Joe Morton

Joe Morton
Morton in 2019
Born
Joseph Thomas Morton Jr.

(1947-10-18) October 18, 1947 (age 79)
New York City, U.S.
EducationHofstra University
OccupationActor
Years active1970–present
Spouse
Nora Chavooshian
​
​
(m. 1985; div. 2006)​
Children3

Joseph Thomas Morton Jr. (born October 18, 1947) is an American actor. Known as a character actor for his numerous roles on stage, television and film, he has received several awards including a Primetime Emmy Award as well as a nomination for a Tony Award.

He has collaborated with film director John Sayles three times, acting in his films The Brother from Another Planet (1984), City of Hope (1991) and Lone Star (1996). Other films he has appeared in include ...And Justice for All (1979), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Of Mice and Men (1992), Speed (1994), Apt Pupil (1998), Blues Brothers 2000 (1998), What Lies Beneath (2000), Ali (2001), Paycheck (2003), Stealth (2005), American Gangster (2007), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), and Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021).

His television work includes his role as Eli Pope, Olivia Pope's father, in Scandal, for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2014, and the role of Henry Deacon on the TV series Eureka.

On stage, Morton made his Broadway debut in Two Gentlemen of Verona (1971). He received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in the musical Raisin (1973). He made his West End debut portraying Colin Powell in the David Hare play Stuff Happens (2004).

Early life and education

Morton was born in Harlem, New York City, the son of Evelyn, a secretary, and Joseph Thomas Morton Sr., a U.S. Army intelligence officer. Because of his father's military service, he spent parts of his childhood in West Germany and Okinawa. When Morton was 10 years old, his father died. Morton was raised Catholic and attended a Catholic military school for a time. He was an altar boy and considered becoming a priest. Morton graduated from Andrew Jackson High School and studied drama at Hofstra University.

Career

Morton made his Broadway debut in Hair, appeared in Salvation, and was nominated for a Tony Award for Raisin. He has appeared in over 70 films, including John Sayles' The Brother from Another Planet (as The Brother), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (as Dr. Miles Bennett Dyson) and Blues Brothers 2000 (as Cabel "Cab" Chamberlain, as the son of Curtis, played by Cab Calloway). He also played Police Lieutenant Herb "Mac" McMahon, in Speed. On daytime, Morton has had roles on Search for Tomorrow (1973–74), Another World (1983–84), and All My Children (2002). In 2002, he appeared on the London stage in the play Art.

Morton has made many notable TV guest appearances, including his appearances as Dr. Steven Hamilton in the first two seasons of Smallville. He starred in the Sanford and Son spin-off Grady (1975–76), M*A*S*H* (battalion aid surgeon Capt. Nick Saunders, 1976), Under One Roof (1995) and E-Ring (2005). He portrayed the jack-of-all-trades scientist Henry Deacon as a regular on Syfy Channel's Eureka (2006–12). Morton played the role of Eli Pope on the hit drama Scandal, a role for which he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

In 2016, Morton portrayed the activist and comedian Dick Gregory in the play Turn Me Loose at the Westside Theatre in Manhattan. Morton portrayed Dr. Silas Stone, father of Victor Stone/Cyborg, in a cameo role in the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, part of the DC Extended Universe. He reprised the character in the film Justice League (2017) and more extensively in its director's cut.

From 2018 to 2020, Morton co-starred as Reverend Arthur Finer in the CBS series God Friended Me. Morton directed three episodes of God Friended Me, and has directing credits for four other TV series.

