Ralph Waite, Patriarch in ‘The Waltons,’ Dies

I'm going that a moment to remember veteran character actor Ralph Waite. A multifaceted actor who became etched in television history as the craggy-faced, big-hearted patriarch of a rustic Depression-era clan on the popular 1970s dramatic series “The Waltons,” died the afternoon of February 14, 2014 at his home in Palm Desert, Calif at the age of 85. A Marine, a social worker, an ordained minister and an book editor before he took up acting and landing the part of a John Walton Sr., becoming one of the "Greatest TV Dads of All Time." 

Like most people my age in America, I kinda grew up with Ralph Waite on my TV screen. Whilst he didn't quite do it for me when he was at the height of his fame, it was later “The Waltons” TV movies were he got my attention. He carried a certain grizzled, rumpled, craggy-faced, settled-in benevolence, although he is quite capable of villainy thanks to other roles after “The Waltons” ended years earlier. He starred in the mid-’80s CBS drama The Mississippi and did arcs on Steven Bochco’s "Murder One" and HBO’s "Carnivale." He also played Father Matt in nearly 100 episodes of "Days Of Our Lives" and appeared in "Grey’s Anatomy", "CSI," "Cold Case" and "The Practice." He also worked on the big screen, including roles in "Cool Hand Luke," "Five Easy Pieces," "The Bodyguard" and "Cliffhanger."

"Cool Hand Luke" is memorable because Waite's only nude scene, that consisted of him forced to spend time in "the box", a small punishment room akin to an outhouse, and has to strip down to nothing and then wear a cotton nightshirt. A guard blocks the view for a moment, but then a clear, medium shot of his backside is shown and it's surprisingly not that bad! Wow. Who knew ol' pa Walton had such a beefy, round, appealing butt?

Waite had been in good health and appeared last year in 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." Waite clearly still had it all, the charm, the timing, the gravitas, the cheeky smile. Now, even though I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. It's still sad to hear he died. So here I am, reminiscing on the roles he played over the years and secretly lusting after papa Walton.

R.I.P. Mr. Waite

 I'm sure Will Geer got many hours of pleasure working on that set.  

 John and Olivia Walton

 Then & Now.

 Funny. When I first saw "Sioux City" (1994) years ago, it was all about Salli Richardson. Now, after watching it again, it’s all about Ralph Waite.

 Ralph all sweaty and dirty.

 The film is stuffed with tan, sweaty, hairy men who are frequently shirtless or in their underwear. 

 Wow! What an ass. 

 Jackson Gibbs on NCIS. 

 Ralph Waite as Hank Booth on "Bones."