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Ralph Waite

January 17, 2023

Ralph Waite (June 22, 1928 – February 13, 2014) was an American actor, best known for his lead role as John Walton Sr. on The Waltons (1972–1981), which he occasionally directed. He also had recurring roles in NCIS as Jackson Gibbs, the father of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and Bones, as Seeley Booth's grandfather. Waite had supporting roles in movies such as Cool Hand Luke (1967), Five Easy Pieces (1970), The Grissom Gang (1971), The Bodyguard (1992), and Cliffhanger (1993).[1]

Ralph Waite
Waite at the 40th anniversary of The Waltons on September 29, 2012
Born(1928-06-22)June 22, 1928
White Plains, New York, U.S.
DiedFebruary 13, 2014(2014-02-13) (aged 85)
Palm Desert, California, U.S.
Resting placeWhite Plains Rural Cemetery
Alma materBucknell University and Yale Divinity School
Occupation(s)Actor, political activist
Years active1954–2014
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
Beverly Waite
​
​
(m. 1951; div. 1966)​
Kerry Shear Waite
​
​
(m. 1977; div. 1981)​
Linda East
​
(m. 1982)​
Children3
Military career
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps

Early life

Waite, the eldest of five children, was born in White Plains, New York, on June 22, 1928, to Ralph H. Waite, a construction engineer, and Esther (née Mitchell) Waite.[2] He graduated from White Plains Senior High School in 1946. Too young for World War II, Waite served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948, then graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He worked briefly as a social worker. Waite earned a master's degree from Yale University's Divinity School and was an ordained Presbyterian minister and religious editor at Harper & Row, New York, before deciding on an acting career.[3] He was a member of the Peninsula Players summer theater program during the 1963 season.[4]

In 1963, Waite made his Broadway debut as the Minister in Marathon '33, written and directed by June Havoc.[5] He next appeared in Blues for Mister Charlie, and worked on- and off-Broadway steadily throughout the 1960s.[6]

Film work

 
From The Waltons (1972), L-R: Ralph Waite, Richard Thomas, and Michael Learned

His film work included roles in Cool Hand Luke, Five Easy Pieces, Lawman, Kid Blue, The Grissom Gang, Chato's Land, and The Stone Killer. His later films included The Bodyguard, the part of Frank the helicopter pilot in the 1993 film Cliffhanger, and as the mysterious time traveler in Timequest (2002).[7] He also voiced Shadow in Homeward Bound II.

Later stage work

Waite scored a personal triumph when he created the role of Will Kidder in the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Young Man from Atlanta, by playwright Horton Foote, in 1995.[8]

Personal life

Waite was married three times, two marriages ending in divorce. He had three daughters from his first marriage. His eldest daughter, Sharon Waite, died of leukemia when she was 9 years old in 1964.[9] Liam Waite, one of Waite's stepsons, is also an actor. After 50 years away from organized religion, Waite returned in 2010 and became an active member of Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship in Palm Desert, California.[3]

Political involvement

Waite ran unsuccessfully for Congress in California as a Democrat on three occasions: In 1990, he challenged veteran GOP incumbent Al McCandless in the Riverside County-based 37th district, losing by 5%. In 1998, Waite ran in the special election for the then-Palm Springs-based 44th district left vacant by the death of incumbent Sonny Bono.[10] He was defeated in that election by Mary Bono, Sonny's widow, and lost to her again that November.[11]

On October 21, 1991, Waite introduced former California Governor Jerry Brown prior to the latter's speech announcing his candidacy for the 1992 Democratic presidential nomination.[12]

Electoral history

Year Office Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
1990 U.S House of Representatives
District 37 		Jeffrey Jacobs 29%
Ralph Waite 71% 		103,961 44.8% Bud Mathewson 27%
Al McCandless 73% 		115,469 49.8%
1998 U.S House of Representatives
District 44 (special election) 		Ralph Waite 24,228 28.8% Mary Bono 53,755 64%
1998 U.S House of Representatives
District 39 (general election) 		Ralph Waite 57,697 35.7% Mary Bono 97,013 60.1%

Death

On February 13, 2014, Waite died in Palm Desert, California, of age-related illnesses at age 85.[13] He is buried in White Plains Rural Cemetery in New York.

