Ned Wertimer (Ralph the Doorman) 1923-2013 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-08-2013, 08:16 PM

Link

Ned Wertimer, who played Ralph Hart the doorman on all 11 seasons of the comedy series "The Jeffersons" in the 1970s and 1980s, has died at age 89.

The retired actor passed away on January 2 at Sherman Village Health Care Center, outside of Los Angeles, from complications he suffered following a fall in his Burbank home in late November, his manager said in a statement obtained by OTRC.com on Tuesday.

Wertimer, was born in Buffalo, New York on October 27, 1923 and served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy in 1944 during World War II. He later attended the University of Pennsylvania, joined the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. During his time at college, he participated in an all-male musical troupe and in school plays.

He moved to New York after graduation and acted in several Broadway shows, such as "Texas L'il Darlin,'" and "Bye Bye Birdie," and on TV programs such as "The Shari Lewis Show," a popular children's puppet series. He later moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s and met the woman who would become his wife -- Dr. Skyne Uku.

"Wertimer was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Sidney Wertimer, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Skyne Uku-Wertimer, Professor Emerita at California State University Long Beach, and by his brother's wife, Mrs. Eleanor Walsh Wertimer, as well as one niece and three nephews," his manager said. "Across the pond, Ned also had in-laws on his wife's side in London, England and in Port Harcourt, Nigeria."

He added that Wertimer: had a passion for travel, which enriched his life and became a part of his most memorable years. His worldwide adventures included riding a camel in Egypt, riding an elephant in Thailand and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia."

"The Jeffersons" aired between 1975 and 1985. Sherman Hemsley, who played the main character, the abrasive George Jefferson, died in 2012 at age 74. Isabel Sanford, who played his wife Louise "Weezy" Jefferson, died in 2004 at age 86.

In addition to "The Jeffersons," Wertimer has appeared on shows such as "Mork & Mindy," "Happy Days," "Starsky and Hutch" and in 2007, he starred on an episode of "The Practice." That year, he also played a pirate in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

Wertimer has also appeared in films such as The Pack" in 1977, "Mame" in 1974, "Bad Company" in 1972 and "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" in 1964.

robyrob · 01-08-2013, 08:29 PM

cloggedmind · 01-08-2013, 08:40 PM

Another sad loss.

Brieannas21 · 01-08-2013, 09:43 PM

For some strange reason I thought that he died years ago. So sad

Mr. Television · 01-08-2013, 11:23 PM

Rest in Peace Ned. Such a wonderful character you created.

duckie · 01-09-2013, 12:10 AM

Looks like the only ones left is the housekeeper and George's daughter. RIP
I forgot about the second Lionel, I believe hes still living.

TVFactFan · 01-09-2013, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckie

Looks like the only ones left is the housekeeper and George's daughter. RIP
I forgot about the second Lionel, I believe hes still living.

Yeah, the 2nd Lionel, Jenny and Florence

catlover79 · 01-09-2013, 02:46 AM

So sad.

I guess we could count Ebonie Smith (little Jessica) amongst the surviving cast, even though she was only on for the last season or two.

comedyfreak · 01-09-2013, 05:07 AM

He lived a long life, born the same year as my Mom.

PrettyinPink55 · 01-09-2013, 12:34 PM

So sad!

May he rest in peace.

Marvo301 · 01-09-2013, 05:37 PM

Ned Wertimer

DJM77 · 01-09-2013, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

So sad.

I guess we could count Ebonie Smith (little Jessica) amongst the surviving cast, even though she was only on for the last season or two.

Although they were all minor chatacters, the following are also still living.

Danny Wells (Charlie)
Jay Hammer (Allan)
Ernest Harden Jr. (Marcus)

TVFactFan · 01-09-2013, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM77

Although they were all minor chatacters, the following are also still living.

Danny Wells (Charlie)
Jay Hammer (Allan)
Ernest Harden Jr. (Marcus)

Ebonie......NO

Jay Hammer.....YES

Ernest Harden.....NO

Danny Wells........YES

Larenz09 · 01-09-2013, 11:06 PM

He died on January 2, and they just announcing it NOW?!!!

TVFactFan · 01-09-2013, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larenz09

He died on January 2, and they just announcing it NOW?!!!

He was a minor character on the show so that's probably why. Not like it was Marla Gibbs

01-08-2013, 08:16 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,381	Ned Wertimer (Ralph the Doorman) 1923-2013 Link Ned Wertimer, who played Ralph Hart the doorman on all 11 seasons of the comedy series "The Jeffersons" in the 1970s and 1980s, has died at age 89. The retired actor passed away on January 2 at Sherman Village Health Care Center, outside of Los Angeles, from complications he suffered following a fall in his Burbank home in late November, his manager said in a statement obtained by OTRC.com on Tuesday. Wertimer, was born in Buffalo, New York on October 27, 1923 and served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy in 1944 during World War II. He later attended the University of Pennsylvania, joined the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. During his time at college, he participated in an all-male musical troupe and in school plays. He moved to New York after graduation and acted in several Broadway shows, such as "Texas L'il Darlin,'" and "Bye Bye Birdie," and on TV programs such as "The Shari Lewis Show," a popular children's puppet series. He later moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s and met the woman who would become his wife -- Dr. Skyne Uku. "Wertimer was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Sidney Wertimer, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Skyne Uku-Wertimer, Professor Emerita at California State University Long Beach, and by his brother's wife, Mrs. Eleanor Walsh Wertimer, as well as one niece and three nephews," his manager said. "Across the pond, Ned also had in-laws on his wife's side in London, England and in Port Harcourt, Nigeria." He added that Wertimer: had a passion for travel, which enriched his life and became a part of his most memorable years. His worldwide adventures included riding a camel in Egypt, riding an elephant in Thailand and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia." "The Jeffersons" aired between 1975 and 1985. Sherman Hemsley, who played the main character, the abrasive George Jefferson, died in 2012 at age 74. Isabel Sanford, who played his wife Louise "Weezy" Jefferson, died in 2004 at age 86. In addition to "The Jeffersons," Wertimer has appeared on shows such as "Mork & Mindy," "Happy Days," "Starsky and Hutch" and in 2007, he starred on an episode of "The Practice." That year, he also played a pirate in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." Wertimer has also appeared in films such as The Pack" in 1977, "Mame" in 1974, "Bad Company" in 1972 and "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" in 1964.
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01-08-2013, 08:29 PM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,192
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01-08-2013, 11:23 PM	#5
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	Rest in Peace Ned. Such a wonderful character you created.
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01-09-2013, 12:10 AM	#6
duckie Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 13, 2011 Location: south Posts: 1,784	Looks like the only ones left is the housekeeper and George's daughter. RIP I forgot about the second Lionel, I believe hes still living.
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01-09-2013, 02:46 AM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	So sad. I guess we could count Ebonie Smith (little Jessica) amongst the surviving cast, even though she was only on for the last season or two.
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01-08-2013, 08:40 PM	#3
cloggedmind Inactive Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 30, 2007 Posts: 529	Another sad loss.

01-08-2013, 09:43 PM	#4
Brieannas21 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 05, 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 9,792	For some strange reason I thought that he died years ago. So sad

01-09-2013, 05:07 AM	#9
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	He lived a long life, born the same year as my Mom.
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01-09-2013, 12:34 PM	#10
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	So sad! May he rest in peace.
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01-09-2013, 05:37 PM	#11
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Ned Wertimer
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01-09-2013, 11:06 PM	#14
Larenz09 Gary Coleman, we'll miss you! Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 12, 2008 Location: East Boston, MA. Posts: 659	He died on January 2, and they just announcing it NOW?!!!
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