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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
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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."