LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Ralph Waite, who played the good-hearted but soft-spoken patriarch on the 1970s U.S. television drama "The Waltons," died on Thursday in Southern California, the actor's ...

Ralph Waite, best known for starring in the CBS series 'The Waltons' from 1972 to 1981, died Thursday at his home in Palm Desert, Calif., at the age of 85.

Veteran character actor Ralph Waite -- who many knew best from his time on "The Waltons," though he also had regular roles in more recent series like "Bones" and "NCIS" -- has died. He was 85. Waite ...