Q&A - Robert Morse (Bert Cooper)
Industry veteran Robert Morse talks about playing Sterling Cooper's senior partner, why he prefers the Japanese print to the Rothko, and how he became a big Twitter user.
Q: At Sterling Cooper, Bert plays a father figure of sorts. Is your dynamic with the cast similar?
A: Everybody treats me with such respect. They call me sir, and I say, "Oh please don't do that, call me 'Bobby.'" It's a well mannered bunch of people, but I don't think it's carried much further than that. We're all pretty equal, I don't think there's great deference. And if I end up being a father figure, it just means I move a little slower than rest!
Q: Bert is famously eccentric. Are any of his quirks at all like your own?
A: That's always in the eye of the beholder, I say. You yourself can't see it as much as other people. I think I'm pretty much down to earth, and I'm not really way, way out there. I like the normal things of life: I like the Mets, and the Celtics, and the NY Rangers. I like to watch C-Span; I love Costco.
Q: What's your preparation process?
A: There's a young lady who helps me prepare. My memorization skills aren't that great so I need help in that area. As far as everything else, I listen to the director. I'm someone who doesn't argue. I hit my marks and say the lines. I'm very fortunate to be on such a wonderful show -- and the lunch is wonderful.
Q: Unlike most of the cast, you actually lived through the sixties as an adult.
A: I'm probably the only one. I was born in 1931.
Q: How does that affect your relationship to the material?
A: It's like reliving everything. I really go back. And sometimes some of the cast say, "Did that really happen?" Or "Is that the way they dressed?" I'll say, "Oh yes." I went over to Madison Avenue quite often as a young guy, because I would do advertising or voice-overs. I would go to many of the agencies that are mentioned in the series. Little did I know!
Q: Bert drums down Pete for his ideas about integrating ads for Admiral TV. Do you have your own memories of the civil rights movement?
A: I never had that experience with a certain product being limited,
not to be approached by everybody. At the time, there were certain
restrictions, the great divide between haves and have-nots, the color
line and religious lines -- even Kennedy, because he was Catholic.
Q: Which do you prefer? The Rothko or the Japanese print?
A: I would say it would be the Japanese décor. Anything that's Japanese in the office, I love it all. I had the fortune of being in Japan for some time when I was younger. I used put a raw egg in rice because I learned to do that there.
Q: How did you get started on Twitter?
A: Rich Sommer taught me how to do it -- I noticed that several of the young men in the company were always on their iPhones. I complained to him, "Alright, I joined, and I have no friends." And he said, "You will by tonight." I guess he did something, all of a sudden, I have three or four hundred friends.
Click here to read Robert Morse's interview from Season 2 »
I enjoy Robert Morse's portrayal of Bert Cooper. It was fantastic choice to cast him, and I cannot think of anyone who would have been better at defining the nuances in the character. Some viewers have criticized Cooper's use of his knowledge of Don's true idenity (sounds like a superhero doesn't it?) to force him to sign hte contract. I think he was just trying to save what is left of the company.
Now it is possible that Bert Cooper, Don and perhaps either Hilton or Lane Pryce may attempt to take control of SC. Now that we know the company is for sale, who knows what will happen.
I just hope that MW will not allow SC to be bought by Gray and have Duck be Don's boss, but I am afraid that is what is going to happen. Why else bring back a character that most of MM fans hate as much as we hate Miss Farrell?
If it does, who knows what Don will do.
I don't mind Don being forced into a corner for awile, but I don't want to see him bested by the likes of Duck or running off with Miss Farrell.
My money is on Peggy. Picture it Sterling Cooper sold to Grey - Duck is the boss - Peggy turns the table on him (not sure how yet) and becomes the first woman CEO in 1964, not! Still it is a nice fairy tale, don't you think?
Well, "Bobby", I was born in 1937 and like you, lived through the sixties. I love your portrayal of Bert Cooper...just charming, but strong. Times have sure changed, haven't they! Stay well and continued success to you.
