Richard Morris (actor)

Richard Morris (January 30, 1862 – October 11, 1924) was an American opera singer, stage performer, and silent film actor.

Being the eldest son in an Irish Catholic household, he was given his father's name, continuing a long-held tradition observed by generations prior.

Upon his return to America, he showcased his talent as an opera singer, performing for audiences in domestic venues during the 1880s.

[5] According to the 1900 census, William RS Morris, 36 years old, lived at the same address as his widowed father and five sisters.

[7] Early in his stage career, Morris worked in Shakespearean touring companies, e.g., Lawrence Barrett (1838-1891).

In 1889, William Morris was 27 when he started acting with the renowned Shakespearean touring company of Edwin Booth (1833-1893) and Helena Modjeska (1840-1909).

Morris eventually connected with Shakespearean actress Minna Gale (1868-1944) and her Repertory theatre.

Morris made his movie debut, playing an organ grinder in the Lubin-produced film Little Boy Blue released on May 6, 1912.

[3] After making more than a thousand motion pictures, the Lubin Manufacturing Company declared bankruptcy on September 1, 1916 In late Summer 1914, Morris traveled once again to London, England.

The ship's manifest lists William R Stuart Morris, born in Charlestown on January 30, 1862.

[12] Between January and August 1915, Morris returned to making movies and acted in 4 films for various organizations, including Powers Picture Plays and Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play In 1915, Morris signed a contract with Selig Polyscope based in Chicago, Illinois but having offices in Los Angeles.

Richard Morris signed a Universal contract in 1916 and permanently moved to Los Angeles, California.

Morris reunited with Lloyd B. Carleton again and acted in the Red Feather feature-length production of A Yoke of Gold released on August 14, 1916.

In 1921, Hobart Bosworth productions invited Morris to play the part of Uncle Billy in The Sea Lion.

Richard Morris would continue to appear in FBO productions directed by Emory Johnson including The Third Alarm, The West~Bound Limited, The Mailman and The Spirit of the USA until his untimely death in October 1924.

A simple obituary appeared in the Los Angeles Times on October 13, 1924: MORRIS, Richard Stewart Morris, aged 63 years, a native of Boston, MASS.Services at 2 pm Tuesday at Le Roy Bagley's parlors, 5440 Hollywood Blvd., Rev.

That same year, Rev Dodd would become a founding member of a relief fund to aid film workers in need.

[15] A brief obituary would appear in The Boston Globe noting the death of William Richard Stuart Morris.

Edwin Booth and
Helena Modjeska 1890
Lubin Manufacturing Company
1914
Selig-Polyscope
1915
Universal logo
Film Booking Offices
1926