Gary Morton
Gary Morton (born Morton Goldaper; December 19, 1924 – March 30, 1999) was an American stand-up comedian whose primary venues were hotels and resorts of the Borscht Belt in upstate New York. He was born in New York City, the son of Morris Goldaper and Rose Greenfeder Goldaper, and had a sister, Helen. Later, he was a producer and studio executive, in association with his second wife, Lucille Ball. Relationship with Lucille Ball. Morton married actress Susan Morrow on December 17, 1953. They separated in August 1954 and finally on July 11, 1957, the marriage was annulled in  Los Angeles. 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". They were married on November 19, 1961 at the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City. Morton signed a prenuptial agreement to stifle rumors that he was a gold digger. Morton was 13 years younger than Lucille Ball. Morton became closely involved in the management of his wife's career, from the time of their marriage in 1961  throughout the remainder of her career. During Ball's solo years as the titular head of Desilu Productions, Morton and his brother-in-law, Fred Ball, served on the studio's board of directors in various capacities. Later, Morton's effectiveness in his duties came under some scrutiny and criticism. Most notable of these denouncements came from Herbert F. Solow and Robert H. Justman, whose dealings with Morton during the production of the are documented in their 1996 book "Inside Star Trek: The Real Story". Others, including Grant Tinker, came forward with their own recollections of Morton's tenure at  Desilu. Most critics cite Morton's construction of a "European Street" — a ¾-scale replica of a European-styled business district street — as being a 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. He played a fictional borscht belt comedian Sherman Hart in "Lenny" (1974). On February 15, 1983, both Ball and Gary Morton had launched a film-and-television partnership with film studio 20th Century-Fox, whereas Fox gave Ball access to theatrical films, plays, made-for-television  movies, a 20-hour mini-series and a sitcom. Later life. In 1996, Morton married Susie McAllister. On March 30, 1999, he died of lung cancer at the age of 74 in Palm Springs, California.