Steven Gilborn (Harold Morgan) Dies at 72 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-07-2009, 09:26 PM

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Steven Gilborn, stage, film and television actor who played the father of Ellen DeGeneres' character on "Ellen," died of cancer in North Chatham, N.Y., on Jan. 2. He was 72.
Gilborn also played the math teacher on "The Wonder Years" and appeared on TV shows including "Damages," "The Bernie Mac Show," "NYPD Blue," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "The West Wing," "The Practice," "L.A. Law," "Columbo" and "Law & Order."

His film credits include "Nurse Betty" "Doctor Doolittle," "The Brady Bunch Movie" and "The Late Shift." For many years, Gilborn was also active in the Interact Theatre Company in Los Angeles.

Born in New Rochelle, N.Y., Gilborn graduated Swarthmore College and earned a Ph.D. in dramatic literature and humanities from Stanford. During the 1960s, he taught at UC Berkeley, MIT and Columbia, leaving academic life to become an actor in 1970.

The deep-voiced actor played a wide range of British and American characters including Prospero in "The Tempest" and Benedick in "Much Ado About Nothing" at The Folger Theater in Washington, D.C.

Among his other stage roles were in Wendy Wasserstein's "Isn't It Romantic" at Playwrights Horizons in New York City, "Awake and Sing" at the McCarter Theater at Princeton and at the Harvard's Loeb Theater. He also appeared onstage in "The Time of Your Life," "Another Part of the Forest," "Talley's Folley" and "The Cocktail Hour."

Gilborn is survived by his wife of 42 years, photographer Karen Halverson, two daughters and four grandchildren.

A memorial for Gilborn will be held at the Spencertown Academy in Spencertown, N.Y. on February 7.

catlover79 · 01-07-2009, 09:47 PM

TripperFan · 01-07-2009, 09:47 PM

Aww that's sad news. I always liked him. As Ellen's dad, but especially in his role as Kevin's math teacher. I cry everytime I see that ep and now I really will be moved whenever I see it.

Rest in Peace.

Adamantium · 01-07-2009, 11:39 PM

This is sad news. "Ellen" is one of my all-time favorite shows, and I enjoyed Mr. Gilborn's performance as Ellen's dad. He was such a great character.

Also, he was in an episode of my favorite show, "NewsRadio". He played an older News Director, Marty "The Party" Jackson.

I'm gonna pick some episodes of "Ellen" as well as that "NewsRadio" episode and have a tribute marathon to him tomorrow. I may include that "Buffy" episode, but I have to figure out which one it was, because I don't remember.

Rest in Peace, Steven Gilborn.

catlover79 · 01-08-2009, 12:13 AM

^ The "Buffy" episode in question is "Hell's Bells", from Season 6.

Adamantium · 01-08-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

^ The "Buffy" episode in question is "Hell's Bells", from Season 6.

Okay, thanks. I don't think I'll watch that episode, lol. I may instead watch the "Hearts Afire" episode with him and maybe (another John Ritter show) the episode of "8 Simple Rules" where he guest starred.

This is sad.

catlover79 · 01-08-2009, 12:27 AM

^ Glad I could help.

Scoobiedoo30 · 01-08-2009, 01:45 AM

Rest in Peace

Chocolate Moose · 01-08-2009, 11:08 AM

Oh....i really liked him.

Brian Damage · 01-08-2009, 12:05 PM

Will and Grace Fanatic · 01-17-2009, 08:20 PM

oh that's so sad, i loved him on Ellen.

01-07-2009, 09:26 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Steven Gilborn (Harold Morgan) Dies at 72 Link Steven Gilborn, stage, film and television actor who played the father of Ellen DeGeneres' character on "Ellen," died of cancer in North Chatham, N.Y., on Jan. 2. He was 72. Gilborn also played the math teacher on "The Wonder Years" and appeared on TV shows including "Damages," "The Bernie Mac Show," "NYPD Blue," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "The West Wing," "The Practice," "L.A. Law," "Columbo" and "Law & Order." His film credits include "Nurse Betty" "Doctor Doolittle," "The Brady Bunch Movie" and "The Late Shift." For many years, Gilborn was also active in the Interact Theatre Company in Los Angeles. Born in New Rochelle, N.Y., Gilborn graduated Swarthmore College and earned a Ph.D. in dramatic literature and humanities from Stanford. During the 1960s, he taught at UC Berkeley, MIT and Columbia, leaving academic life to become an actor in 1970. The deep-voiced actor played a wide range of British and American characters including Prospero in "The Tempest" and Benedick in "Much Ado About Nothing" at The Folger Theater in Washington, D.C. Among his other stage roles were in Wendy Wasserstein's "Isn't It Romantic" at Playwrights Horizons in New York City, "Awake and Sing" at the McCarter Theater at Princeton and at the Harvard's Loeb Theater. He also appeared onstage in "The Time of Your Life," "Another Part of the Forest," "Talley's Folley" and "The Cocktail Hour." Gilborn is survived by his wife of 42 years, photographer Karen Halverson, two daughters and four grandchildren. A memorial for Gilborn will be held at the Spencertown Academy in Spencertown, N.Y. on February 7.

01-07-2009, 09:47 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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01-07-2009, 09:47 PM	#3
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,087	Aww that's sad news. I always liked him. As Ellen's dad, but especially in his role as Kevin's math teacher. I cry everytime I see that ep and now I really will be moved whenever I see it. Rest in Peace.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

01-08-2009, 01:45 AM	#8
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Rest in Peace
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01-08-2009, 11:08 AM	#9
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,881	Oh....i really liked him.
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01-07-2009, 11:39 PM	#4
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	This is sad news. "Ellen" is one of my all-time favorite shows, and I enjoyed Mr. Gilborn's performance as Ellen's dad. He was such a great character. Also, he was in an episode of my favorite show, "NewsRadio". He played an older News Director, Marty "The Party" Jackson. I'm gonna pick some episodes of "Ellen" as well as that "NewsRadio" episode and have a tribute marathon to him tomorrow. I may include that "Buffy" episode, but I have to figure out which one it was, because I don't remember. Rest in Peace, Steven Gilborn.

01-08-2009, 12:13 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	^ The "Buffy" episode in question is "Hell's Bells", from Season 6.

01-08-2009, 12:27 AM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	^ Glad I could help.

01-08-2009, 12:05 PM	#10
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108
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01-17-2009, 08:20 PM	#11
Will and Grace Fanatic be happy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 15, 2002 Location: seattle, washington Posts: 2,746	oh that's so sad, i loved him on Ellen.
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