Robert Ridgely


Actor

About

Also Known As
Robert Ritterbusch, Bob Ridgely
Birth Place
Teaneck, New Jersey, USA
Born
December 24, 1931
Died
February 08, 1997
Cause of Death
Cancer

Biography

Known for his robust voice, Robert Ridgely began his career as an actor. In the 1960s Ridgely guest-starred on such TV shows as the adventure series "Sea Hunt" and the ABC Western "Maverick." In 1962 he landed a recurring role as Lt. Frank Kimbro on "The Gallant Men," a series based on soldiers in World War II. That show was cancelled after a single season, but Ridgely continued to find ...

Family & Companions

Patricia Ridgely
Wife
Survived him.

Biography

Known for his robust voice, Robert Ridgely began his career as an actor. In the 1960s Ridgely guest-starred on such TV shows as the adventure series "Sea Hunt" and the ABC Western "Maverick." In 1962 he landed a recurring role as Lt. Frank Kimbro on "The Gallant Men," a series based on soldiers in World War II. That show was cancelled after a single season, but Ridgely continued to find acting work, most notably as a sleazy game show host in director Jonathan Demme's "Melvin and Howard." It was Ridgely's voice, however, described as both "smooth" and "booming," that earned him a steady paycheck. From the 1960s well into the 1990s he lent his voice to countless animated TV programs, with a specialty for voicing superheroes. Some of the more notable characters he voiced included Tarzan in "Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle" and Flash Gordon in "Flash Gordon." Oddly enough, one of Ridgely's most memorable acting roles, as the breezy adult film producer Colonel James in 1997's "Boogie Nights," would also turn out to be his last. He died of cancer a few months before the film was released.

Life Events

1957

Performed in "Fire Down Below"

1974

Appeared in Mell Brook's "Blazing Saddles"

1987

Featured in "Beverly Hills Cop II"

1993

Starred in "Philadelphia" and "Robin Hood: Men In Tights"

1994

Worked on "The Ref"

1997

Final film perfomance, as 'The Colonel' in Paul Thomas Anderson's "Boogie Nights"

Family

William Ritterbusch
Brother
Doctor. Survived him.

Companions

Patricia Ridgely
Wife
Survived him.

Bibliography