morley married Joan Buckmaster (1910–2005), a daughter of [[Dame Gladys Cooper]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/476520/|title=BFI Screenonline: Morley, Robert (1908-1992) Biography|website=screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> Their elder son, [[Sheridan Morley]], became a writer and critic. They also had a daughter, Annabel, and another son, Wilton.<ref name=nytimes/>

Morley was appointed a Commander of the [[Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in 1957 and was also offered a knighthood in 1975 but declined.<ref>Hope, Christopher (25 January 2012) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20120126060222/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/honours-list/9039608/Official-JB-Priestley-Roald-Dahl-Lucien-Freud-and-LS-Lowry-among-277-others-turned-down-honours-from-the-Queen.html JB Priestley, Roald Dahl, Lucian Freud and LS Lowry among 277 people who turned down honours]", ''The Telegraph''</ref>

Morley lived for decades at [[Wargrave]], Berkshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/3339669/The-final-curtain.html|title=The final curtain|first=Sheridan|last=Morley|date=27 February 2005|work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>

==Death==
Morley died in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], England, from a [[stroke]] aged 84.<ref name=nytimes/>

==Theatre career==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* First stage appearance in ''[[Dr Syn]]'' (Hippodrome, Margate, 28 May 1928)
* First London role, a pirate in ''[[Treasure Island]]'' ([[Novello Theatre|Strand Theatre]], Christmas 1929)
* Touring, plus Playhouse Oxford and Festival Cambridge repertory, (1931–1933)
* Oakes in ''Up in the Air'' ([[Royalty Theatre]], London 1933)
* Touring with Sir Frank Benson (1934–35)
* Ran a repertory company with [[Peter Bull]] ([[Perranporth]], [[Cornwall]], 1935)
* Title role in ''[[Oscar Wilde (play)|Oscar Wilde]]'' ([[Gate Theatre Studio]], Villiers Street, London, 1936)
* Alexandre Dumas in ''The Great Romancer'' (Strand Theatre and [[Noël Coward Theatre|New Theatre]], 1937)
* Henry Higgins in ''[[Pygmalion (play)|Pygmalion]]'' ([[Old Vic Theatre]], 1937)
* Title role in ''[[Oscar Wilde (play)|Oscar Wilde]]'' ([[Fulton Theatre/Helen Hayes Theatre|Fulton Theatre]], [[New York City|New York]], October 1938)
* Title role in ''[[Springtime for Henry]]'' (Perranporth, 1939)
* Descius Heiss in ''Play with Fire'' (try-out version of ''The Shop at Sly Corner'', [[Theatre Royal, Brighton]], 1941)
* Sheridan Whiteside in ''[[The Man Who Came to Dinner]]'' ([[Savoy Theatre]] — and on tour – 1941–43)
* Charles in ''Staff Dance'' (also wrote, touring UK, 1944)
* Prince Regent in ''[[The First Gentleman (play)|The First Gentleman]]'' (New Theatre and Savoy, 1945–46)
* Arnold Holt in ''[[Edward, My Son (play)|Edward, My Son]]'' (also co-wrote, [[Her Majesty's Theatre|His Majesty's Theatre]], 1947; also played this role at the [[Martin Beck Theatre]] [[New York City|New York]] 1948, and in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]], 1949–50)
* Philip in ''[[The Little Hut]]'' ([[Lyric Theatre (London)|Lyric Theatre]], 1950)
* Hippo in ''Hippo Dancing'' (also adapted, Lyric, 1954)
* Oswald Petersham in ''A Likely Tale'' ([[Gielgud Theatre|Globe Theatre]], 1956)
* Panisse in the musical ''[[Fanny (musical)|Fanny]]'' ([[Drury Lane]], 1956)
* ''[[The Tunnel of Love]]'' (directed, Her Majesty's, 1957)
* Sebastian Le Boeuf in ''Hook, Line and Sinker'' (also adapted, [[Piccadilly Theatre]], 1958)
* ''Once More, with Feeling'' (directed, New Theatre, 1959)
* Mr Asano in ''[[A Majority of One]]'' ([[Phoenix Theatre (London)|Phoenix Theatre]], 1960)
* Title role in ''Mr Rhodes'' ([[Theatre Royal Windsor]], 1961)
* The Bishop in ''A Time to Laugh'' (Piccadilly, 1962)
* ''The Sound of Morley'' (One-man show, touring Australia 1966–67)
* Sir Mallalieu Fitzbuttress in ''[[Halfway Up the Tree]]'' ([[Sondheim Theatre|Queen's Theatre]], 1967)
* Frank Foster in ''[[How the Other Half Loves]]'' (Lyric, 1970; also [[North America]], 1972, and Australia, 1973)
* Barnstable in ''A Ghost on Tiptoe'' (also co-wrote, Savoy, 1974)
* Pound in ''[[Banana Ridge (play)|Banana Ridge]]'' (Savoy, 1976)
* Toured ''Robert Morley Talks to Everyone'' (1978)
* ''Picture of Innocence'' (co-wrote and toured UK and [[Canada]], 1978)
* Hilary in [[Alan Bennett]]'s ''[[The Old Country]]'' ([[Theatre Royal, Sydney]], 1980)
{{div col end}}

