Morton Howard was the only son of Shemp Howard, one of the original members of the comedy group The Three Stooges. He was also a successful entrepreneur who founded the first self-serve gas station chain in Los Angeles. But his life was cut short by a deadly disease that he contracted during the winter of 1919-1920. Here is the story of Morton Howard’s cause of death and how he left behind a legacy of innovation and humor.
Early Life and Career
Morton Howard was born as Morton Horwitz on February 26, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the only child of Shemp Howard and Gertrude Babe Frank, who married in 1925. Shemp was already a famous comedian who had started his career with his brother Moe Howard and Larry Fine as The Three Stooges. Morton grew up surrounded by laughter and entertainment, and he inherited his father’s wit and charm.
Morton was a brilliant student who graduated high school at 15 and went on to attend UCLA. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. After the war, he moved to Hollywood to pursue his own career in show business. He worked as a writer, producer, and director for various radio and television shows, such as The Jack Benny Program, The Red Skelton Show, and The Steve Allen Show. He also appeared as an actor in some films and TV shows, such as Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and The Lucy Show.
Marriage and Business Ventures
On February 18, 1951, Morton married Geraldyn Mankoff, a former model and actress who had appeared in films such as The Big Sleep and The Lady from Shanghai. They had two daughters, Jill and Sandie, who were born in 1953 and 1956 respectively. Morton was a devoted husband and father who loved his family dearly.
Morton was also a visionary entrepreneur who saw the potential of new technologies and markets. In 1958, he founded the Ce-How chain of service stations, which was the first to offer self-serve gas pumps in Los Angeles. The stations had 18 locations across the city and featured “Change Girls” on roller skates who would collect money from customers and give them change. The stations were popular for their convenience, low prices, and novelty.
Morton also invested in other businesses, such as real estate, restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs. He was known for his generosity and philanthropy, as he supported various causes and charities. He was also a friend of many celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Sammy Davis Jr.
Illness and Death
Morton’s life seemed to be perfect until he became ill during the winter of 1919-1920. He caught a cold that developed into bronchitis, which then turned into pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs and fills them with fluid or pus. It can cause symptoms such as coughing, fever, chills, chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. It can also lead to complications such as sepsis, respiratory failure, or organ damage.
Morton’s condition worsened as he struggled to breathe and fight off the infection. He was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he received treatment and care from doctors and nurses. His family and friends visited him regularly and prayed for his recovery. But despite their efforts, Morton’s pneumonia proved to be fatal. He died on January 13, 1972, at the age of 44.
Morton’s death was a shock and a tragedy for his loved ones and fans. His funeral was held at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, where he was buried next to his father Shemp Howard, who had died from a heart attack in 1955. Many celebrities attended his funeral to pay their respects and honor his memory.
Legacy
Morton Howard left behind a legacy of innovation and humor that lives on through his family, friends, business ventures, and entertainment works. He was a pioneer who revolutionized the gas station industry with his self-serve concept. He was also a talented writer, producer, director, and actor who contributed to some of the most popular radio and TV shows of his time. He was also a loving husband and father who cherished his wife and daughters.
Morton Howard’s cause of death was pneumonia, but his life was full of joy and laughter. He was the son of a stooge who became a star in his own right. He was a man who made history with his creativity and generosity. He was a legend who will never be forgotten.