Does anyone else remember Robert Morse from the 1967 movie, "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"?
Brilliant casting as Bert and he is sooo good. I really enjoy watching him work and tend to think that the doddering old guy "act" is just an act on Bert's part. He's crazy like a fox. Love ya, Bobby!
Does anyone else remember Robert Morse in the Tony Award winning "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying"? Matt Weiner couldn't have cast anyone more perfect than Bobby Morse!!! For those of you who are clueless, rent the flick from Netflix or read the synopsis of the play online. They even mention it (as "How To Succeed...") in one episode of MM. C'mon people, I thought you would have already latched on to this by now!
So...what one sly reference to How To Succeed has been made in Mad Men so far?
Hint: Bryan Batt is in the scene.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying could be subtitled "Mad Men: the Musical". Get the cast album with Robert Morse. The movie soundtrack has more variable sound quality, but there's a great instrumental bossa nova track on it.
If you can't find the movie, look for a production on stage - it's done regularly by community theater companies.
Kathymarie: Excuse me but I'm afraid you are being rather presumptuous when you say "we all hate Miss Farrell". I certainly don't hate her. She is natural, loving, earthy, real, everything Betty is not. Even though Don has not told her the facts about Dick Whitman yet he is able to be himself with her. I think they are really is love. And Hurray for Love!
Trotskyaire, you misspelled my name, but that's OK.I didn't say ALLof us; I said most, and I stand by it. Everyone has his/her own opinion.
For those who enjoyed Bobby in How to Succeed, see also A Guide for the Married Man (1967) - with himself as the guide, showing Walter Matthau how to philander without getting caught. I won't spoil the ending for those who haven't seen it.
Glad that your character was at the party, Robert!
It wouldn't have been the same without you! Hopefully, we'll see more of the party on the next episode and thus, see you up close & personal!
So glad that you "lived to tell about it" re the 60's!
How fun! Thank you for your hard work! We love MM
and love you in it! Taking shoes off before entering is a kick! :)
Agree with everyone, Bobby....love your talent.
Your work as Bert adds just the right amount of spice and pizazz to all your scenes.
I also loved you in How To Succeed and Guide for the Married Man....and like AA above, loved the ending!
Keep up the great work....."I believe in you...."!!
Bert saved the duller parts of this season. Fantastic delivery of some of the more droll and ambiguous bits so far. Loving.
Newcomer here! HAD to join to post how glad I am they've done a very nice interview with "Bert" . He is one of the main reasons I love the show (of the many many reasons!)
It doesn't surprise me that he wants the cast to call him "Bobby" - he's always been more friendly than stand-offish. The three occasions I've been lucky enough to spend some time with him have been the most memorable times of my life. I'm so glad he's got a growing audience.
And if I learn how to tweet, I'll be sure to follow him!
Boohoo, only two more episodes this season.
I hope we see a lot more of Bert Cooper in the coming two episodes. I know PPL has a controling interest, but I would not count him out just yet.
I definitely remember Robert Morse from his films of the 60's, and I think it is great that MW got him to play Bert. My favorite was Guide for the Married Man.
Maybe it won't be Gray that buys SC; maybe it will be Hilton, or the partners at SC will get together with an outside investor to stage a takeover.
Just from discussions last season, we know that Bert and Alice have a lot of money, and that Roger has family money separate from the firm. We know that Don has his money squirreled away somewhere since Betty's account only has $200 in it. Maybe they can buy back control.
I'm sad to see the season coming to an end, but I won't be sad if the end of the season results in Don getting his mojo back and being the take charge guy at SC once more.
I like Don finally opening up to Betty (even though he was forced to.) I feel like Maureen Ryan who writes The Watcher column in the Chicago Tribune, when I say that the Draper's marriage actually began on Oct. 31, 1963, and it is now up to them to make a great marriage or go back to the status quo. Betty is no longer brow beaten by Don or her brother and certainly does not need Dr. Wayne or Henry to realize her potential.