Ralph Waite
June 22, 1928 - February 13, 2014
"It's always nice to take on the impossible now and then."
"Pa" Walton in 196 episodes of the television show The Waltons (1971 - 1981). He also directed quite a few episodes. His character John Walton was voted 3rd in TV Guide's
50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time
He was also in the movies Cool Hand Luke, Five Easy Pieces, The Bodyguard and Cliffhanger.
He also attended the Yale School of Divinity and was a minister for 3 years.
He ran for congress twice, unsuccessfully. He attempted to take over the seat vacated by Sonny Bono when he bashed in his head, but lost to (Ugh) Sonny's widow. By most accounts, a monster.
He struggled with being a dipsomaniac. A friend said, "He was still boozing heavily when he took the job just for the money, but he ended up loving the role. He knew there was no way he could do the show while he was drinking.
"It wasn't easy, but he managed to kick his addiction and get sober."
At the time of his death he was married to Linda East.
He was living in this home Palm Desert
(Thank you Kim Eazell for the snaps!)
The most recent incarnation of the Walton home is on the Warner Ranch in Burbank
"Pa" Walton in 196 episodes of the television show The Waltons (1971 - 1981). He also directed quite a few episodes. His character John Walton was voted 3rd in TV Guide's
50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time
He was also in the movies Cool Hand Luke, Five Easy Pieces, The Bodyguard and Cliffhanger.
He also attended the Yale School of Divinity and was a minister for 3 years.
He ran for congress twice, unsuccessfully. He attempted to take over the seat vacated by Sonny Bono when he bashed in his head, but lost to (Ugh) Sonny's widow. By most accounts, a monster.
He struggled with being a dipsomaniac. A friend said, "He was still boozing heavily when he took the job just for the money, but he ended up loving the role. He knew there was no way he could do the show while he was drinking.
"It wasn't easy, but he managed to kick his addiction and get sober."
At the time of his death he was married to Linda East.
He was living in this home Palm Desert
(Thank you Kim Eazell for the snaps!)
The most recent incarnation of the Walton home is on the Warner Ranch in Burbank
Ralph died in the Eisenhower Medical Center in Riverside.
He was 85
Image taken from their website
Cause of death: Cardiac Arrhythmia
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Coronary Artery Disease
He also had prostate cancer and bladder cancer
He also had prostate cancer and bladder cancer
Death Certificate courtesy of Kevin Hassell
Ralph was cremated and sent back east to Westchester County, NY.
He is buried with a Sharon Waite, his daughter who died of leukemia at the age of 9.
Ginny on the scene! My friend "cousins" Ginny and Phil Michaels were on the scene.
Wanna see his mailbox?
G'nite Pa
Seem like one of the good guys not some stuck up can't act today actors
ReplyDeleteI find him to be extremely underrated as an actor. He was a great actor. Absolutely phenomenal. May he Rest in Peace.
ReplyDeleteI find him to be an extremely underrated actor. He was a great actor. Absolutely phenomenal. May he Resr in Peace.
ReplyDelete