Episode #186: Hugo Morley (Robert Morley)

Rarified Heir Podcast

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Hugo Morley, grandson of actor Robert Morley. Depending on what age you are and what country you grew up in, you might know Robert Morley for different things. If you are an American, you know him from his stint as the spokesman for British Airways or possibly the film Who Is Killing The Great Chef’s of Europe with George Segal and Jacqueline Bisset. It was fascinating to find out from Hugo, that Robert actually had a lot of leeway in the BA commercials direction. But if you grew up in England or Australia, you might know Robert Morley from the stage where he performed in about 100 films and starred in/wrote many plays. His career spanned more than sixty years and in fact, his first film role garnered an Academy Award nomination in 1939 as King Louis XVI in Marie Antoinette, starring Norma Shearer and Tyrone Power. That’s one hell of a debut.

Hugo was open with us and told us about (free) trips he took with his grandfather and family thanks to British Airways, of meals he shared with him and time spent in Robert Morley’s back garden. There was swimming and cigars….for Robert, not Hugo. We also learn about Hugo’s theater critic/actor father, Sheridan Morley who was quite well known in England. We learn about his influence on the musical Les Miserables, how an interview with Carol Channing led to Hugo becoming her Godmother and how Yul Brenner played a part in their relationship. Along the way we talk about everyone from Eli Wallach to David Tomlinson, Griff Rhys Jones, to Joanna Lumley and more.

This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story.