Richard Ward (March 15, 1915 â€" July 1, 1979) was a gravel-voiced
African American actor on the stage, television, and in films, from
1949 until his death. Though best known through his TV appearances
late in life, both in sitcoms and police procedurals, Ward also had an
extensive film resume and a distinguished stage career, one of the
highlights of the latter being his portrayal of Willy Loman in the
1972 production of Death of a Salesman, staged in Baltimore's Center
Stage (the first African American production of Arthur Miller's
signature opus, produced with the playwright's blessing). Ward's own
favorite among his theatrical vehicles was Ceremonies in Dark Old
Men.Ward was born in Glenside, Pennsylvania. He worked as a New York
City police detective for ten years before beginning his acting
career. An Actors Studio alumnus, Ward belatedly made his television
debut in 1950 on the Perry Como Show, later appearing on dramatic
anthology series such as Playhouse 90, Studio One, and Hallmark Hall
of Fame, before becoming a familiar face on seventies sitcoms like
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, All in the Family and The Jeffersons.Ward
made three guest appearances on Good Times as James's dad Henry (the
name that James was known by on Maude), who had walked out on James'
mom and siblings when he was younger. The first episode he appeared
on, Henry was discovered by Thelma at ship port where he was working
and she brought him home to surprise James for his birthday. At first,
James didn't want to see him, but after a deep conversation, Henry was
welcomed by his son to join the celebration. James wished he could
have 100 more years with his dad. The other two episodes Henry
appeared on were after James' death. On Sanford and Son, Ward appeared
in the episode "The Stung" (1975); in it, Fred asks a professional
gambler (played by Ward) to teach Lamont and his friends a lesson. In
the pilot film for the cop show, Starsky & Hutch, Ward played Captain
Dobey, though in the series itself that role was played by Bernie
Hamilton. Ward did appear as a different character in one episode in
the final series, shortly before his death of a heart attack.
African American actor on the stage, television, and in films, from
1949 until his death. Though best known through his TV appearances
late in life, both in sitcoms and police procedurals, Ward also had an
extensive film resume and a distinguished stage career, one of the
highlights of the latter being his portrayal of Willy Loman in the
1972 production of Death of a Salesman, staged in Baltimore's Center
Stage (the first African American production of Arthur Miller's
signature opus, produced with the playwright's blessing). Ward's own
favorite among his theatrical vehicles was Ceremonies in Dark Old
Men.Ward was born in Glenside, Pennsylvania. He worked as a New York
City police detective for ten years before beginning his acting
career. An Actors Studio alumnus, Ward belatedly made his television
debut in 1950 on the Perry Como Show, later appearing on dramatic
anthology series such as Playhouse 90, Studio One, and Hallmark Hall
of Fame, before becoming a familiar face on seventies sitcoms like
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, All in the Family and The Jeffersons.Ward
made three guest appearances on Good Times as James's dad Henry (the
name that James was known by on Maude), who had walked out on James'
mom and siblings when he was younger. The first episode he appeared
on, Henry was discovered by Thelma at ship port where he was working
and she brought him home to surprise James for his birthday. At first,
James didn't want to see him, but after a deep conversation, Henry was
welcomed by his son to join the celebration. James wished he could
have 100 more years with his dad. The other two episodes Henry
appeared on were after James' death. On Sanford and Son, Ward appeared
in the episode "The Stung" (1975); in it, Fred asks a professional
gambler (played by Ward) to teach Lamont and his friends a lesson. In
the pilot film for the cop show, Starsky & Hutch, Ward played Captain
Dobey, though in the series itself that role was played by Bernie
Hamilton. Ward did appear as a different character in one episode in
the final series, shortly before his death of a heart attack.
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