Jeffersons Star Ned Wertimer Dies at 89
Ned Wertimer
Ned Wertimer, who played Ralph the Doorman for 11 seasons on The Jeffersons, died Jan. 2 from complications related to a fall, The Associated Press reports. He was 89.
Wertimer died in a Los Angeles-area nursing home, his manager Brad Lemack said. The actor fell at his Burbank, Calif., home in November.
Throughout his career, Wertimer also appeared on other programs, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mork & Mindy and Gunsmoke. He also had roles in several films, most recently a bit part in 2007's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Wertimer served as a pilot in World War II and later received a degree in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.
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His acting career began on Broadway in the late 1940s, and he graduated to television while still maintaining a presence in the theater. His stage credits included Bye Bye Birdie, A Man for All Seasons, Annie Get Your Gun.
In the 1960s, Wertimer moved to Los Angeles to focus on his television career. He made his debut on The Jeffersons as Ralph, the doorman who was "always looking for a tip" in 1975.
Wertimer is survived by his wife, Skyne; a sister in law; a niece and three nephews.