Ralph Morgan
Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann, known professionally as Ralph Morgan, was a Hollywood stage and film character actor, and union activist. He was a brother of actor Frank Morgan as well as the father of actress Claudia Morgan.
Early life
Morgan attended Trinity School, Riverview Military Academy and graduated from Columbia University with a law degree. However, after almost two years' practicing, he abandoned the world of jurisprudence for the vocation of journeyman actor, having already appeared in Columbia's annual Varsity Show. In 1905, billed as Raphael Kuhner Wupperman, he appeared in The Khan of Kathan, that year's variety show.
Career
His first role on the stage came in The Bachelor in 1909 and, in 1913, he joined the Summer stock cast at Denver's Elitch Theatre. Later he played John Marvin in the 1918 hit play, Lightnin'. Morgan made his debut in silent films in 1915, appearing in several productions made on the East Coast. In the early talkie era, he played such leading roles in such productions as Strange Interlude in 1932 and Rasputin and the Empress also in 1932.
A member of Equity in his younger days, Morgan was a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild. He would serve as its president twice.
One of his roles was in the 1942 serial Gang Busters, in which he played a brilliant surgeon turned master criminal. Morgan later worked in both radio and television, frequently in religious dramas filmed for Family Theater.
Recognition
Morgan has a star in the Motion Pictures section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1617 Vine Street. It was dedicated February 8, 1960. The Screen Actors Guild honored Morgan by naming an award after him that is awarded by the L.A. Local Honors and Tributes Committee each year, with the inscription stating, "Devotion to the cause of actors, courage to fight for the right and sacrifice of self for others."
Morgan died on June 11, 1956, aged 72, of a lung ailment.
Selected filmography
Seeds of Jealousy The Man Trail The Master of the House as Young Hoffman - the SonMadame X as Raymond FloriotThe Penny Philanthropist as Tom OliphantThe Man Who Found Himself as Edwin Macauley JrHonor Among Lovers as RiggsDance Team as Alex PrenticeCharlie Chan's Chance as Barry KirkCheaters at Play as Freddie IsquithAfter Tomorrow as Dr. Sullivan Disorderly Conduct as James CrawfordDevil's Lottery as Captain Geoffrey MaitlandStrange Interlude as Charlie MarsdenJungle Mystery as Recap Narrator Rasputin and the Empress as The Czar - Nicholai AlexanderThe Son-Daughter as Fang Fou HyHumanity as Dr. William MacDonaldTrick for Trick as AzrahShanghai Madness as Li Po ChangThe Power and the Glory as HenryDoctor Bull as Dr. Verney, Owner Verney LaboratoryWalls of Gold as J. Gordon RitchieThe Mad Game as Judge PenfieldThe Kennel Murder Case as Raymond Wrede - the SecretaryOrient Express as Dr. Richard CzinnerStand Up and Cheer! as Secretary to PresidentThe Last Gentleman as Henry LoringTheir Big Moment as Dr. PortmanShe Was a Lady as Stanley VaneA Girl of the Limberlost as Wesley SintonTransatlantic Merry-Go-Round as Herbert RossonHell in the Heavens as Lt. 'Pop' RogetLittle Men as Professor BhaerI've Been Around as John WaringThe Unwelcome Stranger as Mike MonahanStar of Midnight as Roger ClassonCalm Yourself as Mr. Kenneth S. RockwellCondemned to Live as Prof. Paul KristanMagnificent Obsession as RandolphMuss 'em Up as Jim Glenray, Paul's Brother in LawSpeed as Mr. DeanThe Ex-Mrs. Bradford as Leroy Hutchins, Warcloud's OwnerHuman Cargo as District Attorney CareyLittle Miss Nobody as Gerald DexterAnthony Adverse as Signore DebruilleYellowstone as James Foster / AndersonGeneral Spanky as Yankee GeneralCrack-Up as John R. FlemingThe Man in Blue as The 'Professor'Exclusive as Horace MitchellThe Outer Gate as John BordenThe Life of Emile Zola as Commander of ParisThat's My Story as CarterMannequin as BriggsWells Fargo as Nicholas PryorLove Is a Headache as Reginald 'Reggie' OdellWives Under Suspicion as Shaw MacAllenMother Carey's Chickens as Captain John CareyBarefoot Boy as John HaleArmy Girl as Maj. Hal KennettShadows Over Shanghai as Howard BarclayOut West with the Hardys as Bill NorthcoteOrphans of the Street as Martin SandsThe Lone Wolf Spy Hunt as SpiroFast and Loose as Nicholas TorrentMan of Conquest as Stephen F. AustinTrapped in the Sky as Colonel WhalenWay Down South as Timothy Reid Sr.Smuggled Cargo as John ClaytonGeronimo as Gen. SteeleForty Little Mothers as Judge Joseph M. WilliamsI'm Still Alive as Producer Walter BlakeThe Mad Doctor as Dr. Charles DownerAdventure in Washington as Senator CummingsDick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc. as J.P. MortonA Close Call for Ellery Queen as Alan RogersKlondike Fury as Dr. BradyGang Busters as Dr. Clayton Maxton - aka Prof. MortisA Gentleman After Dark as MorrisonNight Monster as Kurt IngstonThe Traitor Within as John Scott RyderHitler's Madman as Jan HankaStage Door Canteen as Ralph MorganJack London as George BrettThe Impostor as Col. DeBoivinWeird Woman as Prof. Millard SawtelleThe Monster Maker as LawrenceTrocadero as Sam WallaceThe Great Alaskan Mystery as Dr. MillerEnemy of Women as Mr. QuandtThe Monster and the Ape as Professor Franklin ArnoldHollywood and Vine as B.B. Lavish / Richard LavishThis Love of Ours as Dr. LaneBlack Market Babies as Dr. Henry JordonMr. District Attorney as Ed JamisonSong of the Thin Man as David I. ThayarThe Last Round-up as Charlie MasonSleep, My Love as Dr. RhinehartSword of the Avenger as Don Adolfo RiveraThe Creeper as Dr. Lester CavignyBlue Grass of Kentucky as Maj. Randolph McIvorHeart of the Rockies as Andrew WillardGold Fever as Nugget Jack