Q&A - Robert Morse (Bertram Cooper)
For this AMCtv.com interview, actor Robert Morse compares acting on Broadway to playing "the Rudy Vallee CEO" on Mad Men.
Q: In the '60s, you starred on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, about working your way up the corporate ladder. How does that compare to Mad Men?
A: It's very strange. I'm the CEO now, whereas when I first did the show, I played a window washer of the office building. So I guess I realize I'm a little older now. Time and age change one -- don't do it. At that time I was in my 20s or early 30s. I'm very happy and very fortunate I'm able to go to work and have a job at my age -- one could call it the Rudy Vallee CEO part -- but it's really Robert Morse at a different juncture in his life, isn't it?
Q: If Bert Cooper is the Rudy Vallee character, who do you think would be the window washer?
A: Well it seems to me Peggy, doesn't it? She gets promoted every week -- head of this, head of that, but never deviously. You know that in How To Succeed..., [writer] Abe Burrows once told me, "Your character never really lies. He just puts himself in a good position." And I had never thought of it that way. But it's true -- he just bumps into the head of the company and asks for a job. Pete is too devious. And he hasn't moved anywhere, has he really? He almost got fired.
Q: Do you feel like you're stepping back in time with Mad Men?
A: Not really stepping back in time, but there are many values and things in the script that are reminiscent -- secretaries and typewriters, etc. -- of my days when How to Succeed... was on Broadway. So it is a reminder of things past, a little Proustian. Otherwise, it's fun wearing a goatee and a mustache and having my hair plastered down. It's fun to look completely different than you are. They write Bert Cooper very cleverly. He's an oddball. He walks around with no shoes, his office is completely decorated in early Japanese stuff. He has these fun, odd quirks.
Q: Is it true you visit the set, even on days when you're not filming?
A: That's right. Exactly. I love to go into the studio on days when I'm not even doing anything. It's like my senior club. Some people go to senior centers, well I go to my senior center. I think I'm the oldest of the group -- the only one who has lived through this period. I just love this show: I show up and hit the marks and say the lines and go home. And then show up the next day with the paper and visit with everybody and have a free lunch.
Q: What's been your favorite part about the second season thus far?
A: The second season, as far as I'm concerned, is explosive and wonderful. I'm not looking for anything really personal. I enjoy the show, coming back and seeing everybody. And that's what the second season is about. I'm very fortunate having the chance to be employed in these dire times. From my beginnings to here -- my endings so to speak -- it's very nice. I don't have many episodes to do, but I have just enough to make me happy. I'm not the leading man any more.
Q: You do own the company.
A: That's true...but I never get the girl!
If you read this, Mr. Morse, or whoever does and would possibly pass this along...
You are great on Mad Men! Love how ol' Bert keeps 'em guessing...the way he just abruptly stops the discussion and says "That's it" or says nothing and just looks up as IF to say "Well, why are you still here.....it's over!"--- like a golden-aged version of Ferris Beuller! He really knows how to be "in charge"...classic.
Love all your acting through the years. Hope they work in a dream sequence for Bert where he can sing "I Believe in You" to himself in the mirror!
Ferris Bueller? (sp?)
Burt Cooper always felt like a character that served as a delightful little catalyst to watch, lurking in the office to shake things up for the good of the rest of SC. Couldn't have been played by a more wonderful actor!
He never gets the girl! Send Joan up there.
I remember seeing you in the movie version of "How To Succeed." You were fantastic in that. Also remember seeing you in the movie "The Loved One" which was ahead of its time. You're a real legend in show business, and it's very gratifying to see you in Mad Men. Your career has certainly come full circle. My parents loved you too.
I didn't even recognize you at first and even now I have to look deeply to see who you are with the facial hair and make-up they masterfully do on the show. This is a good thing, of course. With this show and many other jobs you'll be busy for many years to come. You are fantastic! What a treat for us. And, I'll gladly be your girl.
I LOVE Mr. Cooper and because of him, rented How To Succeed In Business for the first time (loved the secretary song best). I always wait with bated breath for his (B. Coopers) arrival in a Mad Men episode because his character always has something profound to be said in the fewest words possible.
Whirly Gigs.
Brilliant Show. Brilliant Writing. Brilliant Acting. Just fking BRILLIANT!
