After a turn as a clemency lawyer reinvestigating a double-murder committed by a death row inmate (Sharon Stone) in "Last Dance" (1996), Morrow played the brother of a neurotic, self-obsessed writer (Albert Brooks) unable to sustain a lasting relationship with women in the entertaining "Mother" (1996). Though the lion's share of acclaim went to Fiennes and Turturro, Morrow was nonetheless a standout. He played idealistic Congressional lawyer Dick Goodwin, who launched an investigation after a past contestant, Herbert Stempel (John Turturro), claimed to have participated in the rigging of the show in order to prop-up the all-American intellectual, Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes). Despite the limited exposure in later seasons, Morrow stayed aboard until the show ended.While still appearing on "Northern Exposure," Morrow returned to features with a strong supporting performance in Robert Redford's critically acclaimed "Quiz Show" (1994), which explored to great effect the quiz show scandal in the 1950s involving the popular "Twenty One" (NBC, 1956-58). But as the series progressed, a number of supporting characters were developed more deeply, mainly brought about by Morrow and his representatives looking for a better contract, which led to his character's prominence being reduced. Thanks to the show's cult popularity and numerous award nominations, Morrow became a television star overnight. There, his character struggles to co-exist with his quirky new community, while entering into a love-hate relationship with rugged brush pilot Maggie O'Connell (Janine Turner). But it was around this time that Morrow auditioned for a surreal character-driven drama called "Northern Exposure" (CBS, 1990-95), which cast him as Joel Fleischman, a Jewish doctor from New York City, who relocates to a remote Alaskan town right out of medical school. After guest starring on "Fame" (NBC, 1982-87) and "Spencer for Hire" (ABC, 1985-88), Morrow made his debut as a regular on the short-lived drama series, "Tattingers" (NBC, 1988), playing a bartender at a posh Manhattan restaurant owned by a divorced couple (Stephen Collins and Blythe Danner) who nonetheless remain business partners. In 1986, he co-founded the theater group "The Naked Angels" with actress and then-girlfriend, Leslie Urdang, performing some 35-odd stage productions over the years, including "The Return of Pinocchio" (1986), "Aven'U Boys" (1989) and Jon Rabin Baitz's "The Substance of Fire" (1990). Moving to Manhattan, Morrow studied acting with coach Melodie Sommers at HB Studio before making his professional stage debut in the gay-themed off-Broadway musical, "Ragged Dick." He moved on to several Broadway and off-Broadway productions like "Soulful Scream of a Chosen Son," "The Boys of Winter," "Slam" and a leading role in Chaim Potok's musical adaptation of "The Chosen." But it was while working as an assistant on the hit musical "Dreamgirls" (1983) that Morrow received his first break from director Michael Bennett, who later cast him in a major role for the play "Third Street" at the Circle Repertory Theater.Making the big jump from stage to screen, Morrow had his film debut in the forgettable comedy "Private Resort" (1985), starring Johnny Depp. As a creative outlet, Morrow began pursuing a professional acting career after dropping out of Edgemont High School during his senior year, though he later earned his Graduate Equivalency Diploma and briefly attended college. His parents divorced when he was only 9 years old. Morrow was raised in New Rochelle, NY by his father, Murray, an industrial lighting manufacturer, and his mother, Diane, a dental hygienist.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |