- Born Name: Henry Lerner Van Ost
- Birthday: 1915-03-31 (Year-Month-Day)
- Website:
- Spouse(s): Karen Sorensen, (1978-1994)
- Children:
- Medium: Comedian
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Henry Morgan (comedian), This article is about the radio comedian. For the pirate, see Henry Morgan. For the rum brand, see Captain Morgan.Not to be confused with Harry Morgan.Henry Morgan (March 31, 1915 – May 19, 1994) was an American humorist. He is remembered best in two modern media: radio, on which he first became familiar as a barbed but often self-deprecating satirist, and on television, where he was a regular and cantankerous panelist for the game show Ive Got a Secret. Morgan was born Henry Lerner Van Ost, Jr. in New York City; he was a second cousin of Broadway lyricist/librettist Alan Jay Lerner.[edit] RadioHis radio career began as a page at New York station WMCA in 1932, after which he held a number of obscure radio jobs, including announcing. He strenuously objected to the professional name Morgan. What was wrong with his own name, Henry van Ost, Jr.? he asked. Too exotic, too unpronounceable, he was told. What about the successful announcers Harry von Zell or Westbrook van Voorhis? he countered. But it was no use, and the bosses finally told Henry he could take the job or leave it. Thus began a long history of Henrys having arguments with executives.