Mickey Morton was an American actor who appeared in both the Star Trek and Star Wars universes. He played a Trill fighter named Kloog in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode The Gamesters of Triskelion, and a Wookiee named Malla in The Star Wars Holiday Special. He also had roles in other TV shows and movies, such as Legends of the Superheroes, Growing Pains, and Starchaser: The Legend of Orin.
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Early Life and Career
Mickey Morton was born on March 8, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. His birth name was Marvin Edward Morton. He was a tall man, standing at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m). He started his acting career in the late 1950s, appearing in TV shows such as Peter Gunn, The Untouchables, and The Twilight Zone. He often played villains, thugs, or monsters, due to his imposing stature and deep voice.
Star Trek and Star Wars Roles
Mickey Morton was the first actor to appear in both the Star Trek and Star Wars universes. In 1968, he played a Trill fighter named Kloog in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode The Gamesters of Triskelion. He was one of the thralls, or slaves, who were forced to fight in gladiatorial games by the alien gamblers of Triskelion. He faced Captain Kirk in a battle, but was defeated and killed by him.
Ten years later, in 1978, he played a Wookiee named Malla in The Star Wars Holiday Special. He was the wife of Chewbacca, the co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon. He appeared in the segments that showed the Wookiee family celebrating Life Day, a holiday similar to Christmas. He also interacted with other Star Wars characters, such as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo.
Other Roles and Appearances
Mickey Morton had many other roles and appearances in TV shows and movies throughout his career. He played Solomon Grundy, a zombie-like supervillain, in the 1979 TV series Legends of the Superheroes. He voiced several characters in the 1985 animated movie Starchaser: The Legend of Orin, such as the Mine-Master, Man-Droid #3, and Tactical Robots. He also had guest roles in shows such as Hill Street Blues, The Fall Guy, Webster, and Silver Spoons.
Death and Legacy
Mickey Morton died on August 8, 1993, in Los Angeles, California, USA, after a brief illness. He was 66 years old. He was survived by his wife, actress Teri Morton, and his son, actor Michael Morton. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Mickey Morton is remembered by his fans and colleagues as a versatile and talented actor, who brought life and personality to his roles. He is especially known for his contributions to the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises, which have become cultural icons and have influenced generations of sci-fi fans. He is also recognized for his roles in other genres, such as comedy, drama, and animation.
