Ralph Waite Video | Celebrity Interview and Paparazzi

Ralph Waite (born June 22, 1928) is an American actor, whose most notable role was playing John Walton Sr. on the 1970s CBS TV series The Waltons, which he also occasionally directed. He is also known for his portrayal of the slave ship third mate Slater, in the mini-series Roots. In addition, he has appeared in many guest roles on numerous television series portraying a large variety of roles. Waite, the oldest of five children, was born in White Plains, New York, the son of Esther (née Mitchell) and Ralph H. Waite, a construction engineer. Before becoming an actor, Waite, served in the... MORE

Ralph Waite (born June 22, 1928) is an American actor, whose most notable role was playing John Walton Sr. on the 1970s CBS TV series The Waltons, which he also occasionally directed. He is also known for his portrayal of the slave ship third mate Slater, in the mini-series Roots. In addition, he has appeared in many guest roles on numerous television series portraying a large variety of roles. Waite, the oldest of five children, was born in White Plains, New York, the son of Esther (née Mitchell) and Ralph H. Waite, a construction engineer. Before becoming an actor, Waite, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948, graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and briefly was a social worker. He earned a master's degree from Yale University Divinity School and was a Presbyterian minister and religious editor at Harper & Row in New York City before deciding on a career in acting. He is a former member of the Peninsula Players summer theater program during the 1963 season. Ralph Waite has married three times; two of his marriages ended in divorce. He had three daughters from his first marriage. One of his daughters died when she was nine years old. His LESS