Morris Ankrum (August 28, 1896 – September 2, 1964) was an American radio, television and film character actor.
Born Morris Nussbaum in Danville, Illinois, Ankrum's originally began his career in academics. After graduating from USC with a law degree, he went on to an associate professorship in economics at the University of California, Berkeley. While at Berkeley, he became involved in the drama department and eventually began teaching drama and directing at the Pasadena Playhouse.
Before signing to Paramount Pictures in the 1930s, Nussbaum had already changed his last name to Ankrum. Upon signing with the studio, he chose to use the name "Stephen Morris" before changing it to Morris Ankrum in 1939.
Ankrum's stern visage and sharply defined features helped cast him in supporting roles as stalwart authority figures, including scientists, military men (particularly army officers), judges, and even psychiatrists in over seventy films, mostly of the 'B' variety. His film career was extensive, spanning thirty years. His film credits were largely concentrated in the western and science fiction genres.
Ankrum appeared in such westerns as Ride 'Em Cowboy in 1942, Vera Cruz opposite Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster, Apache (1954), and Cattle Queen of Montana with Barbara Stanwyck and Ronald Reagan.
In the sci-fi genre, he appeared in Rocketship X-M, Red Planet Mars providing support to the film's deity-seeking scientist, Peter Graves in another government role as U.S. Secretary of Defense; the 1953 cult classic Invaders From Mars (1953), portraying a U.S. Army colonel out to save the Earth from the "Invaders", and Earth vs. the Flying Saucers in 1956 alongside Hugh Marlowe and Nancy Gates. In 1957 he played a psychiatrist in the cult sci-fi classic Kronos. He also played a military officer in Beginning of the End in 1957.
By the end of 1958, Ankrum's film career had essentially ended, though he continued taking television roles, appearing in several shows including: The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Dennis the Menace, Cheyene, and Rawhide. He also continued to make occasional uncredited appearances in several Roger Corman films.
During this time, he was also still involved in live theatre, and continued to direct plays at the Pasadena Playhouse.
He and Joan Wheeler had a child, former actor David Ankrum, best known as Adam from Tabitha (TV series). David Ankrum eventually became a Hollywood agent.
On September 2, 1964, Ankrum died of trichinosis. At the time of his death, he had a reoccurring role as a judge on Perry Mason.
Ankrum is also mentioned in the song, "The Radio is Broken". The song appears on the 1983 Frank Zappa album The Man from Utopia.