Madison McGraw
I always love seeing seasoned Broadway veterans like Robert Morse get a chance to demonstrate their chops to a wider audience on the small screen. I remember seeing Robert Morse in "How to Succeed" on a class trip (!), and thought he was great back then. But whenever I see the likes of Frank Langella, Elaine Stritch, John Lithgow, Kevin Kline, Stockard Channing, Jerry Orbach--these folks can chew some serious scenery!
Thank you Robert Morse for adding such depth to Bert Cooper's character!
I love gap-toothed men! And I've always loved Robert Morse; I was so happy to see him on MM.
First, I must begin with "I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THIS SHOW" !!!!!!!!!......I am obsessed with MAD MEN !!!! I find myself actually thinking about this show "all the time " and about each of the characters, extensively, and I don't mean in that "soap opera" kind of way....AND YES, I DO have "a life". This truly is THE ABSOLUTE BEST SHOW ON TV !!! The rest of the fare-- (and I use even this innocuous word, generously), -- on television is NOT EVEN IN THE SAME UNIVERSE !!!!!....( ALL HYPERBOLE IS INTENDED !!!).
All this being said (Hosannas being sung with full Handel's "Messiah" effect).....I firmly believe that NEWLY ENGRAVED STONE TABLETS will be brought down from ON HIGH, stating for all whom BELIEVE:
1. MR. WIENER IS A GENIUS, AND SHOULD BE WORSHIPED AS SUCH. (this is creative television and WRITING AT IT'S BEST.....) . PERIOD.
2. Less IS MORE.....every word, phrase, and utterance takes on appropriate gravitas, because most of the time what is NOT said, (and intentionally "left out" , weighted with looks and pregnant pauses).....is much MORE important than what IS said.....and goes a long way in defining the characters and a scene....PLUS IT MAKES US, THE AUDIENCE NOT ONLY PAY CLOSE ATTENTION, BUT ACTUALLY THINK. THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING (MINE OR THE CHARACTERS !!). THOU SHALT ACTUALLY THINK IN AN INTELLIGENT, DEDUCTIVE MANNER.....AND BE REWARDED FOR SUCH (EFFORT).
3. LET THERE BE LIGHT....AND ATMOSPHERE...and MUSIC...
The lighting, set design, production design and art direction...(and of course costumes, hair & make-up) together are IMPECCABLE !!!!....MAD MEN has to be the best ART DIRECTED show I can ever remember seeing !!!) It truly compares to what I consider 2 of the best pieces of art direction / production design of all time: THE GODFATHER (parts I & II) and the Chinese movie "HERO". THOU SHALT ALWAYS WORSHIP GRAVEN IMAGES CREATED BY OUTSTANDING ARTISTS.
4. THOU SHALT COVET THY NEIGHBORS WIFE....
JANUARY JONES / BETTY.....IS THE "NEW" GRACE KELLY. How can we be this lucky ??!!! .....The CASTING DIRECTOR OF THIS SHOW IS GENIUS.
Ms. Jones is spot-on as the very complicated, if not seemingly so, "repressed", Scandinavian "ice princess". KUDOS TO HER for taking on such an (actually) very difficult role...one that obviously is slowly unfurling into a very interesting, complicated and understated character.....THE BEST KIND!!!!
5. J O N H A M M ...... "THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF".....and OH, GOD, DO I !!!!!.....NEED I SAY MORE ??? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6. YES..... JON HAMM.
7. JON HAMM.
8. JON HAMM.
9. MARILYN MONROE + JULIE NEWMAR + JANE RUSSELL + CYDE CHARISSE = CHRISTINA HENDRICKS, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN ON TELEVISION, ABSOLUTELY HANDS-DOWN. I LOVE HER, AND I'M NOT EVEN GAY !!!!!!!.....SHE HAS CAUSED ME TO HAVE A GIRL-CRUSH !!!!! (ergo...that perfect sneaky touch of making her roommate gay, and in love with her !!!...will wonders never cease!!). "THOU SHALT LANGUISH IN THE LUSHNESS OF HER MOST LUMINOUS, WOMANLY, ALMOST OTHER-WORLDLY BEAUTY" !!!! CAN I HEAR AN "AMEN" AND A "HALLELUJAH" !!!!.....As I HEAR A CHORUS RISE UP FROM THE VOICES OF MEN from around the known universe.......
