Ralph Waite (born June 22, 1928) is an American actor. His most famous role may be John Walton Sr. on the 1970s CBS TV series The Waltons, which he occasionally directed. He is also well known for his portrayal of the slave ship first mate Slater in the mini-series Roots. More recently, he appeared as Reverend Norman Balthus for 16 out of 24 episodes over the two seasons of the HBO series Carnivàle (2003–2005). Currently, he has been portraying the 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.
Known For
Cliffhanger
(1993)
Frank
The Bodyguard
(1992)
Herb Farmer
Chato's Land
(1972)
Elias Hooker
Cool Hand Luke
(1967)
Alibi
Silver City
(2004)
Casey Lyle
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco
(1996)
Shadow (voice)
Lawman
(1971)
Jack Dekker
Five Easy Pieces
(1970)
Carl Fidelio Dupea
The Stone Killer
(1973)
Mathews
Ace Ventura Jr: Pet Detective
(2009)
Grandpa Ventura
The Magnificent Seven Ride!
(1972)
Jim Mackay
Letters to God
(2010)
Mr. Perryfield
Trouble Man
(1972)
Pete Cockrell
The President's Man
(2000)
President Mathews
Sioux City
(1994)
Drew McDermott
Full Filmography
Acting
Cool Hand Luke
(1967)
Alibi
The Desperate Hours
(1967)
Lt. Fredericks
The Borgia Stick
(1967)
Man from Toledo
A Lovely Way to Die
(1968)
Sean Magruder
Last Summer
(1969)
Peter's father (uncredited)
Five Easy Pieces
(1970)
Carl Fidelio Dupea
Lawman
(1971)
Jack Dekker
The Sporting Club
(1971)
Olson
The Grissom Gang
(1971)
Mace
The Pursuit of Happiness
(1971)
Detective Cromie
Trouble Man
(1972)
Pete Cockrell
Chato's Land
(1972)
Elias Hooker
The Magnificent Seven Ride!
(1972)
Jim Mackay
Hot Summer Week
(1972)
John
Kid Blue
(1973)
Drummer
The Stone Killer
(1973)
Mathews
The Secret Life of John Chapman
(1976)
John Chapman
Red Alert
(1977)
Henry Stone
Angel City
(1980)
Jared Teeter
On the Nickel
(1980)
C.G.
OHMS
(1980)
Floyd Wing
The Gentleman Bandit
(1981)
Father Bernard Pagano
Mother's Day on Waltons Mountain
(1982)
John Walton
A Day for Thanks on Waltons Mountain
(1982)
John Walton
A Wedding on Waltons Mountain
(1982)
John Walton
A Good Sport
(1984)
Tommy O'Bannon
Crime of Innocence
(1985)
Frank Hayward
Good Old Boy: A Delta Boyhood
(1988)
Narrator (voice)
Snake Treaty
(1989)
Crash and Burn
(1990)
Lathan Hooks
Sparks: The Price of Passion
(1990)
Orville Lemon
Wild by Law
(1991)
Aldo Leopold (voice)
The Bodyguard
(1992)
Herb Farmer
Cliffhanger
(1993)
Frank
A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion
(1993)
John Walton
Sin and Redemption
(1994)
Cal Simms
Sioux City
(1994)
Drew McDermott
Keys
(1994)
Dr. C.J. Halligan
A Season of Hope
(1995)
Sam Hackett
A Walton Wedding
(1995)
John Walton
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco
(1996)
Shadow (voice)
A Walton Easter
(1997)
John Walton
The President's Man
(2000)
President Mathews
Spirit
(2001)
Jacob Hardesty
Sunshine State
(2002)
Furman Temple
Blessings
(2003)
Sheriff
Timequest
(2003)
The Traveler
Silver City
(2004)
Casey Lyle
Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses
(2007)
Jacob Brawley
Generation Gap
(2008)
Chick
Ace Ventura Jr: Pet Detective
(2009)
Grandpa Ventura
Letters to God
(2010)
Mr. Perryfield
Heart of a Hero
(2011)
Ed
Gabe the Cupid Dog
(2012)
R.L. Dutton
Directing
Writing
Production