==Complete filmography==
{{Div col}}
* ''[[Scrooge (1935 film)|Scrooge]]'' (1935) as Rich man (uncredited)
* ''[[Marie Antoinette (1938 film)|Marie Antoinette]]'' (1938) as [[King Louis XVI]]
* ''[[You Will Remember]]'' (1941) as Tom Barrett / Leslie Stuart
* ''[[Major Barbara (film)|Major Barbara]]'' (1941) as Andrew Undershaft
* ''[[The Big Blockade]]'' (1942) as German: Von Geiselbrecht
* ''[[This Was Paris]]'' (1942) as Van Der Stuyl
* ''Partners in Crime'' (1942, Short) as Judge (uncredited)
* ''[[The Foreman Went to France]]'' (1942) as Mayor Coutare of Bivary
* ''[[The Young Mr. Pitt]]'' (1942) as [[Charles James Fox]]
* ''[[I Live in Grosvenor Square]]'' (aka ''A Yank in London'') (1945), as Duke of Exmoor
* ''[[The Ghosts of Berkeley Square]]'' (1947) as Gen. "Jumbo" Burlap
* ''[[The Small Back Room]]'' (1949) (credited as "A Guest") as The Minister (uncredited)
* ''[[Edward, My Son]]'' (1949) as Cameo (uncredited)
* ''[[Outcast of the Islands]]'' (1951) as Elmer Almayer
* ''[[The African Queen (film)|The African Queen]]'' (1951) as Reverend Samuel Sayer, "The Brother"
* ''[[Curtain Up]]'' (1952) (opposite [[Margaret Rutherford]]) as Harry Derwent Blacker
* ''[[The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan]]'' (1953) as [[W.S. Gilbert]]
* ''[[Melba (film)|Melba]]'' (1953) as [[Oscar Hammerstein I]]
* ''[[The Final Test]]'' (1953) as Alexander Whitehead
* ''[[Beat the Devil (film)|Beat the Devil]]'' (1953) as Peterson
* ''[[The Good Die Young]]'' (1954) as Sir Francis Ravenscourt
* ''[[The Rainbow Jacket]]'' (1954) as Lord Logan
* ''[[Beau Brummell (1954 film)|Beau Brummell]]'' (1954) as [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]]
* ''[[The Adventures of Quentin Durward]]'' (1955) as [[Louis XI of France]]
* ''A Likely Tale'' (1956, TV Movie) as Oswald Petersham / Jonah Petersham
* ''[[Loser Takes All (film)|Loser Takes All]]'' (1956) as Dreuther
* ''[[Around the World in 80 Days (1956 film)|Around the World in 80 Days]]'' (1956) as Gauthier Ralph
* ''Fanny'' (1956, TV Movie) as Panisse
* ''[[Law and Disorder (1958 film)|Law and Disorder]]'' (1958) as Judge Crichton
* ''[[The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw]]'' (1958) as Uncle Lucius
* ''[[The Doctor's Dilemma (film)|The Doctor's Dilemma]]'' (1959) as Sir Ralph Bloomfield-Bonington
* ''[[The Journey (1959 film)|The Journey]]'' (1959) as Hugh Deverill
* ''[[Libel (film)|Libel]]'' (1959) as Sir Wilfred
* ''[[The Battle of the Sexes (1959 film)|The Battle of the Sexes]]'' (1959) as Robert MacPherson
* ''[[Oscar Wilde (film)|Oscar Wilde]]'' (1960) as Oscar Wilde
* ''A Majority of One'' (1960, TV Movie) as Koichi Asano
* ''[[The Story of Joseph and His Brethren]]'' (1961) as Potiphar
* ''[[The Young Ones (1961 film)|The Young Ones]]'' (1961) as Hamilton Black
* ''[[Go to Blazes (1962 film)|Go to Blazes]]'' (1962) as Arson Eddie
* ''[[The Road to Hong Kong]]'' (1962) as Leader of the 3rd Echelon
* ''[[The Boys (1962 British film)|The Boys]]'' (1962) as Montgomery
* ''[[Nine Hours to Rama]]'' (1963) as P.K. Mussadi
* ''[[Murder at the Gallop]]'' (1963) (opposite [[Margaret Rutherford]]) as Hector Enderby
* ''[[The Old Dark House (1963 film)|The Old Dark House]]'' (1963) as Roderick Femm
* ''[[Take Her, She's Mine]]'' (1963) as Mr. Pope-Jones
* ''[[Ladies Who Do]]'' (1963) as Colonel Whitforth
* ''[[Hot Enough for June]]'' (1964) as Colonel Cuncliffe