Personal life

A few years before filming Terminator 2, Morton was injured in a car crash and suffered a punctured lung. After he demonstrated its effects on his breathing to director James Cameron, Cameron decided to integrate that into Morton's character's death scene in the movie.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1977 Between the Lines Ahmed
1979 ...And Justice for All Prison Doctor
1982 The Clairvoyant Detective Rich
1983 Curse of the Pink Panther Charlie
1984 The Brother from Another Planet The Brother
1985 Trouble in Mind Solo
1986 Crossroads Scratch's assistant
1987 Stranded Sheriff McMahon
1988 Zelly and Me Earl
The Good Mother Frank Williams
1989 Tap Nicky
1990 The Lost Platoon World War II Soldier
1991 City of Hope Wynn
Terminator 2: Judgment Day Dr. Miles Bennett Dyson
1992 Of Mice and Men Crooks
Forever Young Cameron
1994 The Inkwell Kenny Tate
Speed Lieutenant Herb "Mac" McMahon
1995 The Walking Dead Sergeant Barkley
1996 Lone Star Delmore Payne
Executive Decision Sergeant Campbell "Cappy" Matheny
1997 The Pest Mr. Kent
Speed 2: Cruise Control Captain Herb "Mac" McMahon
Trouble on the Corner Detective Bill
1998 Blues Brothers 2000 Cabel Chamberlain
Apt Pupil Dan Richler
When It Clicks Cato Caldwell Douglass Short
1999 The Astronaut's Wife Sherman Reese
2000 What Lies Beneath Dr. Drayton
Bounce Jim Weller
2001 Ali Chauncey Eskridge
2002 Dragonfly Hugh Campbell
2003 Crossing Uncle Stan Short
Paycheck Agent Dodge
2004 Breaking Dawn Professor Simon
2005 Back in the Day Rev. James Packer
Stealth Dick Marshfield
Lenny the Wonder Dog Dr. Island
2006 The Night Listener Ashe
2007 American Gangster Charlie Williams
Badland Max Astin
2008 Wherever You Are Dr. Livingston
2009 La Linea Hodges
2010 The Mulberry Tree Samuel R. Freeman
2013 Home Donald Hall
2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Silas Stone Cameo
2017 Justice League Silas Stone
2019 Godzilla: King of the Monsters Houston Brooks
A Million Eyes Fern Short
2020 Trinity's Triumph Monsignor Heck
2021 Zack Snyder's Justice League Silas Stone Director's cut of Justice League