Filmography

Film

Television

As director

As producer

  • 1984 A Good Sport (executive producer)

As writer

Theatre

References

  1. ^ "Ralph Waite will be honored in 'NCIS' season finale". USA Today. February 24, 2014.
  2. ^ "Ralph Waite profile at". Filmreference.com. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Presbyterian Church (USA) – Ralph Waite finds a home in church". Pcusa.org. August 6, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  4. ^ Peninsula Players 65th Anniversary Program, 1999
  5. ^ Playbill, vol. 1 (January 1964) No. 1, Marathon ’33, p. 27.
  6. ^ Byrge, Duane (February 13, 2014). "'The Waltons' Actor Ralph Waite Dead at 85". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  7. ^ "R.I.P. 'The Waltons' Patriarch Ralph Waite". Deadline Hollywood. February 13, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  8. ^ Canby, Vincent (January 30, 1995). "THEATER REVIEW; Nameless Menace In Latest By Foote". The New York Times. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  9. ^ Interview with Beverly Waite December 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine; accessed May 19, 2014.
  10. ^ Lyman, Rick (February 13, 1998). "On Stage and Off". The New York Times. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  11. ^ "'The Waltons' actor Ralph Waite dies at 85". Fox 5 San Diego. February 14, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  12. ^ Brown Presidential Campaign Announcement, Oct 21 1991
  13. ^ "The Waltons' actor Ralph Waite dies at 85 in Palm Desert." May 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, "Mydesert.com", February 13, 2014

