Robert Ridgely

Robert Ridgely was an American actor and voice artist, known for both on-camera roles and extensive voice-over work.

For the American ornithologist of the same name, see Robert S. Ridgely.
Robert Ridgely
BornDecember 24, 1931
Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedFebruary 8, 1997
Toluca Lake, California, U.S.
Other namesBob Ridgley
OccupationActor, voice artist
Years active1960–1997
Spouse(s)Patricia Ridgely (19??–1997)

Life and career

Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, Ridgely worked as a cabaret entertainer.[1]

Ridgley began acting in the 1960s, serving as a talk show host with Woody Woodbury. Ridgely appeared in commercials, including a classic McDonald's commercial, staged as a Broadway production number, where he sings "there is nothin' so clean – as my burger machine".

Ridgley guest starred on TV series such as Sea Hunt and the Warner Bros. Television series Maverick, Lawman, and Surfside 6. He landed a regular role as Lieutenant Kimbro in the short-lived World War II Warner Bros./ABC series The Gallant Men. After the series was cancelled, he made guest appearances on shows, including Bonanza, WKRP in Cincinnati, Coach, Night Court, Wings and Designing Women.

Ridgley appeared in various films, including two productions directed by Robert Altman early in his career, Nightmare in Chicago and Countdown. He also appeared in several Mel Brooks productions, including Blazing Saddles (1974), High Anxiety (1977), Life Stinks (1991) and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). Ridgley starred in other films, including Something Wild (1986), Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Philadelphia (1993) and Boogie Nights (1997).

Ridgely put his strong voice to use in voice-over roles in movies like Down and Dirty Duck (1974) and television specials such as Thanksgiving in the Land of Oz (aka Dorothy in the Land of Oz) (1980).

He did a great deal of voice work on animated series as well, including the titular heroes in Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, The New Adventures of Flash Gordon, and Thundarr the Barbarian. From 1985 to 1996, Ridgely was one of ABC's main primetime promo announcers. He also voiced the Peculiar Purple Pieman in the 1980s Strawberry Shortcake specials, General "Thunderbolt" Ross on The Incredible Hulk, Finch on Daisy-Head Mayzie, and Commander Chief in Dexter's Laboratory.[2]

Death

Ridgely died of cancer on February 8, 1997, in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles. He was 65 years old shortly before dying.[1]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1964 Nightmare in Chicago Dan McVeay
1971 Chrome and Hot Leather Sergeant Mack
1974 The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat Voice
1977 High Anxiety Flasher
1977 Raspberry Celebrity Sportsman Host
1980 Melvin and Howard Wally 'Mr. Love' Williams
1983 Heart Like a Wheel Bob Morton, 'Sportsline'
1984 The Wild Life Craig Davis
1986 Something Wild Richard Graves

1987

 Beverly Hills Cop II Mayor Ted Egan
1988 The Dirk Diggler Story Jack Horner Short Film
1993 Philadelphia Walter Kenton
1993 Robin Hood: Men in Tights Hangman
1994 The Ref Bob Burley
1996 Hard Eight Keno Bar Manager
1996 Multiplicity Laura's Father
1996 That Thing You Do! Hollywood Showcase Announcer
1997 Fire Down Below Simon Posthumous release
1997 Boogie Nights Colonel James Posthumous release; final film role

References
  1. Staff. "Robert Ridgely, 65, Film and TV Actor", The New York Times, February 16, 1997. Accessed December 4, 2013. "Mr. Ridgely, a native of Teaneck, N.J., began as a cabaret artist."
  2. Robert Ridgely - Behind the Voice Actors.com
Preceded by
Ron Ely		 Actors to portray Tarzan
1976-1981		 Succeeded by
Miles O'Keeffe
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