Eileen Detchon was a Broadway performer best known today as the first wife of actor Harry Morgan, the beloved star who played Colonel Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H. Public records and theater databases show that Eileen had her own small place in show business before she became part of Morgan’s long family story. She appeared in the original Broadway production of My Heart’s in the Highlands in 1939, married Harry Morgan in 1940, and remained his wife until her death in 1985.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eileen Ann Detchon |
| Famous For | First wife of actor Harry Morgan |
| Own Career | Broadway performer |
| Broadway Credit | My Heart’s in the Highlands in 1939 |
| Husband | Harry Morgan |
| Marriage | 1940 until her death in 1985 |
| Children | Christopher, Charles, Paul, and Daniel Morgan |
| Birth Date | June 26, 1913, according to genealogy records |
| Death Date | February 4, 1985 |
| Public Status | Private family figure |
| Main Search Reason | People want to know about Harry Morgan’s first wife and the woman in the M*A*S*H photo story |
Who Was Eileen Detchon?
Eileen Detchon was a private woman with a small but real connection to Broadway.
She is not remembered as a huge Hollywood star.
She is not remembered for many movies or TV shows.
But her name still matters because it appears in two places.
First, she had a Broadway credit.
Second, she was married to Harry Morgan for more than four decades.
That makes her story quiet, but still meaningful.
She was part of theater history, Hollywood family history, and one of the most loved TV shows ever made.
Why Is Eileen Detchon Famous?
Eileen Detchon is famous mainly because she was the first wife of Harry Morgan.
Harry Morgan became known to millions of people through M*A*S*H, Dragnet, December Bride, and many classic films and TV shows.
But Eileen was not only “Harry Morgan’s wife.”
She also appeared on Broadway.
The Internet Broadway Database lists Eileen Detchon as a performer in the original 1939 Broadway production of My Heart’s in the Highlands.
That detail gives her story more depth.
She was connected to performance before her husband became a major TV name.
What Was Eileen Detchon’s Broadway Credit?
Eileen Detchon appeared in My Heart’s in the Highlands on Broadway.
IBDB lists the show as opening on April 13, 1939, and running until May 1939. It also lists Eileen Detchon as an original ensemble performer.
This may sound like a small credit, but it still matters.
Broadway was, and still is, a major stage.
Even being part of an ensemble means a person had the skill, courage, and discipline to perform in front of a live audience.
Eileen’s credit shows that she had her own artistic life.
What Was My Heart’s in the Highlands?
My Heart’s in the Highlands was a play by William Saroyan.
It opened on Broadway in 1939.
Eileen Detchon was listed in the ensemble of the original production.
A Broadway ensemble role usually means the performer supports the world of the play.
They may appear in group scenes.
They may help create the feeling of the stage story.
They may not be the lead, but they are still part of the show’s life.
For Eileen, this was a clear public credit before her later private family life.
Who Was Harry Morgan?
Harry Morgan was an American actor with a career that lasted more than 60 years.
He was born Harry Bratsberg on April 10, 1915, in Detroit, Michigan.
He acted in films, television, and theater.
Many fans remember him as Colonel Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H. Others remember him as Officer Bill Gannon on Dragnet. His public biography also lists major roles in December Bride, Pete and Gladys, Hec Ramsey, and more than 100 films.
Harry Morgan had the kind of face and voice people trusted.
He could be funny.
He could be firm.
He could be warm.
That is why many viewers loved him.
Was Eileen Detchon Married to Harry Morgan?
Yes, Eileen Detchon was married to Harry Morgan.
Harry Morgan’s public biography says his first marriage was to Eileen Detchon from 1940 until her death in 1985.
IMDb lists the marriage date as September 1, 1940, and says the marriage lasted until Eileen’s death on February 4, 1985.
Their marriage lasted about 44 years.
That is a long time in any life.
It is especially long when connected to show business, where work, travel, money, and fame can put pressure on families.
How Many Children Did Eileen Detchon Have?
Eileen Detchon and Harry Morgan had four sons together.
Public sources name their sons as:
Christopher Morgan
Charles Morgan
Paul Morgan
Daniel Morgan
Harry Morgan’s public biography says he had four sons with Eileen: Christopher, Charles, Paul, and Daniel. It also notes that Daniel died in 1989.
