This is an I-Heart podcast.

And we continue with our American stories. And now it's time for another one of Roger

McGrath's, Hollywood Goes to

War Stories. Today, McGrath will be treating us to the story of Hollywood strapping,

steely-eyed leading man, Wayne Morris. Here's McGrath with the story of Wayne Morris.

Wayne Morris was born and bred in California. Though he didn't think about it growing up,

he looked like something created for screen stardom. He was tall, athletic, and handsome. He was also

intelligent and good nature. It wasn't until college, though, that he got the acting bug.

Then the six-foot, two-and-a-half and well-built

200-pound Morris began taking acting lessons and appearing in plays. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed college boy

was soon signed to a Warner Brothers contract. Morris appeared in 29 movies by the time he was 27 years old and starred

in most of them, including the box office and critical smash hit Kid Galahad. He then walked

away from Hollywood and starred him to serve as a Navy fighter pilot in World War II.

Wayne Morris is born Bert Duane Morris Jr. in February 1914 in Los Angeles.

His father, Bert Duane Morris Sr., has New England roots by way of the Upper Midwest in Nebraska.

There is a Morris ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War as an officer.

Wayne Morris' mother is the former Anna Fitzgerald from Texas.

There is a Fitzgerald ancestor who fought in the Revolutionaire War

as an enlisted man. Wayne Morris will have a younger brother, Richard Morris, who also

becomes a pilot in World War II. When Wayne Morris is still a little boy,

the family moves to San Francisco

and remains there before returning to Los Angeles

...