Joe Morton

Joe Morton: biography

He is an American actor, a stage veteran and winner of several prestigious accolades. Having more than 40 years of acting experience, he appeared on the number of works on TV, a big screen and a stage. For his work, the actor worked with many talented directors and actors and appeared in exciting movies and TV shows.

Childhood and youth

At school, Joe was an active teenager with broad fields of interest. He played the guitar and acted in school plays. He seriously dreamt of a musical career and wrote songs. As a young man, he was interested in psychology and was going to get a degree in this subject. Accidently he found himself in a drama department, got inspiration, and changed his mind.

Being a child of the army officer, he was raised in a military family and traveled a lot — part of his childhood he spent in Germany and Japan. Joe's father died when the boy was ten years old.

Joe and his mother settled in New York, where the young man received an education. He attended high school in New York and then studied drama at college.

Movie career

After graduation from the university, the young actor tried himself both on screen and at the stage. The actor made his debut appearance on Broadway, taking part in the rock musical. In 1970 he appeared on his first work on the small screen in the TV series "Mission: Impossible," seven years later Joe was offered to play a supporting role in the movie.

He is best known for his dynamic roles, primarily as the sinister father of the crisis manager of Olivia Pope in groundbreaking TV series. This work helped him to establish a new reputation of a highly respected and recognized actor. He is highly demanded in recent years and appeared on the world hit as a supporting actor. Besides, he portrayed a legendary comedian in the one-person-show in 2016.

The 72-years-old actor has got an impressive legacy. He appeared in 70 movies, including such hits as "Terminator 2 ". Besides, the actor sparklingly played many supporting roles on TV series and shows.

In the 90s, he appeared in key roles in several movies, among them "Lonestar" and "Mutiny." In the 2000s, he continued appearing in movies. From 2006 to 2012, he worked as a regular cast on TV series "Eureka." In 2018 he worked on TV series "God Friended Me." In 2019 he appeared on the other season of the TV series.

Interestingly, his work had always been highly appreciated, but not still proved with award functions. However, in 1974, he had already received a significant award, "Theatre World Award." The other highly appreciated work of Morton is his supporting role in TV series "Scandal," where he appeared on 76 episodes.

Personal life

He is the father of three children. In 1984 he married, this marriage gifted him, three kids. In 2006 he divorced. The actor said that he faced racial issues all his life. He got only black-specific roles on screen. His net worth is estimated at $4 million.

Joe has a long-term relationship with Christine Lietz.

Awards and nominations

• 1991 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards - Best Supporting Actor (nominee)
• 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards - Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (nominee)
• 2014 Critics' Choice Television Awards - Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series (nominee)
• 2015 NAACP Image Awards - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (winner)
• 2018 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards - Lead Performance in a Play (winner).

Filmography

• 1977 Between the Lines
• 1983 Curse of the Pink Panther
• 1988 The Good Mother
• 1992 Of Mice and Men
• 1996 Executive Decision
• 1999 The Astronaut's Wife
• 2007 American Gangster
• 2010 The Mulberry Tree
• 2013-2018 Scandal.