Entertainment Weekly also reported that Harry Morgan and Eileen raised four sons together.
Because some family members were private, a respectful article should not go too deeply into their private lives.
Why Is Eileen Detchon Connected to M*A*S*H?
Eileen Detchon has a sweet connection to M*A*S*H through Harry Morgan’s character, Colonel Potter.
Public sources say that during Morgan’s time on M*A*S*H, a photograph of Eileen Detchon appeared on the desk of his character.
This is a small detail, but fans love it.
It means that a piece of Harry Morgan’s real life appeared inside his fictional world.
Colonel Potter’s desk was part of the show’s warm feeling.
A real photo of Eileen made that space feel even more personal.
Why Was the Photo Detail So Touching?
The photo detail is touching because it shows love in a quiet way.
Harry Morgan was acting as Colonel Potter.
But the photo on the desk was of his real wife.
That gave the show a private emotional touch.
Many viewers may not have known it at the time.
But once fans learn it, the detail makes Potter’s character feel even warmer.
It is as if Harry Morgan carried a piece of home into the show.
That is why Eileen’s name still comes up among M*A*S*H fans.
Did Harry Morgan Name a TV Wife After Eileen?
Public profiles say that on Dragnet, Harry Morgan’s character Officer Bill Gannon had a wife named Eileen.
This is another small detail that fans notice.
It may have been a simple writing choice.
But because Harry’s real wife was named Eileen, it stands out.
For fans, it adds one more layer to the connection between Harry Morgan’s real life and his screen roles.
What Was Eileen Detchon’s Early Life?
Eileen Ann Detchon was born on June 26, 1913, according to genealogy records.
FamilySearch lists her birth in Oregon and names her parents as Daniel Howard Detchon and Myrtle Elizabeth Clark. It also lists her death on February 4, 1985, in Los Angeles, California.
Because Eileen was not a major public celebrity, there is limited trusted information about her childhood.
That is normal.
Many people connected to famous actors lived mostly private lives.
Was Eileen Detchon From Oregon?
Genealogy records list Eileen Ann Detchon as born in Oregon on June 26, 1913.
FamilySearch gives a more specific location connected to Portland, Oregon, and says she later lived in Seattle and Manhattan before her death in Los Angeles.
These details help build a basic timeline.
But they do not give a full personal biography.
We know some dates and places.
We do not know every private story from her childhood, education, or family life.
Did Eileen Detchon Have a Long Acting Career?
No strong public sources show that Eileen Detchon had a long acting career.
Her most clearly confirmed public performance credit is the 1939 Broadway play My Heart’s in the Highlands.
BroadwayWorld also lists her stage credit for the same show.
After that, her public record becomes much quieter.
It appears that her later life was more focused on marriage and family than on public acting work.
Why Is There Little Information About Eileen Detchon?
There is little information because Eileen Detchon lived a private life.
She did not become a large public star.
She did not appear in many major interviews.
She did not build a long film or television profile.
She became known mostly because of Harry Morgan and a small Broadway credit.
That is why many articles about her have only a few confirmed facts.
A good article should not fill the gaps with fake details.
How Long Were Eileen Detchon and Harry Morgan Together?
Eileen Detchon and Harry Morgan were married from 1940 until her death in 1985.
That means they were married for about 44 years.
Entertainment Weekly also summarized that Morgan was married to Eileen from 1940 until her death and that they raised four sons together.
Their marriage lasted through many stages of Morgan’s career.
He worked in theater, film, radio, and television.
Eileen was part of his private life through it all.
What Was Harry Morgan Doing During Their Marriage?
During his marriage to Eileen, Harry Morgan built a huge acting career.
He appeared in classic films such as The Ox-Bow Incident, High Noon, The Glenn Miller Story, and Inherit the Wind.
He later became a TV favorite through December Bride, Dragnet, and M*A*S*H. His public biography says his career lasted from 1935 to 1999.
That means Eileen lived beside a long and changing entertainment career.
She saw him move from stage work into film and then into television fame.
Why Was Harry Morgan So Loved on M*A*S*H?