External links

January 17, 2023
ralph, waite, june, 1928, february, 2014, american, actor, best, known, lead, role, john, walton, waltons, 1972, 1981, which, occasionally, directed, also, recurring, roles, ncis, jackson, gibbs, father, leroy, jethro, gibbs, bones, seeley, booth, grandfather,. Ralph Waite June 22 1928 February 13 2014 was an American actor best known for his lead role as John Walton Sr on The Waltons 1972 1981 which he occasionally directed He also had recurring roles in NCIS as Jackson Gibbs the father of Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Bones as Seeley Booth s grandfather Waite had supporting roles in movies such as Cool Hand Luke 1967 Five Easy Pieces 1970 The Grissom Gang 1971 The Bodyguard 1992 and Cliffhanger 1993 1 Ralph WaiteWaite at the 40th anniversary of The Waltons on September 29 2012Born 1928 06 22 June 22 1928White Plains New York U S DiedFebruary 13 2014 2014 02 13 aged 85 Palm Desert California U S Resting placeWhite Plains Rural CemeteryAlma materBucknell University and Yale Divinity SchoolOccupation s Actor political activistYears active1954 2014Political partyDemocraticSpousesBeverly Waite m 1951 div 1966 wbr Kerry Shear Waite m 1977 div 1981 wbr Linda East m 1982 wbr Children3Military careerAllegiance United States of AmericaService wbr branch United States Marine Corps Contents 1 Early life 2 Film work 3 Later stage work 4 Personal life 4 1 Political involvement 4 1 1 Electoral history 5 Death 6 Filmography 6 1 Film 6 2 Television 6 3 As director 6 4 As producer 6 5 As writer 7 Theatre 8 References 9 External linksEarly life EditWaite the eldest of five children was born in White Plains New York on June 22 1928 to Ralph H Waite a construction engineer and Esther nee Mitchell Waite 2 He graduated from White Plains Senior High School in 1946 Too young for World War II Waite served in the U S Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948 then graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg Pennsylvania He worked briefly as a social worker Waite earned a master s degree from Yale University s Divinity School and was an ordained Presbyterian minister and religious editor at Harper amp Row New York before deciding on an acting career 3 He was a member of the Peninsula Players summer theater program during the 1963 season 4 In 1963 Waite made his Broadway debut as the Minister in Marathon 33 written and directed by June Havoc 5 He next appeared in Blues for Mister Charlie and worked on and off Broadway steadily throughout the 1960s 6 Film work Edit From The Waltons 1972 L R Ralph Waite Richard Thomas and Michael Learned His film work included roles in Cool Hand Luke Five Easy Pieces Lawman Kid Blue The Grissom Gang Chato s Land and The Stone Killer His later films included The Bodyguard the part of Frank the helicopter pilot in the 1993 film Cliffhanger and as the mysterious time traveler in Timequest 2002 7 He also voiced Shadow in Homeward Bound II Later stage work EditWaite scored a personal triumph when he created the role of Will Kidder in the Pulitzer Prize winning The Young Man from Atlanta by playwright Horton Foote in 1995 8 Personal life EditWaite was married three times two marriages ending in divorce He had three daughters from his first marriage His eldest daughter Sharon Waite died of leukemia when she was 9 years old in 1964 9 Liam Waite one of Waite s stepsons is also an actor After 50 years away from organized religion Waite returned in 2010 and became an active member of Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship in Palm Desert California 3 Political involvement Edit Waite ran unsuccessfully for Congress in California as a Democrat on three occasions In 1990 he challenged veteran GOP incumbent Al McCandless in the Riverside County based 37th district losing by 5 In 1998 Waite ran in the special election for the then Palm Springs based 44th district left vacant by the death of incumbent Sonny Bono 10 He was defeated in that election by Mary Bono Sonny s widow and lost to her again that November 11 On October 21 1991 Waite introduced former California Governor Jerry Brown prior to the latter s speech announcing his candidacy for the 1992 Democratic presidential nomination 12 Electoral history Edit Year Office Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct1990 U S House of RepresentativesDistrict 37 Jeffrey Jacobs 29 Ralph Waite 71 103 961 44 8 Bud Mathewson 27 Al McCandless 73 115 469 49 8 1998 U S House of RepresentativesDistrict 44 special election Ralph Waite 24 228 28 8 Mary Bono 53 755 64 1998 U S House of RepresentativesDistrict 39 general election Ralph Waite 57 697 35 7 Mary Bono 97 013 60 1 Death EditOn February 13 2014 Waite died in Palm Desert California of age related illnesses at age 85 13 He is buried in White Plains Rural Cemetery in New York Filmography EditFilm Edit 1967 Cool Hand Luke as Alibi 1968 A Lovely Way to Die as Sean Magruder 1969 Last Summer as Peter s Father uncredited 1970 Five Easy Pieces as Carl Fidelio Dupea 1971 The Pursuit of Happiness as Detective Cromie 1971 The Sporting Club as Olson 1971 Lawman as Jack Dekker 1971 The Grissom Gang as Mace 1972 Chato s Land as Elias Hooker 1972 Hot Summer Week as John 1972 The Magnificent Seven Ride