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1970 Bracken's World Yule Buford Episode: "Love It or Leave It, Change It or Lose It"
Mission: Impossible Clerk Episode: "Hunted"
1973–1974 Search for Tomorrow Dr. James Foster Main role
1975 Sanford and Son Hal Marshall Episode: "The Family Man"
1975–1976 Grady Hal Marshall Main role
1976 M*A*S*H Captain Saunders Episode: "Der Tag"
What's Happening!! Department Store Manager Episode: "The Birthday Present"
1978 Lawman Without a Gun Louis Television film
Watch Your Mouth Raymond Geeter Main role
1979 Guiding Light Dan Stennis Episode: "Episode #1.8295"
1980 Death Penalty William Terry Television film
1981 We're Fighting Back Elgin Jones
1983 American Playhouse Carl Hatch Recurring: season 2
Another World Dr. Abel Marsh Main role
1984 A Good Sport - Television film
1985 Miami Vice Lt. Jack Davis Episode: "The Maze"
1986 Who's the Boss? Limo Driver Episode: "Mona's Limo"
1987–1989 The Equalizer Slate / Carter Brock 4 episodes
1988 Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami Tandy Television film
Alone in the Neon Jungle Ken Fraker
Police Story: Burnout Sgt. Jeff Allen
1989 A Man Called Hawk Rev. Marvin Lewis Episode: "Choice of Chance"
One Life to Live Judge Romero Episode: "Episode dated 22 May 1989"
Howard Beach: Making The Case for Murder Cedric Sandiford Television film
1990 Challenger Dr. Ronald McNair
1990–1991 Equal Justice Mike James Main role
1992 Legacy of Lies Samuel Flowers Television film
A Different World Byron Douglas III Recurring: season 5
1992, 2000–2005 Law & Order Roland Books / Leon Chiles Guest: season 3; recurring: seasons 10 & 11, 14 & 15
1993 TriBeCa Carlton Thomas Main role
1994 Homicide: Life on the Street Sam Thorn 2 episodes
New York Undercover Dean/Dinah Episode: "Blondes Have More Fun"
1995 In the Shadow of Evil Lt. Royce Television film
Under One Roof Ron Langston Main role
New York News Mitch Cotter Episode: "Fun City"
1996 Nova Narrator Episode: "Shark Attack!"
Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance Gordon Thomas Television film
1996, 2002 Touched by an Angel Jake Stone / Martin 2 episodes
1997 Prince Street Lieutenant Tom Warner Main role
Miss Evers' Boys Dr. Sam Brodus Television film
1998 Dellaventura Councilman Caulder Episode: "David & Goliath"
1998–1999 Mercy Point Dr. Grote Maxwell Main role
1999 Mutiny Thurgood Marshall Television film
Y2K Martin Lowell
2000 Ali: An American Hero Malcolm X
The X-Files Martin Wells Episode: "Redrum"
2001–2002 Smallville Steven Hamilton Recurring: season 1; guest: season 2
2002 All My Children Zeke McMillan Episode: "#1.8387"
The Practice U.S. Attorney Episode: "Fire Proof"
The Fritz Pollard Story Host Television film
2003 Jasper, Texas Walter Diggles
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Ray Bevins Episode: "Grief"
Thoughtcrimes John Harper Television film
2004 Whoopi Martin James Episode: "Sins of the Sister"
The Jury James Byron Milton Episode: "Last Rites"
2005 Gone But Not Forgotten Reggie Stewart Television film
House Senator Gary H. Wright Episode: "Role Model"
JAG Elroy Johnson Episode: "Unknown Soldier"
CSI: NY Chief Dwight Hillborne 2 episodes
2005–2006 E-Ring Steve Algazi Recurring
2006–2012 Eureka Henry Deacon Main role
2007 Numbers Reporter Episode: "Graphic"
2008 Boston Legal Attorney Steve Duprey Episode: "Indecent Proposals"
2009 Great Performances Eugene Bullard Episode: "Harlem in Montmartre: A Paris Jazz Story"
Warehouse 13 Reverend John Hill Episode: "Regrets"
Brothers & Sisters Peter Madsen 2 episodes
2009–2011 The Good Wife Daniel Golden Recurring: season 1; guest: season 3
2010 White Collar Kyle Bancroft Episode: "Prisoner's Dilemma"
2012 Coma Dr. Nelson Episode: "Part One & Two"
2013–2018 Scandal Eli Rowan Pope Recurring: seasons 2–4; main: seasons 5–7
2015 Cleveland Abduction Agent Solano Television film
Proof Dr. Charles Richmond Main role
2015–2016 Grace and Frankie Jason 2 episodes
2016 All the Way Roy Wilkins Television film
2018–2020 God Friended Me Rev. Arthur Finer Main role
2019–2020 The Politician Marcus Guest: season 1; recurring: season 2
2021 Hemingway Ralph Ellison (voice) Episode: "The Avatar (1929-1944)"
2021–2022 Our Kind of People Teddy Franklin Main role
2022 Benjamin Franklin William Bradford (voice) Episode: "An American (1775-1790)"
2025 The American Revolution Elias Dayton (voice) 3 episodes
2025–2026 Going Dutch General Davidson 11 episodes
2026 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Simon Reeger Episode: "Orders of Magnitude"
A Different World Byron Douglas III 2 episodes
Cupertino Bayard Upcoming series
TBA The Best of Us Upcoming series

Theater

Year Title Role Venue Ref.
1971 Two Gentlemen of Verona Valentine (replacement) St. James Theatre, Broadway
1973 Tricks Arlecchino Alvin Theatre, Broadway
Raisin Walter Lee Younger 46th Street Theater, Broadway
1981 Oh, Brother! Eastern Habim ANTA Theater, Broadway
1986 Honky Tonk Nights Barney Walker Biltmore Theatre, Broadway
1998 Art Serge (replacement) Royale Theatre, Broadway
2004 Stuff Happens Colin Powell National Theater, London
2016 Turn Me Loose Dick Gregory Westside Theatre
2017 Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Audio

