Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann (July 6, 1883 â€" June 11, 1956), known
professionally as Ralph Morgan, was a Hollywood stage and film
character actor, and the older brother of Frank Morgan.Morgan was born
in New York City, the eighth of eleven children of Josephine Wright
(née Hancox) and George Diogracia Wuppermann. His mother was a
Mayflower descendant. His father, George Wuppermann, was of Spanish
and German lineage. Born in Venezuela and raised in Germany, he later
immigrated to the United States. He had made a fortune by distributing
Angostura bitters, allowing him to send all of his children to
universities.Morgan attended Trinity School, Riverview Military
Academy and graduated from Columbia University with a law degree.
However, after almost two years' practicing, he abandoned the world of
jurisprudence for the vocation of journeyman actor, having already
appeared in Columbia's annual Varsity Show. In 1905, billed as Raphael
Kuhner Wupperman, he appeared in The Khan of Kathan, that year's
variety show.Morgan became so successful in stock and on Broadway that
his younger brother, Frank, was encouraged to give acting a try, using
the same surname as Ralph for his stage name. His career would
eventually overshadow that of Ralph.
professionally as Ralph Morgan, was a Hollywood stage and film
character actor, and the older brother of Frank Morgan.Morgan was born
in New York City, the eighth of eleven children of Josephine Wright
(née Hancox) and George Diogracia Wuppermann. His mother was a
Mayflower descendant. His father, George Wuppermann, was of Spanish
and German lineage. Born in Venezuela and raised in Germany, he later
immigrated to the United States. He had made a fortune by distributing
Angostura bitters, allowing him to send all of his children to
universities.Morgan attended Trinity School, Riverview Military
Academy and graduated from Columbia University with a law degree.
However, after almost two years' practicing, he abandoned the world of
jurisprudence for the vocation of journeyman actor, having already
appeared in Columbia's annual Varsity Show. In 1905, billed as Raphael
Kuhner Wupperman, he appeared in The Khan of Kathan, that year's
variety show.Morgan became so successful in stock and on Broadway that
his younger brother, Frank, was encouraged to give acting a try, using
the same surname as Ralph for his stage name. His career would
eventually overshadow that of Ralph.
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