Philip Morris, builder of the world’s largest costume distributorship, dies late Sunday at 83.

A showman to the end, his gorilla suits launched a costume empire.

BY BRUCE HENDERSON
bhenderson@charlotteobserver.com

Philip Morris, the one-time circus ringmaster who made gorilla suits in his basement as he built the world’s largest costume distributorship, died late Sunday at his Mooresville home. He was 83.

A showman to the end, Morris delighted in turning napkins into ghosts and pulling quarters out of kids’ ears even as he struggled with Alzheimer’s disease in his final months.

“He’s up in heaven right now entertaining the angels,” said his son, Scott Morris. “That was my dad.”

Longtime Charlotteans will remember Morris appearing on WBTV’s “Big Bill’s Clubhouse” and “Horror Theater” on late Friday nights in the 1960s....read more.


Bruce Henderson: 704-358-5051

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