Noted British character actor of Ukrainian-Jewish heritage, renowned for his remarkable ability to convincingly portray individuals from a wide range of ethnicities, including Indians, Arabs, Japanese, Mexicans, and Boers.
A graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA),Morris was a prize-winning student, having received the Forbes-Robertson and Kendal awards. His extensive stage career spanned numerous notable productions, including the Royal Exchange, Bristol Old Vic, and Royal Shakespeare Company.
Some of his most notable stage roles include Professor Godbole in "A Passage to India" (1960) and Pozzo in "Waiting for Godot" (1980). On screen, Morris specialized in playing exotic oriental characters, showcasing his impressive range in various productions.
His extensive television credits include a diverse array of characters, such as Padmasambhava in the "Abominable Snowman" chapter of Doctor Who (1963),Detective Bose in Nine Hours to Rama (1963),Beirut police chief Takla in Department S (1969),and various shady Eastern Europeans in The Avengers (1961) and The Rat Catchers (1966).
Morris is perhaps most fondly remembered for his chilling portrayal of the insidious Thomas Cromwell in the BBC's The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970),a role he meticulously researched by visiting Tudor castles and studying contemporary portraits.
