LAS VEGAS, Nev., Aug. 27 -- Actor Greg Morris, best remembered for his supporting role in TV's 'Mission: Impossible' series, was found dead Tuesday in his Las Vegas area home. He was 61.
The Clark County Coroner's Office confirmed Morris had died but had not yet determined the cause of death. Morris's body reportedly was discovered by a maintenance man in his apartment complex, who told authorities Morris had complained recently about feeling sick. Morris, born Sept. 17, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio, broke into television acting through guest roles in such series as 'The Twilight Zone, 'Dr. Kildare' and 'The Dick Van Dyke Show.' His big break came in 1966 when he joined the espionage series 'Mission: Impossible' as electronics expert Barney Collier. He stayed with the show through 1973. Morris probably benefited from the success of Bill Cosby in 'I Spy' as the first black actor to carry a major TV series role, and Morris soon became one of the best known black actors in the United States. He later co-starred with Robert Urich in the detective series 'Vega$' from 1979 to 1981. His other credits included roles in 'The Love Boat' and the 'Roots' miniseries sequel. Morris's survivors include a son, Phil Morris, who also is an actor. Phil bears a close resemblence to his father and played a character on the 1988 revival of 'Mission: Impossible.'
