Renowned Actor 'Ralph Waite' Passed Away at the Age 85

Ralph Waite, a diligent actor who rose to fame for his outstanding performance as a father on CBS’ well-admired drama “The Waltons” during the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 85. He was two times Emmy nominated actor; one nomination for his performance in “The Waltons” and the second nomination was earned for his brilliant acting in miniseries “Roots” in 1977. He acted in “The Waltons” from 1972 to 1981 as well as in many “Waltons” telepics afterwards and directed more than sixteen episodes of the show.

He was currently working on several TV drama projects including “NCIS,” “Bones” and “Days of Our Lives”. Prior to starting the show “The Waltons”, he was well-known for many classic movies like “Cool Hand Luke”, “Five Easy Pieces”, “Chato’s Land,” and “The Stone Killer”, which are some worthy mentions.

He has a long career of film acting as well as TV acting. “The Bodyguard”, “Cliffhanger”, and “Sioux City” are some of his most prominent films of 90s. His career in TV started in 1954, when he was chosen to host a program known as “Look Up and Live” on CBS. He then appeared in TV drama “Murder One” in 1996 and “Carnivale” from 2003 to 2005.

“All of us at ‘Bones’ mourn the loss of Ralph Waite. We loved having him on set, and in many ways his character was the moral center of our show as Booth’s (David Boreanaz) plainspoken, loving, war hero grandfather. The entire ‘Bones’ family sends condolences to his family and loved ones.” said Hart Hanson and Stephen Nathan, executive producers of “Bones”.

Waite was born in New York, graduated from Bucknell University and tried out a range of jobs, like community worker, church editor, and Presbyterian minister. He lastly started learning acting at age 30 and made his debut in “The Balcony” in 1960. After that, he became notable when he appeared in “Hogan’s Goat” in 1965.

In 1975, Waite established L.A Actors Theatre, giving more than fifty thousand dollars to get the Theatre started. At the same time, he 3 times tried to be elected as a Democrat for Congress in California - although unproductively - and, aware of his own endeavors with alcohol, joined an alcohol and drug healing program.

He spent his all life as an actor until at the end of last year. He was wedded 3 times, and left 2 daughters from his initial wife.