Photos: ‘Waltons’ patriarch Ralph Waite dies at 85
February 14, 2014
Ralph Waite, who played the patriarch of the Virginia mountain-dwelling family that braved the Depression and World War II in "The Waltons," has died at age 85. He continued working as an actor, appearing in "Bones," "NCIS," and "Days of Our Lives," in 2013 episodes. (Courtesy photo)
This photo released by HBO shows Ralph Waite as Reverend Norman Balthus in the TV series, "Carnivale" on HBO. Waite, 85, who played the father in TV's hit series "The Waltons," has died. Waite's manager, Alan Mills, says the actor died midday Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, in the Palm Springs area. (AP Photo/HBO, Doug Hyun) ( Obit-Ralph Waite )
John and Olivia Walton (Ralph Waite and Michael Learned) in "The Waltons." (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
The cast of the television series "The Waltons," including Ralph Waite, top row, left, Richard Thomas, top row, center, and Michael Learned, top row, right. (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
This photo released by CBS shows Mark Harmon, left, as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and Ralph Waite, as Jackson Gibbs, in an episode, "Better Angels" in "NCIS," on the CBS Television Network. Waite, 85, who played the father in TV's hit series "The Waltons," has died. Waite's manager, Alan Mills, says the actor died midday Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, in the Palm Springs area. (AP Photo/CBS, Cliff Lipson) ( Obit-Ralph Waite )
"The Waltons" (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
Actor-director Corbin Bernsen, left, gestures and tries to move people as crew begin setting up a scene to film for "25 Hill" a story about the All-American Soap Box Derby, at Derby Downs, the home of the real All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Waiting are actors Ralph Waite, wearing blue jacket, and Nathan Gamble, wearing white shirt. Bernsen is producing, directing and starring in the production. (AP Photo/Phil Long) ( People Corbin Bernsen )
Earl Hamner (seated, foreground), the creator, executive producer and executive story consultant of "The Waltons," is surrounded by the cast of his television family. From left, the actors are: Kami Cotler, David W. Harper, Eric Scott, John Walmsley, Michael Learned, Ralph Waite, Ellen Corby, Mary McDonough, and Judy Norton Taylor. (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
Ralph Waite (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
Actor-director Corbin Bernsen, right, talks over a scene with actor Ralph Waite, before they begin filming "25 Hill" a movie about the All-American Soap Box Derby, at Derby Downs, the real All-American Soap Box Derby location in Akron, Ohio, Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Bernsen is producing, directing and starring in the production. (AP Photo/Phil Long) ( People Corbin Bernsen )
Bridegroom John-Boy Walton (Richard Thomas) and his bride Janet Gilchrist (Kate McNeil) are flanked by his parents, John and Olivia Walton (Ralph Waite and Michael Learned) in "The Waltons." (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
"The Waltons" (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
This photo released by HBO shows Ralph Waite as Reverend Norman Balthus in the TV series, "Carnivale" on HBO. Waite, 85, who played the father in TV's hit series "The Waltons," has died. Waite's manager, Alan Mills, says the actor died midday Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, in the Palm Springs area. (AP Photo/HBO, Doug Hyun) ( Obit-Ralph Waite )
Jennifer Warren, Ralph Waite and Robert MacNaughton in "Angel City." (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
Ralph Waite portrays a college professor who takes a sabbatical to work as a laborer in "The Secret Life of John Chapman." (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
2010: Ralph Waite guest stars as Jackson Gibbs in the eighth season premiere of NCIS, (Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS) ( NCIS )
2008: After two Marines are ambushed, the NCIS team finds the investigation leads back to Gibbs' hometown, where they meet up with Jackson Gibbs (guest star Ralph Waite, right), Leroy's (Mark Harmon, left) father on NCIS (Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS) ( NCIS )
Ralph Waite and Jennifer Warren star in "Angel City." (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
Ralph Waite portrays a priest accused of armed robbery and Estelle Parsons plays a supportive parishioner in "The Gentleman Bandit." (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
2012: A petty officer is gunned down in a billionaire's Ferrari and the investigation leads the NCIS team to discover a link to a man Gibbs was named after, on NCIS. Ralph Waite (pictured) returns to guest star in his role as Gibbs' father, Jackson Gibbs (Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS) ( NCIS )
Ralph Waite in "The Waltons." (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
Ralph Waite (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
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