Morris the Alligator: A Colorado Celebrity Set for Taxidermy to Scare Kids Forever

Morris the alligator, a former Hollywood star, has passed away at Colorado Gators Reptile Park. His owner, Jay Young, plans to taxidermize him to keep his legacy alive as part of the park’s educational initiative. Young encourages community support for local shelters and highlights the importance of resilience in facing life’s challenges.

In a rather unusual twist, Colorado recently bid farewell to its star reptilian resident, Morris the alligator. Morris, who graced screens in hits like “Happy Gilmore” and “Interview with the Vampire,” passed away peacefully from old age in his so-called “Hollywood” pen at Colorado Gators Reptile Park, a quirky haven for various animals. His owner, Jay Young, is now embarking on a unique tribute: taxidermy, ensuring Morris’s legacy continues to scare the living daylights out of children for years to come.

Now, Morris wasn’t just any alligator; he was the talk of the town—well, the park, anyway. Young reminisced warmly about Morris’s time with him, saying, “It’s hard. We got to know him, got to love him for 20 years. Nineteen years after he left Hollywood.” It’s a bit hard to fathom how an alligator could live so long, but Morris defied expectations, thriving for almost two decades in Colorado after his Hollywood days.

Unfortunately, Morris’s passing comes on the heels of a rough patch for Colorado Gators, which has grappled with a series of calamities, including devastating fires and the loss of team members. Yet Morris’s spirit lingers on in the hearts of many who visited him over the years. Young shared that during his Hollywood tenure, Morris not only starred in movies but even made an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” It’s safe to say Morris was no stranger to fame, or the consumption of lettuce, as it turns out.

Even Adam Sandler, Morris’s co-star from “Happy Gilmore,” took to social media to express his sentiments on their time together. He mused on how Morris taught him a thing or two about life on set: “The day you wouldn’t come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art.” What a character, right?

Young’s plan to taxidermy Morris is all for educational purposes, allowing future generations to engage with the famous alligator. “People can go in and see what his teeth feel like and take pictures and things like that,” Young explained. It sounds like the perfect blend of creepy and educational, doesn’t it?

On a lighter note, Colorado Gators has welcomed its newest addition—a baby emu! Morris might inspire the name of this cheeky chicken, as Young believes in honouring his legacy amidst the cycle of life. Young also took a moment to rally the community, reminding folks that life’s hurdles can be dealt with positively: “You can whine about it, or you can deal with it. Whining isn’t going to change anything!” Words to live by!

Fans wanting to pay tribute to Morris can visit Colorado Gators and engage in the excitement there. Beyond that, Young encourages everybody to support local animal shelters, which often require a lot more love and help than they get. After all, if we can rally around our beloved Morris, perhaps we can also lend a helping hand to those in need.
Morris may be gone, but his toothy grin and legacy are set to linger on for eons, perhaps even scaring a few children in the process!

Morris the alligator’s passing left a unique mark on Colorado Gators, with plans in motion for taxidermy to keep his legendary spirit alive. His legacy as a Hollywood star and beloved local figure is celebrated through community rallies and efforts to support animal shelters. The introduction of a baby emu adds a touch of hope amid Morris’s sadness, reinforcing the cycle of life.

Original Source: www.cbsnews.com