Russ Morgan was born on April 29, 1904, at Scranton, Pennsylvania. He attended schools in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Nanticoke, PA.

Morgan and his wife Shirley lived at 2283 Bridlewood Drive. They had four children, Jack, David, Judy and Patty.

Morgan was an Orchestra Leader, musician, arranger, composer, singer, as well as playing at the Dunes. He belonged to the Masons, Shriners, Elks, Moose, Lions, Kiwanis and was one of the Nevada Kentucky Colonels. He held five gold records and received an award for Best Recording 1949 from Cashbox Magazine for "Forever and Ever", and an award from ASCAP for Best Theme Song "Does Your Heart Beat for Me". Other songs he wrote were "So Tired", "You're Nobody Until Somebody Loves You", "Homespun", "Somebody Else is Taking My Place", Sweet Eloise", "So Long, Please Think of Me", and "Don't Cry Sweetheart".

He was a coin collector, gun collector, loved to garden and do photography. He travelled the complete U.S., except Alaska; the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, England, and Mexico and has lived in PA, New York City, Chicago, Berkeley and Beverly Hills, CA, and owned two homes in Vegas and FL.

Morgan died on August 8, 1969, from a cerebral hemorrhage at Las Vegas.

Morgan's film credits include Mister Cory (1957), The Great Man (1956), Nat 'King' Cole and Russ Morgan and His Orchestra (1953), Disc Jockey (1951), Russ Morgan and His Orchestra (1949), Sarge Goes to College (1947), Cigarette Girl (1947), Melody Master: Russ Morgan and His Orchestra (1939), and Band Leader Russ Morgan Meet the Maestros (1938). He also appeared on Your Chevrolet Showroom TV show in 1953.