Ralph Waite was born in White Plains, New York on June 22, 1928. He graduated from Bucknell University with a BA degree and spent his early years trying to find his way in the world, taking on various occupations including social worker, religious editor, and even Presbyterian minister. At age 30, he discovered his true passion for acting.
Waite made his professional debut in the 1960 production of "The Balcony" at the Circle in the Square and later appeared on Broadway in "Blues for Mister Charlie" and "Hogan's Goat". He then began collecting bit parts in prestigious movies, including "Cool Hand Luke" and "Five Easy Pieces".
Waite continued to thrive on stage, appearing in both contemporary plays and Shakespearean classics. His big break came with the TV series "The Waltons", where he played the gentle patriarch John Walton. The show ran for nine seasons, and Waite also directed several episodes.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Waite expanded his acting career, appearing in TV mini-movies such as "Roots" and "The Secret Life of John Chapman", as well as films like "On the Nickel", which he wrote and directed.
Waite also returned to his theater roots, appearing in productions such as "Waiting for Godot" and "The Father". He founded the Los Angeles Actors Theatre in 1975 and served as its artistic director.
After "The Waltons" ended, Waite went on to appear in other TV shows and films, including "The Mississippi" and "NCIS". He also had a recurring role on the HBO series "Carnivàle" and began appearing on the daytime soap "Days of Our Lives" in 2009.
Waite had long held political ambitions, running for a Congressional seat twice, in 1990 and 1998. He died in Palm Desert, California on February 13, 2014, at the age of 85, leaving behind his third wife, Linda East, and two daughters from his first marriage.
