Everyone loves a good rags-to-riches story, and this one is special because it is all about a cat. Morris, the "World’s Most Finicky Cat” has had an amazing life journey.
From Humble Beginnings
Although no one knows his earliest origins, his life as a celebrity cat began in what was for Morris, one of the scariest places on earth. He was discovered by Bob Martwick, a professional animal trainer, in a Chicago animal shelter just 20 minutes away from being “put to sleep”. This was in 1968. Mr. Martwick brought him home and immediately began to work with him.
Morris Makes it Big
A year later, in 1969, the 15 lb. tabby landed the coveted role of Morris in the "9 Lives" cat food commercials. Perfect for the part, he went on to become a major success in what was one of the most successful television advertising campaigns in history. TV commercials starring Morris are still being shown and to this day, a photo of Morris is featured on every can of Nine Lives cat food.
Despite his humble beginnings, Morris went on to achieve both fame and fortune. He starred in the movie Shamus with Burt Reynolds and Dyan Cannon in 1973, hosted his own TV special, and he made many guest appearances on TV talk shows. Morris was described as “the feline Burt Reynolds” by Time Magazine in 1983. He even appeared on the Larry King show. Morris also authored no fewer than three books: The Morris Method, The Morris Approach, and The Morris Prescription. For three years in a row, Morris was awarded US Magazine’s title of “Animal Star of the Year”. For animals, this is the equivalent of receiving an Oscar.
Morris Gives Something Back
Proceeds from the sales of the three books that Morris wrote went toward helping cats that were less fortunate than he. Then in 1996, a newer Morris spearheaded the “Morris Million Cat Rescue Campaign” to work toward the goal of facilitating the adoptions of a million homeless cats. This nation-wide campaign was sponsored by Nine Lives. Happily, his campaign was a success and over one million cats were adopted! The millionth cat was actually a little gray kitten. It was adopted at a Los Angeles shelter amidst a celebration attended by paparazzi. Of course, Morris himself was there to make sure that everything went according to plan. Giuliana Rancic, the one millionth person to adopt, arrived in a limo and was delighted, not only with her new kitty, but to have the opportunity to meet Morris, as well.
After the First Morris
The first Morris worked for Nine Lives until his death in 1978. He has since been replaced by two more cats. All of the Morrises have been rescued from shelters. Every Morris looks identical and the current Morris is also very active in cat rescue and as the Nine Lives spokescat. The Los Angeles celebrity lifestyle suits him and he even has his own Morris the Cat Facebook page where he regularly posts sardonic status updates.
Morris was also a bit of a philosopher. He is probably best known for saying, “The cat who doesn't act finicky soon loses control of his owner".
