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Famous car dealer, and Hey Hey It’s Saturday star, Ken Morgan dies, aged 87

Ken Morgan, Australia’s most famous car dealer, thanks to Pluck-A-Duck, has died at 87 after a battle with lung disease.

Ken Morgan gives a car away with Don Lane

Ken Morgan, once Australia’s most famous car dealer, thanks to Pluck a Duck, has died at the age of 87.

Morgan was one of the most recognisable names in the business thanks to his charity work and memorable segments on Hey Hey Its Saturday.

He handed over the keys to at least 50 Toyotas as prizes to viewers on Hey Hey since 1983, well before Oprah Winfrey was giving out cars to her audience members.

Morgan was Australia’s most famous car dealer.
Morgan was Australia’s most famous car dealer.

After being introduced by host Daryl Somers, Morgan would bound on to the set for the variety show’s Pluck a Duck competition segment. Cracking a few gags, Morgan would hand the winning viewer the keys to a new Toyota from one of his dealerships.

Morgan started as a car cleaner after becoming homeless at 16 when his 52-year-old mother, Gladys, died.

His life turned around when a police officer found him dazed and confused on a park bench in Sydney and took the time to help him.

Morgan was also known for his work with teens, after becoming homeless at 16 when his mother died.
Morgan was also known for his work with teens, after becoming homeless at 16 when his mother died.

The well-known car dealer was diagnosed with a lung disease more than 10 years ago after “years of smoking”.

Morgan became president of the Variety Club and formed Kids Under Cover, a not-for-profit organisation providing homes for street kids.

He was also known for his appearances on the Don Lane Show, where he spun a wheel giving away cars.

Morgan was awarded an Order of Australia in 2011 for his youth work.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/famous-car-dealer-and-hey-hey-its-saturday-star-ken-morgan-dies-aged-87/news-story/ce5958b4c66e842cbf8c4fc4d57051cc