Ralph Waite passed away today

trr1

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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Hollywood is saying a fond goodnight to Ralph Waite, who played beloved family patriarch John Walton on The Waltons for nine years. The actor died midday on Thursday at his home in South Palm Desert.
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'The Waltons' Actor Ralph Waite Dead at 85
In addition to The Waltons, he recurred on CBS' NCIS in recent years, and the show's Pauley Perrette was among those remembering him on social media. " So Sad. Ralph Waite has passed away. Papa Gibbs. We love him at NCIS SO much. So so sad," she tweeted. Bones executive producer Stephen Nathan called Waite, who appeared on four episodes of the show from 2009-2013, a "wonderful man."
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
The Waltons had a great ensemble cast, and Ralph Waite's portrayal of the father was genuine and believable. His memory lives on in the repeats of that show, and a new generation of kids will be able to appreciate what he brought to the role. RIP.
 

prberk

Well-Known Member
Call me a geezer.....but....TV was just different back then...they don't make um like that anymore....

Like I have heard Walt Disney say about certain more successful films of his time, it had heart back then. It had warmth, and wasn't dripping with sarcasm at every turn like it is today.

Not just the dramas (like The Waltons), but the sitcoms were like that, too. Characters actually cared for one another and weren't just waiting for the next one-liner to jab someone with.

As to Ralph Waite, he played John Walton with a subtle strength that was worthy of being the father that he played. Men could learn from his character. Of course a lot of that was attributable to Earl Hamner, Jr., who created The Waltons based on his own experience growing up in the mountains of Schuyler, Virginia. But Ralph Waite understood the character and played him perfectly.
 

Dad 2 M & M

Well-Known Member
Like I have heard Walt Disney say about certain more successful films of his time, it had heart back then. It had warmth, and wasn't dripping with sarcasm at every turn like it is today.

Not just the dramas (like The Waltons), but the sitcoms were like that, too. Characters actually cared for one another and weren't just waiting for the next one-liner to jab someone with.

As to Ralph Waite, he played John Walton with a subtle strength that was worthy of being the father that he played. Men could learn from his character. Of course a lot of that was attributable to Earl Hamner, Jr., who created The Waltons based on his own experience growing up in the mountains of Schuyler, Virginia. But Ralph Waite understood the character and played him perfectly.
Well done...
 

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