Ralph Waite
Ralph Waite is a screen veteran who has outlasted trends, studios and formats. More of the credits fall under drama than under anything else. 59 years of work add up to around 48 titles. 'The Bodyguard' is the title most people reach for first, with Herb Farmer at the center of it. 'NCIS' belongs on any short list of his work. He started at 39.
Ralph Waite
30 Movies
18 Series
Ralph Waite is a screen veteran who has outlasted trends, studios and formats. More of the credits fall under drama than under anything else. 59 years of work add up to around 48 titles. 'The Bodyguard' is the title most people reach for first, with Herb Farmer at the center of it. 'NCIS' belongs on any short list of his work. He started at 39.
Movies
Plays Herb Farmer
The Bodyguard
1992
Plays Alibi
Cool Hand Luke
1967
Plays Frank
Cliffhanger
1993
Plays Elias Hooker
Chato's Land
1972
Plays Shadow (voice)
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco
1996
Plays Jim Mackay
The Magnificent Seven Ride!
1972
Plays Carl Fidelio Dupea
Five Easy Pieces
1970
Plays Jack Dekker
Lawman
1971
Plays Grandpa Ventura
Ace Ventura Jr: Pet Detective
2009
Plays Mathews
The Stone Killer
1973
Plays Mace
The Grissom Gang
1971
Plays Mr. Perryfield
Letters to God
2010
Plays Drummer
Kid Blue
1973
Plays Casey Lyle
Silver City
2004
Plays Lathan Hooks
Crash and Burn
1990
Plays Olson
The Sporting Club
1971
Plays Pete Cockrell
Trouble Man
1972
Plays Sean Magruder
A Lovely Way to Die
1968
Plays Furman Temple
Sunshine State
2002
Plays John
Hot Summer Week
1972
Plays Detective Cromie
The Pursuit of Happiness
1971
Plays Ed
25 Hill
2011
Plays John Chapman
The Secret Life of John Chapman
1976
Plays Drew McDermott
Sioux City
1994
Plays R.L. Dutton
Gabe the Cupid Dog
2012
Plays Man from Toledo
The Borgia Stick
1967
Plays The Traveler
Timequest
2003
Director
Plays C.G.
On the Nickel
1980
TV Shows
Director
Plays John Walton Sr.
The Waltons
1972
Plays Norman Belthus
Carnivàle
2003
Plays Ben Walker
The Mississippi
1983
Plays Jackson Gibbs
NCIS
2003
Plays Self
Dinah!
1974
Plays Hank Booth
Bones
2005
Plays Senator Proust
The Third Twin
1997
Plays Slater
Roots
1977
Plays Sheriff Montgomery
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
Plays Gene Morton
The Outer Limits
1995
Plays Sam Burton
Nichols
1971
Plays Hoby Miles
Bonanza
1959
Plays Irving Waller
Grey's Anatomy
2005
Plays Harry
Shannon's Deal
1990
Plays Lamont Carson
Time Trax
1993
Plays D.A. Paul Robbins
Murder, She Wrote
1984
Plays Walter Josephson
The Practice
1997
Plays Father Mike
Cane
2007
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Gabe the Cupid Dog
Full Filmography
NCIS
Jackson Gibbs · 7 episodes
2008–2013
TV
Bones
Hank Booth · 3 episodes
2009–2013
TV
Gabe the Cupid Dog
R.L. Dutton
2012
Film
25 Hill
Ed
2011
Film
Letters to God
Mr. Perryfield
2010
Film
Grey's Anatomy
Irving Waller · 1 episode
2009
TV
Ace Ventura Jr: Pet Detective
Grandpa Ventura
2009
Film
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Sheriff Montgomery · 1 episode
2008
TV
Cane
Father Mike · 1 episode
2007–
TV
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ralph Waite still alive?
Ralph Waite passed away on February 13, 2014 at age 85.
What are the most famous roles of Ralph Waite?
Ralph Waite is best known for roles in The Bodyguard, Cliffhanger, Cool Hand Luke.
How many movies has Ralph Waite been in?
Over a 47-year career (since 1967), Ralph Waite has appeared in 30 movies and 17 TV shows.
What was Ralph Waite's first movie?
The career of Ralph Waite began with The Borgia Stick (1967).
What is Ralph Waite's most recent movie or series?
Ralph Waite's most recent release is Gabe the Cupid Dog, which premiered on January 1, 2012.
What TV shows has Ralph Waite appeared in?
On television, Ralph Waite has appeared in Grey's Anatomy, Bones, NCIS, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Ralph Waite
1928-06-22 · White Plains, New York, USA
Ralph Waite (June 22, 1928 – February 13, 2014) was an American actor. His most famous role may be John Walton Sr. on the 1970s CBS TV series The Waltons, which he occasionally directed. He is also well known for his portrayal of the slave ship first mate Slater in the mini-series Roots. Later in his career, he appeared as Reverend Norman Balthus for 16 out of 24 episodes over the two seasons of the HBO series Carnivàle (2003–2005). He portrayed the recurring roles of Father Matt on the daytime serial Days of our Lives, of Jethro Gibbs's (Mark Harmon) father, Jackson Gibbs, on NCIS and of Seeley Booth's (David Boreanaz) grandfather, Hank Booth on Bones.