The Muppets Pay Tribute to Late Co-Star Jaye P. Morgan
Jaye P. Morgan, the American singer, actress, and comedian who rose to fame as a judge on The Gong Show, has passed away at the age of 94.
Born Mary Margaret Morgan on December 3, 1931, Jaye P. Morgan grew up in a large musical family.
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At just three years old, Morgan joined the family vaudeville act, where she continued to perform until her father’s death in 1945.
The Morgan family eventually moved to California, where Morgan attended Verdugo Hills High School in Los Angeles.
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Serving as class treasurer, her classmates jokingly gave her the nickname J.P. Morgan after the famous banking mogul. She later changed the spelling to Jaye P. and adopted the moniker as her professional name.
Success in Music
After graduating from high school, Morgan joined the Frank DeVol Orchestra before eventually launching a solo career.
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She would have hits with songs such as That’s All I Want From You, Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries, and That’s a Dreamin’ in My Heart.
Capitalizing on her success as a singer, NBC gave Morgan her own variety show.
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Titled The Jaye P. Morgan Show, the program saw Morgan pull double duty as both host and performer.
Transition to Acting and ‘The Gong Show’
By the 1960s, Morgan’s career began to decline. Eventually, however, she transitioned from a pop singer into an actress and comedian.
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In this role, she appeared in episodes of My Three Sons, The Odd Couple, and also various talk and variety shows.
In 1976, Morgan introduced herself to a new generation of fans as a celebrity judge on The Gong Show.
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Her over-the-top personality endeared her to fans and made her one of the show’s breakout stars.
Working With the Muppets
For Disney fans, Morgan will perhaps be best remembered for her appearance on The Muppet Show.
In the wake of her passing, the Muppets paid tribute to their former co-star.
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Morgan also made a cameo in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
Her family revealed that she passed away on August 24, 2026, in Castle Rock, Washington. She was 94.
Photo: MickeyBlog
