Ralph Bellamy was an American actor known for his roles in films such as Pretty Woman, Rosemary’s Baby, and Trading Places.
Personal and Family Life
Ralph Rexford Bellamy was born on June 17, 1904, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Lilla Louise Smith and Charles Rexford Bellamy. Throughout his life, he was married four times, with his final marriage to Alice Murphy lasting from 1949 until his passing in 1991. He had two children from previous marriages.
Career
Bellamy started acting in high school and joined a traveling Shakespearean company. He made his Broadway debut in 1929 and went on to appear in over 100 films. He often played the “other man” in romantic roles, and his portrayal of Franklin D. Roosevelt in Sunrise at Campobello received critical acclaim, winning him a Tony Award. He also made significant contributions to television, starring in shows like Man Against Crime and The Eleventh Hour.
Death and Legacy
Ralph Bellamy passed away from a lung ailment on November 29, 1991, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 87. He was honored with an honorary Academy Award in 1987 for his contributions to film and theater, and he is remembered as a champion for actors’ rights, having helped establish the Screen Actors Guild.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Pretty Woman | 1990-03-23 | James Morse |
| Meet the Wildcat | 1940-10-22 | Lt. Brad Williams |
| Rosemary’s Baby | 1968-06-12 | Dr. Sapirstein |
| Trading Places | 1983-06-07 | Randolph Duke |
| The Ghost of Frankenstein | 1942-03-13 | Erik Ernst |
| His Girl Friday | 1940-01-18 | Bruce Baldwin |
| Lady on a Train | 1945-08-03 | Jonathan Waring |
| The Professionals | 1966-11-01 | Grant |
| Disorderlies | 1987-08-14 | Albert Dennison |
| Hands Across the Table | 1935-10-18 | Allen Macklyn |