George D. "Pete" Morrison (August 8, 1890 â€" February 5, 1973) was an
American silent western film actor born in Westminster, Colorado.
During his childhood he lived in Morrison, Colorado (named for his
grandfather George Morrison) and Idaho Springs, and got his early
tastes of horsemanship riding with his father Thomas during the
summer. They drove cattle and sheep from the summer ranges in Middle
Park and Fall River in Colorado to supply beef and mutton to the
mining camps of Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Nevadaville, Black Hawk and
Central City. During his mid-teens Pete worked in the mining industry,
with his older brothers driving in sections of the Argo Tunnel where
Pete was a motorman, hoist operator, topside helper, teamster hauler,
assisting several of the larger miners in the Idaho Springs area. In
the summer of 1910 Pete Morrison was an engine fireman for the
Colorado and Southern Railway when he was lured away by the early
western movies. Pete began working as a stunt man for the Essanay
Studios of Broncho Billy films, soon discovering he could make more
money working in movies in two weeks than he could make working for a
month on the railroad. Pete followed his older brother Chick Morrison
to California, where he also became a star in early western pictures.
Through his career, Morrison transcended from very early film in 1909
to sound in 1935 starring in some 132 pictures.Pete Morrison began
work with the American Film Manufacturing Company, but soon was signed
by Universal Studios and appeared in western serials and short films.
Over time Morrison worked with many of the famous actors of his time,
including Tom Mix, Wallace, Noah Beery and John Barry. He starred with
Charlotte Burton in films such as The Bruiser in 1916. He took some
time away from movies to travel the country in a Wild West Show, then
returned and did numerous Westerns for Triangle and Universal. He
agreed to make a series of pictures in Central and South America, but
eventually returned to Universal. With the arrival of sound pictures,
his career declined somewhat and he went into supporting roles in
movies, then retired in 1935, aged 45. He appeared inScarface,
Cleopatra, and The Big Trail where he met a young newcomer who
happened to share his last name, Marion "Duke" Morrison, and reputedly
taught the rising star Morrison some of his moves. The younger
Morrison later gained fame as John Wayne.In 1935 Pete Morrison retired
and settled on his ranch near Golden, Colorado which he had purchased
in 1926. There he lived with his family including wife Lillian (née
Knapp) whom he married in 1912, and sons Clifford E. and Douglas K.
Morrison. Pete became a deputy sheriff of Jefferson County, Colorado
in 1936, and remained so for 37 years. He was also a member of the
Golden Masonic Lodge, the Genesee Group and Jefferson County Sheriff's
Posse. He ranched and farmed along with several outside jobs until his
final retirement in the early 1960s. Pete Morrison died in Los
Angeles, California on February 5, 1973, of an abdominal aneurysm at
the age of 82. He is buried in the Golden Cemetery, along with other
members of his family.The Pete Morrison Collection of his movie career
paraphernalia now resides at the Golden Landmarks Association in
Golden, Colorado. Pete's career is featured in a historic mural near
Bear Creek Avenue in Morrison, Colorado, as well as in a book about
Essanay Studios.
American silent western film actor born in Westminster, Colorado.
During his childhood he lived in Morrison, Colorado (named for his
grandfather George Morrison) and Idaho Springs, and got his early
tastes of horsemanship riding with his father Thomas during the
summer. They drove cattle and sheep from the summer ranges in Middle
Park and Fall River in Colorado to supply beef and mutton to the
mining camps of Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Nevadaville, Black Hawk and
Central City. During his mid-teens Pete worked in the mining industry,
with his older brothers driving in sections of the Argo Tunnel where
Pete was a motorman, hoist operator, topside helper, teamster hauler,
assisting several of the larger miners in the Idaho Springs area. In
the summer of 1910 Pete Morrison was an engine fireman for the
Colorado and Southern Railway when he was lured away by the early
western movies. Pete began working as a stunt man for the Essanay
Studios of Broncho Billy films, soon discovering he could make more
money working in movies in two weeks than he could make working for a
month on the railroad. Pete followed his older brother Chick Morrison
to California, where he also became a star in early western pictures.
Through his career, Morrison transcended from very early film in 1909
to sound in 1935 starring in some 132 pictures.Pete Morrison began
work with the American Film Manufacturing Company, but soon was signed
by Universal Studios and appeared in western serials and short films.
Over time Morrison worked with many of the famous actors of his time,
including Tom Mix, Wallace, Noah Beery and John Barry. He starred with
Charlotte Burton in films such as The Bruiser in 1916. He took some
time away from movies to travel the country in a Wild West Show, then
returned and did numerous Westerns for Triangle and Universal. He
agreed to make a series of pictures in Central and South America, but
eventually returned to Universal. With the arrival of sound pictures,
his career declined somewhat and he went into supporting roles in
movies, then retired in 1935, aged 45. He appeared inScarface,
Cleopatra, and The Big Trail where he met a young newcomer who
happened to share his last name, Marion "Duke" Morrison, and reputedly
taught the rising star Morrison some of his moves. The younger
Morrison later gained fame as John Wayne.In 1935 Pete Morrison retired
and settled on his ranch near Golden, Colorado which he had purchased
in 1926. There he lived with his family including wife Lillian (née
Knapp) whom he married in 1912, and sons Clifford E. and Douglas K.
Morrison. Pete became a deputy sheriff of Jefferson County, Colorado
in 1936, and remained so for 37 years. He was also a member of the
Golden Masonic Lodge, the Genesee Group and Jefferson County Sheriff's
Posse. He ranched and farmed along with several outside jobs until his
final retirement in the early 1960s. Pete Morrison died in Los
Angeles, California on February 5, 1973, of an abdominal aneurysm at
the age of 82. He is buried in the Golden Cemetery, along with other
members of his family.The Pete Morrison Collection of his movie career
paraphernalia now resides at the Golden Landmarks Association in
Golden, Colorado. Pete's career is featured in a historic mural near
Bear Creek Avenue in Morrison, Colorado, as well as in a book about
Essanay Studios.
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