Robert Ridgely(1931-1997)
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Vocal artist and character actor supreme Robert Ridgely was born on December 24, 1931 under the name of Robert Ritterbusch in New Jersey. Ridgely started out as a cabaret entertainer. In the late 1950s, he recorded 45 RPM singles for Decca Records under the name of Bob Ritterbush and as Bob Ritterbusch and Robert Ridgely after changing his name to the latter. He began his television acting career in
the early 1960s with guest appearances on such TV shows asSurfside 6 (1960),
Sea Hunt (1958),andMaverick (1957).He had a recurring role as Lt. Frank
Kimbro on the short-lived World War II TV seriesThe Gallant Men (1962).He made his film debut in the 1963 featureFBI Code 98 (1963).Ridgely was occasionally cast as sleazy charmers such as unctuous emcees and announcers.
He popped up in four comedies for Mel Brooks:Blazing Saddles (1974),High Anxiety (1977),Life Stinks (1991),andRobin Hood: Men in Tights (1993).Moreover, Ridgely was in several pictures for director Jonathan Demme;he's especially memorable (and delightful) as smarmy game show host Wally "Mr. Love" Williams in the wonderfulMelvin and Howard (1980).Other noteworthy movie roles are boozy, moonshine-running airplane pilot Lester Boggs in the rowdy redneck rompThe Great Lester Boggs (1974),radio talk show host Bob Morton inHeart Like a Wheel (1983),and Los Angeles Mayor Ted Egan inBeverly Hills Cop II (1987).
Ridgely lent his voice to countless animated TV programs and cartoon features; the characters he voiced include Tarzan inTarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1976),Flash Gordon inFlash Gordon (1979),the Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak in theThe World of Strawberry Shortcake (1980)and TV specials, and Thundarr inThundarr the Barbarian (1980).Among the TV shows on which he had guest spots wereDesigning Women (1986),Newhart (1982),Night Court (1984),Hunter (1984),The Incredible Hulk (1977),WKRP in Cincinnati (1978),Kung Fu (1972),andGet Smart (1965).In addition, he did voice-over work for numerous TV commercials. He gave a robust and engaging performance as jolly porno producer the Colonel James in the fantasticBoogie Nights (1997),which turned out to be his last movie and a worthy closer to his long and distinguished career.
Robert Ridgely died at age 65 from cancer on February 8, 1997 in Toluca Lake, California.
He popped up in four comedies for Mel Brooks:Blazing Saddles (1974),High Anxiety (1977),Life Stinks (1991),andRobin Hood: Men in Tights (1993).Moreover, Ridgely was in several pictures for director Jonathan Demme;he's especially memorable (and delightful) as smarmy game show host Wally "Mr. Love" Williams in the wonderfulMelvin and Howard (1980).Other noteworthy movie roles are boozy, moonshine-running airplane pilot Lester Boggs in the rowdy redneck rompThe Great Lester Boggs (1974),radio talk show host Bob Morton inHeart Like a Wheel (1983),and Los Angeles Mayor Ted Egan inBeverly Hills Cop II (1987).
Ridgely lent his voice to countless animated TV programs and cartoon features; the characters he voiced include Tarzan inTarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1976),Flash Gordon inFlash Gordon (1979),the Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak in theThe World of Strawberry Shortcake (1980)and TV specials, and Thundarr inThundarr the Barbarian (1980).Among the TV shows on which he had guest spots wereDesigning Women (1986),Newhart (1982),Night Court (1984),Hunter (1984),The Incredible Hulk (1977),WKRP in Cincinnati (1978),Kung Fu (1972),andGet Smart (1965).In addition, he did voice-over work for numerous TV commercials. He gave a robust and engaging performance as jolly porno producer the Colonel James in the fantasticBoogie Nights (1997),which turned out to be his last movie and a worthy closer to his long and distinguished career.
Robert Ridgely died at age 65 from cancer on February 8, 1997 in Toluca Lake, California.
