A score of 7,900 points in the 1936 Berlin Olympic decathlon established Glenn Morris as a global athletic force, setting both world and Olympic records. This achievement vaulted the Colorado native into a period of brief, high-intensity fame that included national awards, a short-lived film career, and service as a United States Navy officer.
Athletic Rise and Olympic Triumph
Born in 1912 near Simla, Colorado, Morris honed his skills as a versatile competitor at Colorado Agricultural College, now Colorado State University. After graduating in 1934, he focused on the decathlon. His dominance was confirmed during the 1936 U.S. Olympic trials, where he achieved a world record of 7,880 points. His subsequent performance in Berlin earned him the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's premier amateur athlete.
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Following his Olympic success, Morris transitioned briefly into media and entertainment. He appeared in the 1937 short film Decathlon Champion: The Story of Glenn Morris and starred as Tarzan in the 1938 independent production Tarzan's Revenge. His final film credit was in the 1938 comedy Hold That Co-Ed. In 1940, he played four games for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League before injury forced his retirement from professional sports.
Military Service and Later Decades
During World War II, Morris served as a U.S. Navy officer in the Pacific, commanding amphibious-assault landing craft. Following his service, he held various positions, including work as a steel rigger for the Atomic Energy Commission. His later years were marked by health issues, and he resided in California until his death in 1974 at age 61 in a Palo Alto veterans' hospital.
Fast facts
- Born: 1912, Simla, United States
- Died: 1974, Palo Alto, United States
- Olympic Gold Medalist: 1936 Decathlon
- Award: 1936 James E. Sullivan Award
- Education: Colorado State University
- NFL Career: Detroit Lions (1940)
- Film Role: Tarzan in Tarzan's Revenge (1938)
- Burial Site: Skylawn Memorial Park
Questions readers ask
What record did Glenn Morris set in 1936?
He set a new world and Olympic record in the decathlon with 7,900 points.
Did Glenn Morris serve in the military?
Yes, he was a U.S. Navy officer in the Pacific during World War II.
Where is the 1936 Olympic gold medal now?
The medal is displayed at Colorado State University in the Iris and Michael Smith Alumni Building.
