Ralph Waite has Died

Waite passed away this afternoon, his church confirms.

Ralph Waite, a prolific television actor who found fame in middle age playing John Walton, Sr. – Papa Walton – on the CBS series “The Waltons,” has died. He was 85.

Waite died around 2 p.m. Thursday, his church told TheWrap. No cause of death was immediately given.

The White Plains, N.Y., native served in the Marine Corps and had a variety of occupations — including as a Presbyterian minister and a social worker — before dabbling in theater in the early 1960s. He was already in his 30s when he made it to Broadway, including a starring turn opposite Faye Dunaway in “Hogan’s Goat.”

From there he was emboldened to move West, appearing on stage and screen, including roles in “Cool Hand Luke” and “Five Easy Pieces.”

But it wasn’t until “The Waltons” that Waite found fame. Playing Depression-era homesteader John Walton, Waite, in his mid-40s by the time the show started in 1971, directed several episodes of the series that would thrive for nine seasons on CBS.

Besides taking numerous roles in television, Waite ran unsuccessfully for Congress in California three times as a Democrat. Waite remained a working actor until late last year, appearing in episodes of “Bones,” “NCIS” and “Days of Our Lives.”

Though he’d been out of organized religion some 50 years — since his minister days — he returned in 2010, becoming an active member of Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship in Palm Desert, Calif.

I just read about this. Another great one gone.

I caught him playing Gibbs dad on NCIS and just smiled...I always thought he was a great actor and just fit the role on the Walton's so well. He left a nice legacy.


His "kids" left nice pics and thoughts on FB pages.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/210306135657301/

Oh no, not another! I LOVE The Waltons, I still watch it every day on INSP. He will be missed..

 R.I.P. That's so sad.

He did fit the role of Gibbs father so well. I remember him on the movie Cliff Hanger too.
He will always be John Walton Sr. to me though. What a blessing he was to many.

So sad to hear about this. I saw the status on Facebook, from the casts of The Waltons, that has a facebook page for fans. RIP Ralph Waite

R.I.P. Ralph. It's so sad that we have lost so many great actors in such a short period of time. I haven't seen too many episodes of The Waltons but I enjoy watching it.

So sad to hear this. I still watch the Walton's on INSP. They are having a tribute in memory of Mr. Waite on Sunday at 6pm.

This video was shared on Mary McDonough's Facebook page. A fan made it. It's beautiful.

Goodnight, Mr. Waite.

That was sweet...I liked how many of his Walton family said Goodbye to him that way in their statements. He did a lot, but he'll always be "Daddy". ; )

Nice video

Ralph Waite's last roles on TV was a Priest on Days of Our Lives, as well as Gibbs' father on NCIS. Days normally does a show dedicated to a cast member who has passed away, but it hasn't been done yet. NCIS however, will have a special show to say 'good-bye' to the actor, in tonight's Season Finale called, 'Honor Thy Father'. CBS 7:00 Central Time:   

"Gibbs visits his childhood home following news of his father's passing."