Harry Morgan was loved on M*A*S*H because Colonel Potter felt real.
He was strict, but kind.
He was old-fashioned, but fair.
He could be funny, but also deeply caring.
Entertainment Weekly described Morgan’s Potter as the stern camp commander who arrived in season 4, and noted that Morgan won an Emmy for the role.
For many fans, Colonel Potter became one of the show’s strongest father figures.
That makes the Eileen photo on his desk feel even more special.
Did Eileen Detchon See Harry Morgan’s Biggest TV Success?
Yes, Eileen Detchon was alive during Harry Morgan’s years on M*A*S*H.
Morgan joined the show in the mid-1970s, and the series ended in 1983.
Eileen died in 1985.
That means she lived to see him become famous to a new generation of viewers through Colonel Potter.
This must have been a meaningful time.
Harry had already worked for decades, but M*A*S*H gave him one of his most remembered roles.
When Did Eileen Detchon Die?
Eileen Detchon died on February 4, 1985.
FamilySearch lists her death in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
Harry Morgan’s public biography also says his marriage to Eileen lasted until her death in 1985.
She was 71 years old if the June 26, 1913 birth date listed in genealogy records is correct.
Did Harry Morgan Remarry After Eileen Detchon?
Yes, Harry Morgan remarried after Eileen Detchon’s death.
Public profiles say he married Barbara Bushman Quine on December 17, 1986. She was the granddaughter of silent film actor Francis X. Bushman. Their marriage lasted until Harry Morgan’s death in 2011.
This was a later chapter in Morgan’s life.
But Eileen remained his first wife and the mother of his four sons.
What Is Eileen Detchon’s Net Worth?
Eileen Detchon’s personal net worth is not publicly confirmed.
Some websites may guess numbers, but those guesses are not reliable.
Net worth can include savings, property, income, investments, and family assets.
Eileen was a private person, and there is no strong public financial source showing her personal wealth.
The honest answer is:
Eileen Detchon’s personal net worth is not publicly known.
What Was Eileen Detchon’s Cause of Death?
Eileen Detchon’s exact cause of death is not clearly confirmed in the public sources reviewed here.
Genealogy records list her death date and place, but they do not give a clear cause of death in the accessible summary.
Because of that, a careful article should not guess.
The safe answer is:
Eileen Detchon died on February 4, 1985, but her exact cause of death is not widely confirmed by major public sources.
Is Eileen Detchon on Wikipedia?
Eileen Detchon does not appear to have her own full dedicated Wikipedia page.
She is mentioned mainly through Harry Morgan’s biography and Broadway databases.
That is normal.
Not every private person connected to a famous actor has a full public biography.
Eileen’s public record is smaller, but it still has clear points: Broadway, marriage, family, and the M*A*S*H photo connection.
Why Do People Search Eileen Detchon?
People search Eileen Detchon because they want to know more about Harry Morgan’s first wife.
Common searches include:
Who was Eileen Detchon?
Was Eileen Detchon married to Harry Morgan?
Was Eileen Detchon an actress?
Did Eileen Detchon appear on Broadway?
How many children did she have?
Was her photo on Colonel Potter’s desk?
When did Eileen Detchon die?
What was her net worth?
These questions are natural because Harry Morgan is still loved by classic TV fans.
Why Eileen Detchon Should Not Be Reduced to “Harry Morgan’s Wife”
Eileen Detchon is often introduced as Harry Morgan’s wife, and that is understandable.
It is the reason many people search her name.
But that is not her whole story.
She also had her own Broadway credit.
She lived in a world of theater before becoming part of a long Hollywood marriage.
She raised four sons.
She remained part of Harry Morgan’s life for more than 40 years.
So the better description is:
Eileen Detchon was a Broadway performer and private family figure best known as Harry Morgan’s first wife.
What Is Confirmed About Eileen Detchon?
The strongest public facts are simple.
Eileen Detchon was a Broadway performer credited in the original 1939 production of My Heart’s in the Highlands.
She married Harry Morgan in 1940 and remained his wife until her death in 1985.
She and Harry Morgan had four sons: Christopher, Charles, Paul, and Daniel.
