The Clark Gable Of Cats

@celticeagle (189838)

Boise, Idaho

December 8, 2019 6:04pm CST

He began his life as Lucky and was down on his luck. He ended up at the Hinsdale Humane Society in Illinois. He was adopted in 1968 and the staff members at the shelter were quick to notice his charming personality and decided to contact Bob Martwich who was a professional animal trainer. He worked for the Leo Burnett advertising agency who was quick to see a star quality and charisma about the cat. At the casting call for the 9Lives commercial, Morris jumped up on the table and walked right up to the art director, Bob Martwick, and bumped him in the head. The director said in 1995 "This is the Clark Gable of cats.'" We all know he got the role and he completed 58 commercials from 1969-1978 and became one of the most memorable advertising campaigns. Read more about Morris here:

Morris the Cat | Hinsdale Humane Society

www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org

Hinsdale Humane Society - Home of Morris the Cat It is the quintessential American success

10 people like this

10 responses

@noni1959 (13035)

• United States

9 Dec 19

I loved his commercials.

4 people like this

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

9 Dec 19

Me too.

1 person likes this

@Deepizzaguy (122105)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

9 Dec 19

To this very day whenever a cat comes to our home to have some dinner in the back yard that looks like the cat Morris, my nephew says "Morris the cat is eating a meal in the backyard." His legacy lives on today.

2 people like this

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

9 Dec 19

That's cute.

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

13 Dec 19

@Deepizzaguy ,,,,,,,does me too. Great name and character.

1 person likes this

@Deepizzaguy (122105)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

10 Dec 19

@celticeagle Just the name Morris makes me smile that his legacy lives on after he passed away.

1 person likes this

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@TiarasOceanView (70020)

• United States

22 Dec 19

The poor old cat RIP

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

23 Dec 19

Yep. He had a good life though..

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

9 Dec 19

That's awesome how he became so well known.

2 people like this

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

9 Dec 19

He had that charming personality.

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

9 Dec 19

@celticeagle Yes, he did.

1 person likes this

@db20747 (43419)

• Washington, District Of Columbia

9 Dec 19

Look at that!! He just knows he's cute!!

2 people like this

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

9 Dec 19

He sure does/is.

2 people like this

@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

7 Jan 20

@celticeagle I remember Morris. I did not recognize him when I saw the picture until you talked about him.

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

9 Jan 20

He is the common cat isn't he?

1 person likes this

@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

9 Jan 20

@celticeagle He was very famous and since I have a cat I remembered him.

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44941)

• Preston, England

10 Dec 19

Seriously cool cat

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

13 Dec 19

That's for sure.

1 person likes this

@GreatMartin (23670)

• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

9 Dec 19

I am basically a dog guy but I love watching cats!!

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

9 Dec 19

I'm a kitty person but I like dogs.

@Tampa_girl7 (54715)

• United States

9 Dec 19

He is unforgettable.

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

9 Dec 19

Yes, he is.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (222324)

• United States

9 Dec 19

What a heartwarming story. Good old Morris.

1 person likes this