Morris, the legendary Hollywood alligator known for his roles alongside major movie stars, has died at the age of 80 — or something close to it — of natural causes.
The death was announced by the Colorado Gator Farm, where the reptile had lived since retiring in 2006.
The iconic alligator starred in several box office hits, including Happy Gilmore with Adam Sandler, Dr. Dolittle 2 with Eddie Murphy, and Interview with the Vampire alongside Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Christian Slater. Other acting credits include Eraser, Blues Brothers 2000, and even an appearance with Steve Irwin on The Jay Leno Show in 2002.
According to the farm located in Mosca, Colorado, Morris passed away on May 11, 2025, after nearly two decades living at the park. “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,” the team wrote in an emotional Facebook post.
The animal measured over 2.70 meters back in 1975, and based on his growth rate and tooth wear, his age was estimated to be over 80. “Though we knew this day would come, we are deeply saddened by his passing into old age. RIP Morris.”
Originally, Morris was found in a Los Angeles backyard, where he was being illegally kept as a pet. He was eventually handed over to the only person in the city with a legal license to care for alligators — someone who also worked in the film industry, launching Morris’s career in entertainment.
Jay Young, owner of the Colorado Gator Farm, shared a heartfelt video recounting the animal’s final days. “Morris started acting strange about a week ago, wasn’t responding to handlers and refused to eat,” he said. “I know it might sound strange to some people that we were so attached to an alligator, but we love all our animals — just like dogs or cats.”
Young also said that losing animals is “the hardest part” of working at the farm, but assured fans that Morris had “a happy life and died of old age.”
In an update published on May 12, the farm revealed that Morris will be taxidermized to continue his mission of entertaining — and scaring — visitors: “It’s what he would have wanted.”
Source and images: Facebook ColoradoGatorFarm. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