10. AND FINALLY.....on to MR. MORSE......(now I am addressing you directly, I hope this will be "passed along to you as such....)....so glad to have read the interview, you deserve all of the Press and "exposure" you can get...LONG OVERDUE!! ....and I must say:
a. I think it is the ultimate "coup de grace" to have you as Mr. Cooper on the show.....considering the whole "HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING" angle.....I do love the cosmic / karmic irony of the situation.. as would the character of Mr. Cooper, of course.....nothing like irony within irony......something not often seen in the mainstream.....ask me how many people to whom I've had to explain that whole set-up!! (OK, indulge me in my bit of condescension....)....mea culpa's....
b. YOU ARE SUCH A WONDERFUL ACTOR...and it is so great to see you playing (under-playing) such a fascinating, "quirky", one of a kind, slightly eccentric character.....you pack a lot of punch in his few scenes...let's hope we get to delve into Mr. Cooper's life and "back-story" much more....and, lastly, but not at least in importance, of singing your praises:
c. I have to tell you, Mr. Morse, that the BEST THEATRE / ACTING EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD (and that includes "regional theatre", NYC / Broadway / London / West End, etc......) was seeing YOUR MASTERFUL TURN as Truman Capote in "TRU" !!!!!!! It was around (1990 / 1991 ?, I think)...during a tour in Los Angeles, (and I worked for the Nederlander Organization....which were the "bookers/ owners" of the theatre in which the play was presented)...and I was able to see your performance in "TRU"...at least about FIVE times, that I can remember !!!!!!....THAT IS HOW GREAT YOUR PERFORMANCE WAS...AND HOW MUCH I LOVED THE PLAY...AND YOU !!!!!!........
THAT was one well-deserved TONY AWARD !!!!!!!!!!!......
and I think you gave MR. P. S. Hoffman, a "run for his money" !!!!!!!!......YOU TAUGHT THE MASTER-CLASS !!!!!!......sooooo......." THOU SHALT GIVE MANY THANKS TO THE TV GODS FOR HAVING THE WISDOM TO BRING A TRULY GREAT ACTOR TO A TRULY GREAT PART"....AND TO THE (INTELLIGENT) VIEWING PUBLIC'S ATTENTION!!
"ATTENTION MUST BE PAID" ....(Willy Loman/Arthur Miller)
So, BLESS YOU, MR. MORSE AND MR. WIENER.....
MY ATTENTION WILL SURELY BE PAID.............
AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL AS IF I AM SEEING A TRULY GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL / SAGA UNFOLD BEFORE ME.......
AMEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, RebeccaBenton, you sound like me!
I agree with what you said above.
What a show!
I hope it lasts at least 10 seasons and that it has an "afterlife" like "Star Trek" and many movies will be made after the TV series is over,which, like I said above...I hope won't be for MANY seasons yet.
MAD MEN MAY YOU WIN EVERY ONE OF THOSE 16 EMMYS AND IF THERE IS ANY JUSTICE YOU WILL.
A fan of Robert's for more decades than I would like to admit. Sat 4th row center for HTSIB at age 10----I'm glad you're on the little screen....You will never age...the twinkle in the eye and the dimples are STILL 'PONTY". LOVE Mad Men...reminds me of my father's office on 43rd & Park Ave as a child...
PLEASE PLEASE know you have many many fans!
Hi Mr Morse,
I loved you in HTSIBWRT! I saw it 12 times!
My sons ran into you on a golf corse in LA and you were gracious enough to let them play along with you. You didn't have to do that and it was nice to know you are a nice man in real life! I have never forgiven my son for not getting your autograph! I watch Mad Men and never knew it was you! I will watch all of the episodes again, just to see you. Thanks for keeping active in film!
Jan
Robert Morse is on TV again? Why wasn't I informed!! I wish I could have seen you on Broadway. I have HTSIB on disc and watch it every once in a while, when I want to feel good. Saw the Loved One on TV the other day, what a treat (even though I have that on disc too, I can watch it any time I want). I have had a serious crush on you all my life!!!!! I'm so glad you're on Mad Men.
Back in the late 1970s and the 1980s I was a big time All My Children freak, Robert Morse played a sleazy character on that soap opera for a few years. I think he was an ex husband or some kind of relative of Opel Gardner, for those who are fans of All My Children or watched the show back in those days.