His real name was Lucky. Morris was a stage name.
Morris, previously named Lucky, was adopted in 1968. As the story goes, HHS staff members noticed the cat's charming personality and contacted Bob Martwick, a professional animal trainer who worked for the Leo Burnett advertising agency. Martwick recognized a certain charisma and star quality.share
https://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org/about/morris-the-cat
Whoever selected the voice actor who provided the voice of Morris was an absolute genius. I will remember those commercials to the day I die...they were great!
shareMorris was probably the greatest animal actor who ever lived. In addition to the Nine Lives commercials, he also appeared in "Shamus", a Burt Reynolds detective movie, as Burt's cat.
shareWas there only one Morris? Typically animal actors are several generations and are replaced when they get older.
shareThree different catsshare
Three different cats have played Morris the Cat.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_the_Cat#:~:text=Three%20different%20cats%20have%20played%20Morris%20the%20Cat.