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Morris
At last, the intimate biography of one of today's most famous TV personalities— the feline superstar, Morris.
In this authorized biography (after the initial disappointment of not having Norman Mailer as co-author), Morris fully cooperates with Mary Daniels and discusses those details of his life he has been so reluctant to reveal in the past. Here is the truth about his discovery—only twenty minutes before he was to be put into his next life in a Chicago animal shelter, the facts behind the scandals that clouded Morris' pre-acting days, the circumstances his 9-Lives triumphs, his inevitable movie career and his non- finicky love life (including the never- before-published facts of his relationship with Ethel, the white Persian).
Here, too, are the behind-the-scenes views of his home life, his candid opinions of the human world, his taste in female felines, his political aspirations, and much more.
And perhaps most valuable of all are Morris' tips to superstardom, his simple abc's of catclom—such as how to make the most dramatic entrances, where to pose for optimum advantage, and how to train your human to understand your subtle moods.
Complete with over 25 black-and-white photos and one nude color centerfold, here is Morris at home, on tour, on stage, everywhere. And his message: Every cat is a star.
In this authorized biography (after the initial disappointment of not having Norman Mailer as co-author), Morris fully cooperates with Mary Daniels and discusses those details of his life he has been so reluctant to reveal in the past. Here is the truth about his discovery—only twenty minutes before he was to be put into his next life in a Chicago animal shelter, the facts behind the scandals that clouded Morris' pre-acting days, the circumstances his 9-Lives triumphs, his inevitable movie career and his non- finicky love life (including the never- before-published facts of his relationship with Ethel, the white Persian).
Here, too, are the behind-the-scenes views of his home life, his candid opinions of the human world, his taste in female felines, his political aspirations, and much more.
And perhaps most valuable of all are Morris' tips to superstardom, his simple abc's of catclom—such as how to make the most dramatic entrances, where to pose for optimum advantage, and how to train your human to understand your subtle moods.
Complete with over 25 black-and-white photos and one nude color centerfold, here is Morris at home, on tour, on stage, everywhere. And his message: Every cat is a star.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1976
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 17, 2019
This is a cute little book about the famous T. V. star – Morris of the cat food commercials. Written as a “biography” with lots of quotes from Morris himself. There are several black and white photographs of the star, some with fellow celebrities such as Burt Reynolds and Betty White.
March 13, 2025
What. A. Star.
Morris was such a hit he even co-starred with Burt Reynolds and Dyan Cannon!
Honestly a truly thrilling read about this street cats rise to fame from the eleventh hour at a shelter to glamorous limo rides and full dinner service at fancy hotels.
Filled with shocking love letters, Morris’ political campaign for president, and some sneak peeks behind the camera, this biography covers it all. But in typical Morris fashion, he always leaves a bit of intrigue. After all, he is an actor.
10/10 recommend, you’ll never find another biography like this!
Morris was such a hit he even co-starred with Burt Reynolds and Dyan Cannon!
Honestly a truly thrilling read about this street cats rise to fame from the eleventh hour at a shelter to glamorous limo rides and full dinner service at fancy hotels.
Filled with shocking love letters, Morris’ political campaign for president, and some sneak peeks behind the camera, this biography covers it all. But in typical Morris fashion, he always leaves a bit of intrigue. After all, he is an actor.
10/10 recommend, you’ll never find another biography like this!
September 21, 2023
This book was so interesting and goofy. I loved reading this biography of a cat, and learning about pet advertising in the 70s. Also the publishing details of this book had me intrigued as an editor. Small almost magazine-like books like this seem like such a novelty of the 20th century.
It was also pretty funny.
It was also pretty funny.
September 16, 2010
I read this one ages ago and if I point out its about Morris the Cat who use to do the 9 Lives Cat Food commercials then I'm probably dating myself. He played a finicky cat who would only eat 9 Lives Brand Cat Food but he was sort of a live version of Garfield and became somewhat of a cult phenomenon. Add to that he's a "rescue kitty" from via the Humane Society and you get another plus in his favor. The book has a copyright date of 1975 and he was between 10 and 11 at the time. I vaguely remember hearing of his passing a number of years after that.
Not only did Morris do commercials but he also appeared in at least one movie (Shamus), his "co-star" was Burt Reynolds. I don't recall ever having seen the movie though. He also made guest appearances on a few talk shows and although I don't recall seeing any of them based on the description in the book I picture his interview being something akin to the one's Kermit the Frog does.
I remember a few other commercials that were on TV around the same time as Morris' 9 Lives one. The one that really sticks out in my mind is the one for Chuck Wagon Brand Dog Food. A chuck wagon like that used in the wild west on cattle drives would come tearing across the floor and a little puppy that looked huge would chasing it ending up at his bowl the wagon having disappeared I think in to the bag of food. Commercials aren't what they use to be that's for sure. I miss old commercials. The pet food industry does a good job like the one where the cat gets the dog in trouble and the more recent Meow Mix ones where the cat does things such as play the piano but only when the human is not in the room. It seems like I've heard other trainers\owners of "animal actors" say the animals they use were rescued in some way. It would be interesting to know why those animals make the best "actors" but the important thing is they lived and not only make their owner happy but us as well.
This book is a short read (only just over 78 pages plus pictures).
Not only did Morris do commercials but he also appeared in at least one movie (Shamus), his "co-star" was Burt Reynolds. I don't recall ever having seen the movie though. He also made guest appearances on a few talk shows and although I don't recall seeing any of them based on the description in the book I picture his interview being something akin to the one's Kermit the Frog does.
I remember a few other commercials that were on TV around the same time as Morris' 9 Lives one. The one that really sticks out in my mind is the one for Chuck Wagon Brand Dog Food. A chuck wagon like that used in the wild west on cattle drives would come tearing across the floor and a little puppy that looked huge would chasing it ending up at his bowl the wagon having disappeared I think in to the bag of food. Commercials aren't what they use to be that's for sure. I miss old commercials. The pet food industry does a good job like the one where the cat gets the dog in trouble and the more recent Meow Mix ones where the cat does things such as play the piano but only when the human is not in the room. It seems like I've heard other trainers\owners of "animal actors" say the animals they use were rescued in some way. It would be interesting to know why those animals make the best "actors" but the important thing is they lived and not only make their owner happy but us as well.
This book is a short read (only just over 78 pages plus pictures).
August 22, 2016
Really cute. Brought back some childhood memories
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews