Morrie Schwartz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Morrie Schwartz
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| Born |
Morris S. Schwartz
December 20, 1916 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Died | November 4, 1995 (aged 78) Newton, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Occupation | Professor at Brandeis University |
| Spouse(s) | Charlotte Schwartz |
| Children | Robert and Jonathan Schwartz |
Morrie Schwartz (born December 20, 1916 – died November 4, 1995) was a kind and wise American professor. He taught sociology, which is the study of how people live together in groups, at Brandeis University. Many people know him because he was the main person in the famous book Tuesdays with Morrie. This book was written by his former student, Mitch Albom. Morrie's story also became a TV movie, where he was played by actor Jack Lemmon.
Contents
Morrie's Early Life and Family
Morrie Schwartz grew up in a family that had moved to America. His father, Charlie Schwartz, came from Russia to avoid joining the army there. Morrie's mother passed away when he was only eight years old. His brother, David, became sick with polio when he was young. Later, Morrie's father married a woman named Eva.
Morrie went to the University of Chicago for his advanced studies. He had two sons, Rob and Jon, with his wife Charlotte. Even though he came from a Jewish family, Morrie was open to ideas from many different religions as an adult.
Morrie's Illness and Passing
When Morrie was 77 years old, he was a sociology professor at Brandeis University. He was diagnosed with a serious illness called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This disease slowly takes away a person's ability to move. Morrie passed away in November 1995, about a year and three months after he learned he had ALS.
The Story of Tuesdays with Morrie
Morrie Schwartz became very well-known after he passed away. This was because of the best-selling book Tuesdays with Morrie. Mitch Albom, who wrote the book, had been one of Morrie's students at Brandeis University. Years later, Mitch saw Morrie on a TV show called Nightline.
How the Book Came to Be
After seeing Morrie on TV, Mitch called him. He then started visiting Morrie regularly. These visits happened during the last weeks of Morrie's life as his illness progressed. The book tells the story of the fourteen visits Mitch made. It shares their conversations, Morrie's lessons about life, and his experiences.
From Book to Movie
The popular book was later made into a television movie in 1999. In the movie, the famous actor Jack Lemmon played the role of Morrie Schwartz.