as Jim MacKay 1973 Trouble Man as Pete Cockrell 1973 Kid Blue as Drummer 1973 The Stone Killer as Mathews 1977 Red Alert TV movie as Henry Stone 1980 OHMS TV movie as Floyd Wing 1980 On the Nickel as C G 1980 Angel City TV movie as Jared Teeter 1981 The Gentleman Bandit TV movie as Father Bernard Pagano 1988 Good Old Boy A Delta Boyhood as The Narrator 1989 Red Earth White Earth as Martin 1990 Crash and Burn as Lathan Hooks 1990 Desperate Hours 1992 The Bodyguard as Herb Farmer 1993 Cliffhanger as Ranger Frank 1994 Sioux City as Drew McDermott 1996 Homeward Bound II Lost in San Francisco as Shadow voice 2000 Timequest as The Time Traveler 2002 Sunshine State as Furman Temple 2003 Blessings TV movie as Sheriff 2004 Silver City as Casey Lyle 2010 Letters to God as Cornelius Perryfield 2011 25 Hill as Ed 2012 Gabe the Cupid Dog as R L DuttonTelevision Edit 1966 Look Up and Live as Host 1967 The Borgia Stick TV movie as The Man From Toledo 1967 1968 N Y P D as Robert Stryker 1970 Bonanza The Lady and the Mark as Hoby 1971 Nichols as Sam Burton 1972 1981 The Waltons as John Walton Sr 1973 The Thanksgiving Story TV movie 1976 The Secret Life of John Chapman TV movie as John Chapman 1977 Roots as Slater Third Mate 1977 Waiting for Godot TV movie as Pozzo 1978 CBS On the Air as Himself 1980 Angel City TV movie as Jared Teeter 1981 The Gentleman Bandit TV movie as Father Bernard Pagano 1982 A Wedding on Walton s Mountain TV movie as John Walton Sr 1982 Mother s Day on Waltons Mountain TV movie as John Walton Sr 1982 A Day for Thanks on Walton s Mountain TV movie as John Walton Sr 1983 The Mississippi as Ben Walker Sr 1984 A Good Sport TV movie as Tommy O Bannon 1984 Growing Pains TV movie as Rob 1985 Crime of Innocence TV movie as Frank Hayward 1987 Reading Rainbow 1989 Murder She Wrote as District Attorney Paul Robbins 1990 Sparks The Price of Passion TV movie as Orville Lemon 1993 A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion TV movie as John Walton Sr 1994 Time Trax as Lamont Carson 1994 Sin amp Redemption TV movie as Cal Simms 1994 Keys TV movie as Dr C J Halligan 1995 A Season of Hope TV movie as Sam Hackett 1995 A Walton Wedding TV movie as John Walton Sr 1996 Murder One as Malcolm Dietrich 1997 Orleans as Otis Leblanc 1997 A Walton Easter TV movie as John Walton Sr 1997 The Third Twin TV movie as Senator Proust 1999 The Outer Limits as Gene Morton 1999 Chicken Soup for the Soul as Dad 1999 Rocket Power as Doc Freimouth voice 2000 The President s Man TV movie as President Mathews 2001 All My Children as Bart 2001 Spirit TV movie as Jacob 2003 Blessings TV movie as Sheriff 2003 2005 Carnivale as Reverend Norman Balthus 2004 The Practice as Walter Josephson 2007 Cold Case as Felton Metz 2008 CSI Young Man with a Horn as Sheriff Montgomery 2008 2013 NCIS as Jackson Gibbs 8 episodes 2008 The Cleaner as Jonus Mullins 2009 Ace Ventura Jr Pet Detective TV movie as Grandpa Ventura 2011 Kickin It as Principal Keener 7 episodes 2009 2014 Days of Our Lives as Father Matt recurring final appearance 2009 Grey s Anatomy Tainted Obligation as Irving Waller 2009 2013 Bones as Hank Booth 3 episodes 2011 Off the Map On the Mean Streets of San Miguel as AbuelitoAs director Edit 1973 1980 The Waltons TV series 1980 On the Nickel 1983 The Mississippi TV series As producer Edit 1984 A Good Sport executive producer As writer Edit 1980 On the NickelTheatre EditMarathon 33 1963 Blues for Mister Charlie 1964 Hogan s Goat play 1965 The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald 1967 Other People s Money play before the film 1991 Trinity Repertory Company Providence RI The Young Man From Atlanta 1995 References Edit Ralph Waite will be honored in NCIS season finale USA Today February 24 2014 Ralph Waite profile at Filmreference com Retrieved August 12 2010 a b Presbyterian Church USA Ralph Waite finds a home in church Pcusa org August 6 2010 Retrieved August 12 2010 Peninsula Players 65th Anniversary Program 1999 Playbill vol 1 January 1964 No 1 Marathon 33 p 27 Byrge Duane February 13 2014 The Waltons Actor Ralph Waite Dead at 85 The Hollywood Reporter Retrieved April 30 2018 R I P The Waltons Patriarch Ralph Waite Deadline Hollywood February 13 2014 Retrieved April 30 2018 Canby Vincent January 30 1995 THEATER REVIEW Nameless Menace In Latest By Foote The New York Times Retrieved April 30 2018 Interview with Beverly Waite Archived December 7 2012 at the Wayback Machine accessed May 19 2014 Lyman Rick February 13 1998 On Stage and Off The New York Times Retrieved August 30 2012 The Waltons actor Ralph Waite dies at 85 Fox 5 San Diego February 14 2014 Retrieved April 30 2018 Brown Presidential Campaign Announcement Oct 21 1991 The Waltons actor Ralph Waite dies at 85 in Palm Desert Archived May 14 2014 at the Wayback Machine Mydesert com February 13 2014External links EditRalph Waite at IMDb Ralph Waite at the Internet Broadway Database Ralph Waite at the Internet Off Broadway Database Ralph Waite at the University of Wisconsin s Actors Studio audio collection Ralph Waite on Biography Channel Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ralph Waite amp oldid 1133672940, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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