At a Glance
- Morris the alligator died at age 80 at the Colorado Gator Farm
- He starred in films like Happy Gilmore and Dr. Dolittle 2
- His acting career began after he was rescued from an illegal pet situation in 1975
- He appeared on TV shows including Coach and The Tonight Show
- He will be preserved through taxidermy to honor his legacy
Screen Legend in Scales
Morris, the famed alligator who leapt from captivity to cinematic stardom, has died of old age at the Colorado Gator Farm at the astonishing age of 80, ending a Hollywood run unlike any other.
First discovered in Los Angeles in 1975 during a raid on illegal pets, Morris’s journey from confiscated reptile to silver screen icon reads like a surreal Hollywood script. Over the years, he became a staple of both movies and TV, featured in major titles like Happy Gilmore, Dr. Dolittle 2, and Blues Brothers 2000. His unexpected charisma earned him not only screen time but a cult following.
Watch a report: Hollywood’s Favorite Alligator Dies at 80.
In addition to film, Morris had a steady presence on television, charming viewers with guest appearances on shows like Night Court and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His handlers noted his peculiar temperament—moody yet surprisingly cooperative when food was involved—which made him a quirky favorite among cast and crew.
Farewell to a Star
After retiring in 2006, Morris was relocated to the Colorado Gator Farm, where he lived out his twilight years in peace. His caretaker, Jay Young, noted that Morris had slowed down in his final days, even refusing food—an ominous sign for a reptile known to devour lettuce with abandon.
“He wasn’t lunging at us and wasn’t taking food,” said Young, adding that the alligator died of old age. “He had a happy time here, and he died of old age.”
The farm announced that Morris will be preserved through taxidermy, allowing future visitors to celebrate the gator’s unique contribution to cinematic history. For many, it’s a fitting tribute to a creature who once upstaged human co-stars.
Legacy with Bite
Among those mourning Morris was comedian and actor Adam Sandler, who recalled a particularly memorable incident on the set of Happy Gilmore. “The day you wouldn’t come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art,” Sandler wrote in tribute.
While Hollywood is no stranger to exotic animals, few have achieved the kind of enduring fame Morris enjoyed. His legacy lives on not just in celluloid, but in the hearts of those who watched, worked with, and marveled at the alligator who became a star.
As Morris is laid to rest—stuffed and on display—the film world tips its hat to a legend. A true original in a sea of lookalikes, he proved that sometimes, the wildest stars leave the deepest impressions.