During Morgan’s time on M*A*S*H, a photo of Eileen appeared on Colonel Potter’s desk.
These are the main facts readers should trust.
What Is Not Confirmed About Eileen Detchon?
Many details about Eileen Detchon are not clearly confirmed by major public sources.
These include:
Her full childhood story
Her education
Her full career after Broadway
Her personal net worth
Her exact cause of death
Her private daily life
Her personal thoughts about Harry Morgan’s fame
Her full family life away from public attention
Because these details are private or unclear, a good article should not invent them.
Why Articles About Eileen Detchon Should Be Careful
Articles about Eileen Detchon should be careful because she was mostly private.
It is easy for websites to copy each other and add details without proof.
A respectful article should avoid:
Fake net worth claims
Fake cause of death claims
Unverified career details
Private family gossip
Wrong birth details without source
Claims about her feelings without evidence
Good writing should stay simple and honest.
What Makes Eileen Detchon’s Story Special?
Eileen Detchon’s story is special because it is quiet.
She was not the main star.
She was not a headline-maker.
But she had a Broadway credit.
She had a long marriage.
She raised a family.
And a photo of her quietly became part of one of TV’s most loved shows.
That kind of story may not be loud, but it is memorable.
Sometimes small details keep a person’s memory alive.
For Eileen, that detail is a photo on Colonel Potter’s desk.
What Can Readers Learn From Eileen Detchon?
Readers can learn that not every important person in a famous story becomes famous too.
Some people support from home.
Some people have short creative careers.
Some people are remembered through family, love, and small details.
Eileen Detchon’s name may not be as famous as Harry Morgan’s.
But her life still touched Broadway, Hollywood, and classic TV history.
That makes her worth remembering.
What Is the Most Honest Summary of Eileen Detchon?
The most honest summary is this:
Eileen Detchon was a Broadway performer and the first wife of actor Harry Morgan. She appeared in the 1939 Broadway production of My Heart’s in the Highlands and married Morgan in 1940. The couple had four sons together: Christopher, Charles, Paul, and Daniel. Eileen remained married to Morgan until her death in 1985. Fans also remember her because a photo of her appeared on Colonel Potter’s desk during Morgan’s time on M*A*S*H.
Final Thoughts on Eileen Detchon
Eileen Detchon was not a loud celebrity, but her story has real charm.
She had her own moment on Broadway.
She became the wife of Harry Morgan before he became one of classic TV’s most beloved actors.
She raised four sons with him.
And years later, her photo quietly appeared inside the world of M*A*S*H, one of the most loved television shows of all time.
For readers searching her name, the best answer is simple: Eileen Detchon was Harry Morgan’s first wife, a Broadway performer, a mother, and a private woman whose quiet place in entertainment history still interests fans today.
FAQs About Eileen Detchon
Who was Eileen Detchon?
Eileen Detchon was a Broadway performer best known as the first wife of actor Harry Morgan.
Was Eileen Detchon married to Harry Morgan?
Yes, Eileen Detchon married Harry Morgan in 1940. Their marriage lasted until her death in 1985.
Did Eileen Detchon have children?
Yes, Eileen Detchon and Harry Morgan had four sons: Christopher, Charles, Paul, and Daniel.
Was Eileen Detchon an actress?
Yes, she had at least one confirmed Broadway performance credit.
What Broadway show was Eileen Detchon in?
Eileen Detchon appeared in the original 1939 Broadway production of My Heart’s in the Highlands.
Was Eileen Detchon’s photo on M*A*S*H?
Yes, public sources say a photograph of Eileen Detchon appeared on Colonel Potter’s desk during Harry Morgan’s time on M*A*S*H.
When did Eileen Detchon die?
Eileen Detchon died on February 4, 1985.
What was Eileen Detchon’s cause of death?
Her exact cause of death is not clearly confirmed by major public sources.
What is Eileen Detchon’s net worth?
Eileen Detchon’s personal net worth is not publicly confirmed. Online estimates should be treated carefully.
Why do people search Eileen Detchon?
People search Eileen Detchon because she was Harry Morgan’s first wife, a Broadway performer, the mother of his four sons, and the real woman whose photo appeared on Colonel Potter’s desk in M*A*S*H.
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