Thomas was Waite's co-star and on-screen son on "The Waltons," where he played John-Boy Walton. Go Inside Dallas Star Linda Grays Condo! This was followed by his Broadway debut in Marathon 33 (December 22, 1963 February 1, 1964). We've justgot to get through this. On February 13, 2014, Waite died in Palm Desert, California, of natural causes at age 85. Those included Roots (1977), for which he received an Emmy nomination, the title role in The Secret Life of John Chapman (1976), OHMS (1980), Angel City (1980) and The Gentleman Bandit (1981). Actor Ralph Waite portrayed the patriarch of "The Waltons" for nine seasons. Ralph Waite, who played the patriarch in "The Waltons," (left) passed away in 2014 at age 85. During rehearsals, Ralph would just break into Eric Claptons "I Shot the Sheriff," which he sang terribly. So I drove out to Malibu, but we just looked at each other and said, Nah, I dont think so. So all of our lovemaking was on-screen!, Ralph, who had a reputation as a serious stage actor with no great love for children when the series debuted, probably experienced the biggest life change after falling in love with the rest of the Waltons cast. The actor began dating Kerry Shear in 1975 after she pitched as a volunteer stage manager-actress at the LAAT. Details, Pink Is a Total Rockstar! It was just one of the chapters of his life, and it preceded the tragedy that almost ruined his life. Just before his death, his final role was on Days of Our Lives (1965). All rights reserved. I sat and chatted with her until I was ready to move on to the next person. Actor: The Waltons. And I think this particular iteration is going to really be a lovely offering this year for people. Waite had already developed his drinking problem by that time, and it got worse after 1964. And here we are six years later, with NCIS still on the air. As a child, he never attended a play or concert, nor did he go to church. At the age of thirty, Ralph Waite changed his career from book editor to actor. Ralph Waite, the big-hearted patriarch John Walton in the 70s Depression-era series The Waltons,passed away five years ago, on Feb. 13, 2014 at age 85 and one co-star who grew up with him still has vivid memories of the beloved actor. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Are you OK?" Actress Judy Norton still finds herself having a lot of respect for her The Waltons co-star Ralph Waite, even though he had a dark side.. Cotler spoke to Fox News about her relationship with Waite, how she feels about The Waltons today and why shes passionate about her current role. He then spent his young adult life trying to find his way. His eldest daughter, Sharon Waite, died of leukemia when she was 9 years old in 1964. The cast of the hit television series "The Waltons" poses for a promotional photo on January 1, 1972. What triggered his alcoholism more was when his oldest daughter, Sharon, then-9, passed away, and he left the ministry. 'THE WALTONS' STAR MICHAEL LEARNED TALKS REBOOT RUMORS, Ralph Waltie and Michael Learned in "The Waltons." And I have enormous faith that we'll all be back together again. I love Christmas. He played the role of Jackson Gibbs, Leroys father, and appeared in 8 episodes of the show before he died in 2014. He made his TV debut with the series Look Up and Live in 1966. I was pretty disciplined, but I just took it in stride. An Exclusive Interview with Ralph Waite The Waltons: Our producers had a unique opportunity to sit down with Ralph Waite during the shooting of Old Henry, an INSP original Short-Form series, to answer some of the questions that you recently submitted through the INSP Facebook page. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Ralph Waite might've been the ideal patriarch on "The Waltons," but he was married three times in real life and struggled with addiction. Served in the United States Marine Corps. Courtesy of Kami Cotler. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. And there was that ridiculous laugh when he was doing something silly like that. Occupations came and went, including social worker, religious editor for Harper & Row, and even Presbyterian minister after spending three years at the Yale School of Divinity. Fox News: Is it true youre a school principal now?Cotler: Im not at the very moment a school principal. He and his wife had welcomed three daughters by 1960, Sharon, Kathleen, and Suzanne. His later films included The Bodyguard, the part of Frank the helicopter pilot in the 1993 film Cliffhanger, and as the mysterious time traveler in Timequest (2002). He soon became a minister for United Church of Christ, Fishers Island. I think everyone will be able to enjoy it. Wanting more, the star looked for other roles that weren't so patriarchal and found that in several parts. We have three charter schools in LA. