Hollywood’s most iconic reptile, Morris from Colorado Gator Farm, has “died of old age” at an estimated 80-years-old after a decades long career in showbiz rubbing shoulders with A-listers
Hollywood’s most famous alligator Morris has died aged 80 – or thereabouts.
The reptile appeared in several blockbuster productions including Happy Gilmore alongside Adam Sandler, Dr Dolittle 2 with Eddie Murphy and Interview with a Vampire starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Christian Slater.
Morris was over 80-years-old when he died and the Colorado Gator Farm in Mosca recently announced that he passed on 11 May 2025, after living at the park for almost two decades.
The farm took to Facebook to write: “Morris was known for his work in many movies and TV shows from 1975 to 2006, when he retired to live out his days at Colorado Gators.”
“His exact age was unknown but he was 9 feet long in 1975 and by his growth rate and tooth loss, we can estimate his age at over 80 years. While we knew this was inevitable, we are very saddened by his passing to old age. RIP Morris.”
Colorado Gator Farm issued an update on 12 May and revealed their plans for Morris now he has passed: “Morris [will be] taxidermied so that he can continue to scare children for years to come. It’s what he would have wanted.”
Jay Young, the farm’s owner and operator, spoke in a video that was posted alongside the sad announcement of Morris’ death. In a heartbreaking statement, Young explained that Morris had “started acting strange a week ago, wasn’t looking at his handlers and didn’t accept any food”.
He continued: “I know it’s strange to people that we get so attached to an alligator. To all our animals, we love our cats and dogs, too.”
Young branded animal deaths as “the worst part of what they do” at the farm, but assured fans Morris had lived “a happy time and died of old age”.
The alligator was discovered in a Los Angeles back garden back when he was between 10 and 20-years-old while someone was keeping him as an illegal pet.
Morris was then entrusted to the care of the only person in LA who had the correct permit to look after an alligator. They also worked in the film industry, which is how Morris got his big break.
The alligator’s other notable acting credits include Eraser, Blues Brothers 2000 and an appearance with Steve Irwin on The Jay Leno Show back in 2002.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
