Harry Morgan: 1915-2011

Emmy-winning character actor Harry Morgan, whose portrayal of the fatherly Col. Potter on television's "M-A-S-H" highlighted a long show-business career, is seen here June 1, 1978. The 96-year-old actor died Dec. 7, 2011.

Paul W. Bailey/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via AP Images

Harry Morgan as Officer Bill Gannon in "The LSD Story," Episode 101 of "Dragnet," 1967.

Harry Morgan poses as Officer Bill Gannon in "Dragnet," which ran from 1966-1970.

Harry Morgan as Officer Bill Gannon, Olan Soule as Ray Murray and Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday in "The Hit-and-Run Driver," Episode 112 of "Dragnet."

Harry Morgan as Officer Bill Gannon and Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday in "The Hit-and-Run Driver," Episode 112 of "Dragnet. "

Frank Carroll/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via AP Images

Harry Morgan poses as Officer Bill Gannon in "Dragnet," which ran from 1966-1970.

Fred Sabine/NBCU Photo Bank via AP Images

Harry Morgan, Jerry Lewis and Jack Webb on "The Jerry Lewis Show," which aired Sept. 9, 1967.

Paul W. Bailey/NBCU Photo Bank via AP Images

Harry Morgan as Officer Bill Gannon in "The LSD Story," Episode 101 of "Dragnet," 1967.

Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday and Harry Morgan as Officer Bill Gannon on "Dragnet."

In this 1976 handout photo, Harry Morgan poses on the set of his television show "MASH," Morgan appeared in mostly supporting roles on the big screen, playing opposite such stars as Henry Fonda, John Wayne, James Garner, Elvis Presley and Dan Aykroyd.

In this Sept. 19, 1982 photo, Actor Harry Morgan sits on the set of "M*A*S*H*" in Los Angeles. The Emmy-winning character actor's portrayal of the fatherly Col. Potter on television's "M*A*S*H" highlighted a show business career that included nine other TV series, 50 films and the Broadway stage.

The cast members of "M*A*S*H*," from left: Mike Farrell, Bill Christopher, Harry Morgan, Alda, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr and David Ogden Stiers on Jan. 24, 1882.

The cast members of "M*A*S*H*" , from left: Mike Farrell, Bill Christopher, Harry Morgan, Alda, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr and David Ogden Stiers on Jan. 24, 1882 .

Loretta Swit, Mike Farrell, David Ogden Stiers, Jamie Farr, Harry Morgan, Alan Alda and William Christopher, from left to right, as the "M*A*S*H" cast make a time capsule during taping of the show's final episode.

Harry Morgan arrives for the "M*A*S*H*" cast party at a restaurant in Los Angeles, April 2, 1989.

In this March 13, 1988 photo, Harry Morgan and his wife, Barbara, are seen arriving for the People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles. The Emmy-winning character actor died Dec. 7, 2011. He was 96.

Inc./Getty Images,Chris Martinez Online USA

"M*A*S*H" cast poses during a reunion March 6, 2000, in Los Angeles. From left are Allan Arbus, Harry Morgan, Mike Farrell, Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, William Christopher and Jamie Farr.

Actor Mike Farrell, center, is caught between a joke by his former "M*A*S*H,"cast members, Harry Morgan, left, and Alan Alda, during a reunion March 6, 2000, in Los Angeles.

Actors Loretta Swit, Harry Morgan and DPF's President Mike Farrell attend the Los Angeles chapter of "Death Penalty Focus'' 10th Annual awards banquet April 4, 2001, in Los Angeles.

Actor Harry Morgan attends the 20th Annual Golden Boot Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Aug. 10, 2002, in Beverly Hills, Calif.