# Glenn Morris

> American track and field athlete (1912–1974)

**Wikidata**: [Q707012](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q707012)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Morris)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/glenn-morris

## Summary
Glenn Morris was an American track and field athlete who won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. He also had a brief career as a film actor after his athletic achievements.

## Biography
- Born: June 18, 1912
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Colorado State University
- Known for: Olympic gold medalist in decathlon (1936)
- Employer(s): Colorado State University
- Field(s): Athletics, acting

## Contributions
Glenn Morris won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, setting a new world record in the process. He was awarded the James E. Sullivan Award in 1936 as the top amateur athlete in the United States. After his athletic career, Morris appeared in several films, including "Tarzan's Revenge" (1938) where he played the title role.

## FAQs
What was Glenn Morris's most significant athletic achievement?
Glenn Morris won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, setting a new world record with 7,900 points.

Where did Glenn Morris go to college?
Glenn Morris attended Colorado State University, where he competed in track and field.

Did Glenn Morris have a career in acting?
Yes, after his athletic career, Glenn Morris appeared in several films, most notably playing Tarzan in "Tarzan's Revenge" (1938).

What award did Glenn Morris receive for his athletic achievements?
Glenn Morris was awarded the James E. Sullivan Award in 1936 as the top amateur athlete in the United States.

## Why They Matter
Glenn Morris's victory in the 1936 Olympic decathlon was significant as it occurred during the controversial Berlin Games hosted by Nazi Germany. His world record performance and subsequent Sullivan Award recognition established him as one of America's premier athletes of the era. His transition to acting, particularly as Tarzan, made him one of the few Olympic athletes to achieve crossover success in Hollywood.

## Notable For
- Olympic gold medalist in decathlon (1936)
- World record holder in decathlon (7,900 points)
- James E. Sullivan Award winner (1936)
- Played Tarzan in "Tarzan's Revenge" (1938)
- One of few Olympic athletes to transition to Hollywood acting

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Glenn Morris was born on June 18, 1912, in the United States. He attended Colorado State University, where he began his track and field career competing in various events.

### Athletic Career
Morris specialized in the decathlon, a grueling ten-event competition that tests an athlete's versatility across multiple track and field disciplines. His training at Colorado State University prepared him for national and international competition.

### 1936 Olympic Triumph
At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Morris achieved his greatest athletic success. He won the gold medal in the decathlon, setting a new world record with 7,900 points. This victory was particularly notable as it occurred during the controversial Berlin Games hosted by Nazi Germany, where Adolf Hitler hoped to showcase Aryan athletic supremacy.

### Post-Olympic Recognition
Following his Olympic victory, Morris was awarded the James E. Sullivan Award in 1936, recognizing him as the top amateur athlete in the United States. This prestigious award highlighted his exceptional performance and contribution to American sports.

### Acting Career
After his athletic achievements, Morris transitioned to acting. He appeared in several films, with his most notable role being Tarzan in "Tarzan's Revenge" (1938). This casting made him one of the few Olympic athletes to achieve success in Hollywood, following in the footsteps of other athlete-actors like Johnny Weissmuller.

### Legacy
Glenn Morris's Olympic victory and world record in the decathlon established him as one of America's premier athletes of the 1930s. His ability to transition from Olympic champion to Hollywood actor demonstrated the crossover appeal of successful athletes during that era. His achievements continue to be remembered as part of American Olympic history.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/78811)
2. datos.bne.es
3. USA Track & Field athlete database
4. Find a Grave
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. BnF authorities
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Integrated Authority File
9. The Movie Database