Year Title Role Notes
2010 Invisible Man Narrator
2019 The Water Dancer Narrator
2021 Marvel's Wastelanders: Hawkeye Ringmaster
2024 Worst Case Scenario Narrator Authored by T. J. Newman

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryNominated workResult
1974Tony AwardBest Actor in a MusicalRaisinNominated
Theatre World AwardHonoree
1991Fangoria Chainsaw AwardsBest Supporting ActorTerminator 2: Judgment DayNominated
2008Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureAmerican GangsterNominated
2014Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Guest Performer in a Drama SeriesScandalNominated
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesWon
NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesWon
2015Won
2016Won
2017Nominated
2018Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle AwardsLead Performance in a PlayTurn Me LooseWon
2020Audie AwardLiterary Fiction and ClassicsThe Water DancerWon

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Joe Morton: The Line (2008)". Yovideo. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  2. ↑ Sandberg, Bryn Elise; Goldberg, Leslie (August 16, 2014). "Emmys: 'Scandal's' Joe Morton Takes Home Trophy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  3. ↑ Verel, Patrick (August 2012). "Joe Morton to Teach at Fordham". Fordham University (Press release). Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Joe Morton Biography". Yahoo Movies. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  5. ↑ Maykuth, Andrew. "The avenging actor". maykuth.com. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  6. ↑ Sheridan, Patricia (August 17, 2015). "Patricia Sheridan's Breakfast With ... Joe Morton". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  7. ↑ "The mysteries of "God Friended Me": Brandon Micheal Hall and the rest of the cast talk about the hit TV show - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. September 22, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  8. ↑ Hill, Michael E. (December 3, 1989). "JOE MORTON". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Joe Morton | Biography and Filmography | 1947". Hollywood.com. February 26, 2015. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  10. ↑ Greenberg, Ginny (August 21, 2014). "Alum Joe Morton Wins Emmy for Scandal". Hofstra University. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 "Joe Morton - IMDb". IMDb.com. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  12. 1 2 McCall, Tulis (May 31, 2016). Carboni, Monique (ed.). "Off-Broadway Theatre Review: Turn Me Loose". New York Theatre Guide. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  13. ↑ Meslow, Scott (November 16, 2017). "Justice League's Biggest Sin: Wasting Its Great Actors". GQ. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  14. ↑ Gay, Verne. "Joe Morton talks 'God Friended Me,' 'Scandal' and dropping out of Hofstra". NewsDay.com. Newsday. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  15. ↑ Rougeau, Michael (August 25, 2017). "Terminator 2's Joe Morton Shares The Story Behind His Iconic Death Scene". Gamespot. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  16. ↑ Yellin, Deena (April 27, 2023). "A NJ pastor's coming-of-age tale about young priests makes its big-screen debut Thursday". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  17. ↑ Cordero, Rosy (October 2, 2024). "Joe Morton & Catherine Tate Join Fox's 'Going Dutch'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Two Gentleman of Verona (Broadway, 1971)". Playbill. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Tricks (Broadway, 1973)". Playbill. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Raisin (Broadway, 1973)". Playbill. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Oh, Brother! (Broadway, 1981)". Playbill. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Honky Tonk Nights (Broadway, 1986)". Playbill. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Art (Broadway, 1998)". Playbill. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Joe Morton to Play Colin Powell in Hare's Stuff Happens at National Theatre". Playbill. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  25. ↑ Gans, Andrew (October 13, 2017). "Scandal's Joe Morton Plays Comedy Genius Dick Gregory in Turn Me Loose in Los Angeles". Playbill. Retrieved October 7, 2026.
  26. ↑ Carras, Christi (March 19, 2018). "'Hamilton,' 'Rotterdam' Tie for Top Award From L.A. Drama Critics". Variety. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  27. ↑ Maher, John (March 3, 2020). "A Buoyant 2020 Audie Awards Celebrates 'The Only Plane in the Sky,' Stephen King". Publishers Weekly.