* ''[[Of Human Bondage (1964 film)|Of Human Bondage]]'' (1964) as Dr. Jacobs
* ''Rhythm 'n' Greens'' (1964, Short) as Narrator
* ''[[Topkapi (film)|Topkapi]]'' (1964) as Cedric Page
* ''[[Genghis Khan (1965 film)|Genghis Khan]]'' (1965) as Emperor of China
* ''[[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines]]'' (1965) as Lord Rawnsley
* ''[[A Study in Terror]]'' (1965) as [[Mycroft Holmes]]
* ''[[The Loved One (film)|The Loved One]]'' (1965) as Sir Ambrose Ambercrombie
* ''[[Life at the Top (film)|Life at the Top]]'' (1965) as Tiffield
* ''[[The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics]]'' (1965) as Narrator
* ''[[The Alphabet Murders]]'' (aka ''The ABC Murders'') (1965) as Captain [[Arthur Hastings]]
* ''Treasure Island'' (1965, Short)
* ''[[Tender Scoundrel]]'' (1966) as Lord Swift
* ''[[Hotel Paradiso (film)|Hotel Paradiso]]'' (1966) as Henri Cotte
* ''Lucy in London'' (1966, TV Movie)
* ''[[Way...Way Out]]'' (1966) as Harold Quonset
* ''[[Finders Keepers (1966 film)|Finders Keepers]]'' (1966) as Colonel Roberts
* ''[[The Trygon Factor]]'' (1966) as Hubert Hamlyn
* ''[[Woman Times Seven]]'' (1967) as Dr. Xavier - episode "Super Simone"
* ''Luther'' (1968 TV movie) as Pope Leo X
* ''[[Hot Millions]]'' (1968) as Caesar Smith
* ''[[Some Girls Do]]'' (1969) as Miss Mary
* ''[[Sinful Davey]]'' (1969) as Duke of Argyll
* ''[[Lola (1969 film)|Twinky]]'' (1969) as Judge Roxborough
* ''[[Doctor in Trouble]]'' (1970) as Captain George Spratt
* ''[[Cromwell (film)|Cromwell]]'' (1970) as The Earl of Manchester
* ''[[Song of Norway (film)|Song of Norway]]'' (1970) as Berg
* ''[[When Eight Bells Toll (1971 film)|When Eight Bells Toll]]'' (1971) as Uncle Arthur
* ''Many Moons'' (1973, Short) as Narrator
* ''[[Theatre of Blood]]'' (1973) as Meredith Merridew
* ''[[Great Expectations (1974 film)|Great Expectations]]'' (1974, TV Movie) as Uncle Pumblechook
* ''[[Hugo the Hippo]]'' (1976) as The Sultan (voice)
* ''[[The Blue Bird (1976 film)|The Blue Bird]]'' (1976) as Father Time
* ''The Fortune Hunters'' (1976, TV Movie) as Mr. Justice Bosanquet
* ''[[Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?]]'' (aka ''Too Many Chefs'') (1978) as Max Vandeveer
* ''[[The Human Factor (1979 film)|The Human Factor]]'' (1979) as Dr. Percival
* ''[[Scavenger Hunt]]'' (1979) as Charles Bernstein
* ''[[Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)|Tales of the Unexpected]]'' (1980) as Harry Knox
* ''[[Oh! Heavenly Dog]]'' (1980) as Bernie
* ''[[Loophole (1981 film)|Loophole]]'' (1981) as Godfrey
* ''[[The Great Muppet Caper]]'' (1981) as British Gentlemen
* ''[[The Deadly Game (1982 film)|The Deadly Game]]'' (1982, TV Movie) as Emile Carpeau
* ''[[High Road to China (film)|High Road to China]]'' (1983) as Bentik
* ''[[The Old Men at the Zoo]]'' (1983, BBC TV mini-series) as Lord Godmanchester
* ''[[Second Time Lucky]]'' (1984) as God
* ''[[Alice in Wonderland (1985 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]'' (1985, TV Movie) as King of Hearts
* ''[[The Wind (1986 film)|The Wind]]'' (1986, direct to video) as Elias Appleby
* ''[[The Trouble with Spies]]'' (1987) as Angus
* ''[[Little Dorrit (1987 film)|Little Dorrit]]'' (1988) as Lord Decimus Barnacle
* ''[[War and Remembrance (miniseries)|War and Remembrance]]'' (1988–1989, TV Series) as Alistair Tudsbury
* ''[[The Lady and the Highwayman]]'' (1989, TV Movie) as Lord Chancellor
* ''Istanbul'' (1989) as Atkins (final film role)
{{div col end}}

==Publications==

* ''A Musing Morley'' (1974, {{ISBN|0 340 19997 0}})
* ''Morley Marvels'' (1976, {{ISBN|0 340 22331 6}})
* ''More Morley'' (1978, {{ISBN|0 340 24763 0}})
* ''Robert Morley's Book of Bricks'' (1978, {{ISBN|0 330 25881 8}})
* ''Worry!'' (with Margaret Morley, 1979, {{ISBN|0 399 12596 5}})
* ''Robert Morley’s Book of Worries'' (U.K. Version of ''Worry!'') (with Margaret Morley, 1979, {{ISBN|0 297 77698 3}})
* ''The Pleasures of Age'' ([[Hoddder and Stoughton]]) (1988 {{ISBN| 0 340 50606 7}}) (re-published in a 'Coronet' imprint 1989)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|605923}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{Screenonline name|id=476520}}
* {{AllMovie name}}
* {{discogs artist|Robert Morley}}
* {{Find a Grave}}
* [http://www.britmovie.co.uk/actors/Robert-Morley Britmovie (Robert Morley)]

{{Distinguished Performance Award}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morley, Robert}}
[[Category:1908 births]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English people of German descent]]
[[Category:English male stage actors]]
[[Category:People educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey]]
[[Category:People educated at Wellington College, Berkshire]]
[[Category:People from Wiltshire]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:British expatriate male actors in the United States]]