Jeremiah Morris, 76; Actor and Director Served as Artistic Chief of the Valley’s Actors Alley

Jeremiah Morris, an actor who appeared in Broadway plays and on popular television series for close to 40 years and directed television and theater productions, died March 5. He was 76.

Morris, who was influential in Los Angeles theater, died of colon cancer at Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, said his daughter, Jennie Morris.

As a young actor in the 1960s, Morris won small roles in Broadway plays, including a 1961 production of “Daughter of Silence,” written by Morris L. West and based on West’s novel. He also appeared in “Jennie,” a 1963 musical starring Mary Martin.

During the same years, he worked as a television actor, making guest appearances on “Naked City” and “Car 54, Where Are You?” He continued his television acting career through the 1990s, with guest roles on “Cheers,” “Mad About You” and “Frasier.”

He also directed episodes of “Barney Miller” and “Quincy,” among other series.

In his theater work, Morris focused on directing from the early 1970s on. One of his first major assignments was directing the touring production of Neil Simon’s “The Gingerbread Lady” in 1972.

In 1975 Morris moved to Los Angeles, working primarily in television until 1989, when he accepted a job as artistic director of the Actors Alley theater in the San Fernando Valley.

During his more than 10 years with the company, the eclectic program list featured works by George Bernard Shaw and Charles Dickens as well as modern plays, including Susan Sandler’s “Crossing Delancey,” which was produced in partnership with the University of Judaism.

The Actors Alley moved into the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood in 1995 and performed in a small space for several years until the main stage was renovated.

Morris left the artistic director post in 2000.

A native of New York City, Morris was first married to Laura Simon, who preceded him in death. They had one child, Jennie. He is also survived by his second wife, Kate, and a grandson.

Contributions in his name can be made to the Actors’ Fund of America, 5757 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90036.