Jaye P. Morgan, the powerhouse singer who later became famous for her outrageous jokes and anything-goes attitude on “The Gong Show,” has died. She was 94.
Morgan died of natural causes on Monday, Aug. 24, her family announced.
The longtime entertainer had been living in Longview, Washington, with her nephew Duke Morgan Spencer and niece Peggy Sue Spencer. She previously spent many years in California’s San Fernando Valley.
For millions of Americans who watched television in the 1970s, Morgan was unforgettable.
As one of the celebrity judges on Chuck Barris’ wonderfully bizarre “The Gong Show,” she became known for her quick wit, racy double entendres and willingness to say or do just about anything on camera.
But Morgan’s career started long before she was judging some of the strangest acts ever seen on television.
Born Mary Margaret Morgan on Dec. 3, 1931, in Mancos, Colorado, she picked up the nickname Jaye P. Morgan from high school classmates, a playful reference to banking tycoon J.P. Morgan.
She was introduced to show business at a young age and appeared with her family in a vaudeville act featured in the 1935 movie “Stars Over Broadway.”
As a teenager, Morgan performed around Los Angeles with Western Swing musician Hank Penny. She later became the lead female vocalist for the Frank DeVol Orchestra from 1950 to 1953.
During those years, she recorded songs including “Just a Gigolo” and “Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries.”
Morgan soon became a star in her own right, scoring hits including “That’s All I Want from You,” “The Longest Walk,” “Danger! Heartbreak Ahead,” “If You Don’t Want My Love” and “Pepper-Hot Baby.”
Television came calling in a big way in the 1950s.
Morgan became a regular on CBS’ “The Robert Q. Lewis Show” in 1955 before landing her own variety program, “The Jaye P. Morgan Show,” the following year.
She went on to appear alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment on shows including “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Perry Como Show,” “The Jackie Gleason Show,” “The Steve Allen Show” and “The Dinah Shore Show.”
By the 1970s, Morgan had reinvented herself yet again.
Her funny, candid appearances on programs hosted by Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin and Dinah Shore introduced her to another generation of viewers.
She also popped up on “The Muppet Show,” “The Love Boat,” “Lucas Tanner” and other popular programs.
Fans of “The Odd Couple” may remember her memorable 1973 appearance as herself, when Tony Randall’s Felix Unger wrote the painfully cheerful song “Happy and Peppy and Bursting With Love.”
Instead of performing it as Felix intended, Morgan transformed the tune into a slow, sultry jazz number — leaving the famously uptight character horrified.
She also sang the theme song for the 1975 NBC sitcom “Fay,” starring Lee Grant.
Then came the role that would permanently cement Morgan in television history.
From 1976 to 1978, she served as one of the regular celebrity judges on “The Gong Show,” where contestants performed everything from legitimate musical numbers to deliberately ridiculous acts.
Morgan was a perfect fit for the chaotic program.
Her brazen humor became so popular that Barris brought her onto several of his other projects, including “The Chuck Barris Rah Rah Show,” “The $1.98 Beauty Show” and 1980’s “The Gong Show Movie.”
That film even included footage connected to one of Morgan’s most notorious television moments, when she famously exposed her breasts during a taping of “The Gong Show.”
Decades later, she returned to the Barris universe by playing herself in George Clooney’s 2002 movie “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.”
Morgan also had an extensive stage career, appearing in productions of “Sugar Babies,” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Guys & Dolls,” “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” “The Pajama Game,” “Miss Margarida’s Way” and “Nunsense.”
Her movie credits included 1973’s “The All-American Boy,” starring Jon Voight, and the 1984 comedy “Night Patrol” with Linda Blair and Pat Paulsen.
Morgan was married three times. Her marriage to musician Art Kane produced an adopted son, Paul Kane, who died before her.
She is survived by nephew Duke Morgan Spencer, niece Peggy Sue Spencer and numerous other nieces, nephews and grandchildren of her siblings.
Longtime friend and attorney Mark Sendroff said there will be no public memorial service, in keeping with Morgan’s wishes.
Her family plans to remember the one-of-a-kind entertainer privately.
