(June 22, 1929- )
Born in White Plains, New York
Portrayed patriarch John Walton, Sr., in 'The Waltons' (1972-81) and Rev. Norman Balthus in 'Carnivale' (2003-05)
Appeared in 'Cool Hand Luke' (1967), 'Five Easy Pieces' (1970), 'Trouble Man' (1972), 'Roots' (1977), 'The Bodyguard' (1992), 'Cliffhanger' (1993) and 'Ace Ventura, Jr.: Pet Detective' (2009)

He was a social worker and a Congregational minister before deciding to take up acting.
He has been married three times and divorced twice.
He was an alcoholic.
He unsuccessfully ran for Congress twice.
The second time, he ran for the seat left vacant by the death of Sonny Bono only to lose to Bono's widow, Mary.

He has an authoritative but soothing baritone voice.
His heavy drinking was triggered partly by his daughter dying at age nine from leukemia.
He has been sober for over 30 years.
He met his current wife, Linda, in rehab.

Credit: C. Fishel

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