Veteran character actor Ralph Waite -- who many knew best from his
time on "The Waltons," though he also had regular roles in more recent
series like "Bones" and "NCIS" -- has died.
He was 85.
Waite died on Thursday
afternoon at his Palm Desert, California, home, according to Steve
Gordon, his family accountant. Jane Mead, a representative of the Spirit
of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship that Waite attended regularly,
confirmed his death.
According to IMDB.com,
Waite was already a Hollywood veteran with parts in movies like "Cool
Hand Luke" and "Five Easy Pieces," plus TV series such as "Bonanza" when
he landed the role of John Walton Sr.
"The Waltons" struck a
chord with many viewers during its run from 1972 to 1981, with Waite
being a constant on that show as well as in several TV movies to follow.
Waite was twice nominated
for an Emmy, first in 1977 for supporting actor in a comedy or drama
series for "Roots" and the next year as lead actor in a drama for his
Waltons' role.
Waite also tried his hand
at politics, running unsuccessfully as a Democrat for a U.S.
representative seat that includes Palm Springs -- narrowly losing in
1990 and again in
1998 to Mary Bono, the widow of former congressman and "Sonny and Cher" star Sonny Bono.
These forays didn't stop Waite from continuing his day job, however.
He continued to score
regular roles, for instance, on TV shows like "The Mississippi," "Murder
One," "Carnivale," "The Practice" and "Grey's Anatomy."
In fact, Waite was busy
working right through last year playing recurring characters on not only
"Bones" and "NCIS" but also "Days of Our Lives."
Stephan Nathan, "Bones" executive producer, remembered Waites as "a wonderful man."
"A big loss,"
Nathan tweeted. "RIP."
Pauley Perrette, part of the "NCIS" cast, also tweeted condolences for the man she referred to as Papa Gibbs.
"We love him at NCIS SO much," Perrette said. "So so sad."
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