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Ralph Waite

American actor (1928-2014) · United States · On the map · Actors · Died at 85

Ralph Waite was an American actor, best known for his lead role as John Walton Sr. on The Waltons (1972-1981), which he occasionally directed. He later had recurring roles as two other heroic fathers; in NCIS as Jackson Gibbs, the father of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and in Bones, as Seeley Booth's grandfather.

Ralph Waite is read about 1,061 times a day, in 43 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 400 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2014Died13 February 20142012Gabe the Cupid DogFilm, R.L. Dutton2010Letters to GodFilm, Mr. Perryfield2008Generation GapFilm, Chick2007CaneSeries, Father Mike2004Silver CityFilm, Casey Lyle2003CarnivàleSeries, Reverend Norman Balthus2001SpiritFilm, Jacob Hardesty1997The PracticeSeries, Walter Josephson1996The WestSeriesHomeward Bound II: Lost in San FranciscoFilm, 1996Shadow (voice)1993Time TraxSeries, Lamont CarsonCliffhangerFilm, 1993Frank1990Crash and BurnFilm, Lathan Hooks1984Murder, She WroteSeries, D.A. Paul Robbins1982A Day for Thanks on Waltons MountainFilm, John Walton1980Angel CityFilm, Jared Teeter1977RootsSeries, Slater1974Dinah!Series1973Kid BlueFilm, Drummer1971NicholsSeries, Sam BurtonLawmanFilm, 1971Jack Dekker1969Last SummerFilm, Peter's father (uncredited)1967Cool Hand LukeFilm, Alibi1959BonanzaSeries, Hoby Miles1928Born22 June 1928

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Known for

View all 40 titles
  • Cool Hand Luke 1967
  • Five Easy Pieces 1970
  • Letters to God 2010
  • The Bodyguard 1992
  • Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco 1996

Also in Deutsch Français

Filmography 40

83 credits on file

Television 21

Media & music

About this person

Country
United States
Category
Actors
Type
Actor
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1928 to 2014 · aged 85

In the same film or series as Ralph

Chuck NorrisAlso in The President's Man (2000)Dick Van DykeAlso in Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses (2007)Linda BlairAlso in The Sporting Club (1971)Aubrey PeeplesAlso in Ace Ventura Jr: Pet Detective (2009)Doris RobertsAlso in A Lovely Way to Die (1968)