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. And we just have to muddle through somehow as the song says until that happens. Michael and I are still very, very, very close, as all of us are. And it wasnt until after he passed away that I thought, "He was checking in. I think I was giving away cocktail umbrellas that I had stolen from everybodys glasses and giving them out to people I wanted to meet. That enduring familial affection, along with the pride of belonging to a show that resonated with viewers all around the world, makes everyone who was part of The Waltons feel privileged to have played a part in the show. MORE: The Waltons Star Michael Learned Opens up for the First Time About Surviving Domestic Abuse, Eric recalls intense pressure to be on your spot, say your lines and dont make it difficult, but never received encouragement from the studio. And were standing by the raccoons grave and its pouring with pretend rain. Theres a lot of sitting around and waiting. 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One of those films, the coming-of-age Last Summer (1969) starred an up-and-coming talent named Richard Thomas, who, of course, would figure prominently in Waite's success story in years to come. Occupations came and went, including social worker, religious editor for Harper & Row, and even Presbyterian minister after spending three . Ralph married actress, Kerry Shear, on August 27, 1977, and this marriage too ended in a divorce on August 31, 1981. Ralph Waite returns to guest star in his role as Gibbs's father, Jackson Gibbs on NCIS in Los Angeles on August 28, 2012 | Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS/Getty Images, These included 1977's "Roots," 1976's "The Secret Life of John Chapman," 1980's "OHMS," and "Angel City," to name a few. See GMA Host Lara Spencers Bikini Photos, Why Did Sara Haines Disappear During an Episode of The View? As the year comes to an end, the 69-year-old has been reflecting on cherished memories, particularly those from his time filming The Waltons, which focuses on a family in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. Educated at Bucknell University where he graduated with a BA degree, Waite existed rather aimlessly as a young adult while trying to find his way in the world. Ralph was a terrible singer. Behind the scenes, the children were treated poorly, one actor struggled with alcoholism and, despite the popularity of the show, nobody was paid what they were worth. He lost all three times. The icon admitted she and her onscreen husband were deeply in love in real life. She was his favorite. But just the memory of working with all of those wonderful people, that's the thing that makes me happiest of all. In New York's White Plains on June 22, 1928, Ralph Harold Waite Jr.'s parents, Ralph H. Waite Sr. and Esther Waite, welcomed a future star. Besides his famous "Waltons" role, Waite also got to appear on the soap opera "Days of Our Lives" and as a guest star on "NCIS" and "Bones." It's, I think, the 17th version of it. Fox News: Why education?Cotler: I think acting was a great job for me as a child, but then I also had a very unusual situation in that I was on the same show for years and years. In 1998, Waite ran in the special election for the then-Palm Springs-based 44th district left vacant by the death of incumbent Sonny Bono. Fox News: What was it like working with Ralph Waite?Kami Cotler: Im the youngest of all the kids on the show, so my perspective comes from being a little kid. Well, I think it was a fitting tribute to Ralph, and done in a very different way, and certainly for us, a different kind of season ending, Harmon said. Fox News: Do you remember the last time you spoke to him?Cotler: Yes, very clearly. ET on PBS. He said he loved being appreciated and loved by his fans and acting allowed him to be of service to his community. And so we're very lucky we were able to do it that way. Ralph Waite smokes a cigar and enjoys a game of pool with his buddies in a scene from the movie "The Secret Life of John Chapman," circa 1976 | Photo: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images. Waite earned a master's degree from Yale University's Divinity School and was an ordained Presbyterian minister and religious editor at Harper & Row, New York, before deciding on an acting career. Fox News: You had the chance to meet Natalie Wood. Ralph Waite passed away on February 13, 2014. What was she like?Cotler: I knew who Natalie Wood was because my father was in love with Natalie Wood. 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. Norton, in an interview after Waite's death in 2014, recalled the actor from the long-running CBS family drama. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He confessed that people saw him as an icon and hero when they recognized him. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! The only reason he tried to act was that a friend suggested that he try acting school, which he did because he figured there was nothing to lose. Attended a play or concert, nor did he go to church, Sharon, then-9 passed... Patriarch of & quot ; the Waltons & quot ; for nine seasons district vacant..., 2014 and there was that ridiculous laugh when he was checking in ran in special... I are still very, very close, as all of those wonderful people, that 's thing! Just break into Eric Claptons `` I Shot the Sheriff, '' ( left ) passed away that I,. 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