Singer and actress Jaye P. Morgan, largely known for her appearances on television specials and gameshows like "The Gong Show," has died, her representatives revealed on Wednesday, Aug. 26. She was 94.
The vocalist died Aug. 24 of natural causes, her representatives confirmed in a statement shared with USA TODAY. She had been living with her nephew and niece, Duke Morgan Spencer and Peggy Sue Spencer, in Longview, Washington. There will be no memorial service, with Morgan's family planning to honor her wishes and mourn privately, her representatives said.
The performer made a name for herself as a singer in the 1950s with recordings of the songs "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries" and "That’s All I Want from You," though she is largely remembered
for her time on TV. From 1954-55, she was a vocalist on the ABC quiz show "Stop the Music" around the time she was a regular on the CBS' daytime variety program "The Robert Q. Lewis Show."
In 1956, she took center stage for one season of "The Jaye P. Morgan Show," performing alongside her brothers Duke, Bob, Charlie and Dick. She was also a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show" during Johnny Carson's tenure and appeared on variety shows like "The Jackie Gleason Show" and "The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford."
Morgan later became a memorable celebrity panelist on "The Gong Show," Chuck Barris' talent competition that aired on NBC from 1976 to 1978. Her tenure ended controversially in 1978 after she exposed her breasts during a performance by Gene Gene the Dancing Machine, prompting NBC to fire her from the show.
Jaye P. Morgan made singing debut at age 3
Born in 1931 in Mancos, Colorado, as Mary Margaret Morgan, she later adopted the name of the banking institution J.P. Morgan after she served as class treasurer in high school.
She was one of seven children born to John Theophilus Morgan and Josephine Corrine Owens Morgan. Morgan made her singing debut at age 3 as part of the family act The Morgan Family, performing alongside her father, five brothers and sister, according to her representatives.
In 1935, the family moved to Los Angeles, where Morgan performed on the radio, was a regular at the Million Dollar Theatre and appeared in the musical drama film "Stars Over Broadway."
When she turned 15, she was performing professionally, including work with western swing musician Hank Penny. At 17, she left school and began working with bandleader Frank DeVol, with whom she performed at hotels and ballrooms across Southern California and on the radio.
“When I left school at 17 and began working with Frank DeVol, he liked [the name], so it stuck," she said in a 1992 interview with the Los Angeles Times.
Jaye P. Morgan named best female vocalist in 1954
Morgan later recorded for Derby Records, releasing songs including "Just a Gigolo" and "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries." Her success as a recording artist led to television appearances on "The Robert Q. Lewis Show" and "Stop the Music." After signing with RCA Records in 1954, she released hits including "That's All I Want from You," "Danger! Heartbreak Ahead" and "The Longest Walk."
By 1954, she was honored as the year's best female vocalist by DownBeat and Cash Box magazines.
Morgan also found success as an actress through TV roles on "General Electric Theatre" as well as film credits in "The All-American Boy," with Jon Voight, "The Gong Show Movie" and George Clooney's "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind."
Morgan was married three times, including to musician Art Kane, with whom she adopted her late son, Paul Kane. "I had wonderful husbands, but I guess I just don't enjoy being married," she told the Los Angeles Times in 1992.
She is survived by her nephew and niece, Duke Morgan Spencer and Peggy Sue Spence
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jaye P. Morgan, singer and unforgettable 'Gong Show' star, dies at 94
