Wilton Graff (born Wilton Calvert Ratcliffe; August 13, 1903 – January 13, 1969) was an American actor.

Early years

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Graff, he was born Wilton Calvert Ratcliffe in St. Louis, Missouri, US. He graduated from West Hartford High School in 1921.

Career

Before he became an actor, Graff worked for newspapers, including '' The Hartford Times'', '' The Springfield Republican'', and the '' Paris Herald''. Graff debuted on Broadway in ''Fantasia'' (1933). His last Broadway appearance was in ''Gabrielle'' (1941). He began working in movies in the 1940s and eventually appeared in dozens, usually as a professional man or an authority figure, such as a military officer. He starred in only one film, ''Bloodlust!'', playing against type as an obvious, deranged villain. Most of his work in the last 10 years of his career was on television. In 1956, he guest starred on James Arness’s TV Western Series ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central chara ...

'', as “Troy Carver”, in the episode “20-20” (S1E19) as an aging lawman losing both his eyesight and his faith in his ability to handle his job.

Personal life

Graff was married twice, firstly to Mary Goodwin, from August 6, 1938, until her death on April 11, 1950. They had one child, Nancy Graff. On June 12, 1952, he married Elizabeth W. Wilson, and they remained together until his death.

Death

Graff died in Pacific Palisades, California on January 14, 1969. He was 65 years old.

Partial filmography

* '' Earl of Puddlestone'' (1940) – Mr. Thayer (uncredited) * '' Jungle Queen'' (1945, Serial) – Courier (uncredited) * '' A Royal Scandal'' (1945) – Russian General (uncredited) * ''

Earl Carroll Vanities ''Earl Carroll Vanities'' is a 1945 American musical film directed by Joseph Santley and written by Frank Gill Jr. The film stars Dennis O'Keefe, Constance Moore, Eve Arden, Otto Kruger, Alan Mowbray and Stephanie Bachelor. It was released on Ap ...

'' (1945) – Mr. Thayer * ''

Counter-Attack A counterattack is a tactic employed in response to an attack, with the term originating in "war games". The general objective is to negate or thwart the advantage gained by the enemy during attack, while the specific objectives typically seek ...

'' (1945) – Russian Officer (uncredited) * ''

Gangs of the Waterfront ''Gangs of the Waterfront'' is a 1945 American crime drama film directed by George Blair, and based on an original story by Samuel Fuller. Robert Armstrong has a dual role as Dutch Malone, a gang leader, and a taxidermist Peter Winkly who is i ...

'' (1945) – Police Commissioner Hogan * ''

Strange Confession ''Strange Confession'' is a 1945 Inner Sanctum film noir mystery horror film, released by Universal Pictures and starring Lon Chaney Jr., J. Carrol Naish and Brenda Joyce. The film was directed by John Hoffman and was later rereleased unde ...

'' (1945) – Brandon * ''

An Angel Comes to Brooklyn ''An Angel Comes to Brooklyn'' is a 1945 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by June Carroll and Stanley Paley. The film stars Kaye Dowd, Robert Duke, David Street, Barbara Perry, Charles Kemper and Marguerite d'Alvare ...

'' (1945) – Rodney Lloyd * ''

Pillow of Death ''Pillow of Death'' is a 1945 film noir mystery horror film directed by Wallace Fox and starring Lon Chaney, Jr. and Brenda Joyce. The last of the Inner Sanctum mystery films, it is based on a story by Dwight V. Babcock. The "Inner Sanctum" f ...

'' (1945) – Police Captain McCracken * ''

Because of Him ''Because of Him'' is a 1946 American romantic comedy film directed by Richard Wallace and starring Deanna Durbin, Charles Laughton and Franchot Tone. Plot Kim Walker (Deanna Durbin) is an ambitious waitress who dreams of being on the stage. ...

'' (1946) – Stage Manager (uncredited) * '' Just Before Dawn'' (1946) – Alexander 'Alec' Girard (uncredited) * '' The Phantom Thief'' (1946) – Rex Duncan * ''

Valley of the Zombies ''Valley of the Zombies'' is a 1946 American horror film directed by Philip Ford, written by Dorrell McGowan and Stuart E. McGowan, and starring Robert Livingston, Adrian Booth, Ian Keith, Thomas E. Jackson, Charles Trowbridge and Earle Hodg ...

'' (1946) – Dr. Lucifer Garland * ''

Traffic in Crime ''Traffic in Crime'' is a 1946 American action film directed by Lesley Selander, written by David Lang, and starring Kane Richmond, Anne Nagel, Adele Mara, Wade Crosby, Wilton Graff and Roy Barcroft. It was released on June 28, 1946, by Republic ...

'' (1946) – Nick Cantrell * ''

Avalanche An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope, such as a hill or mountain. Avalanches can be set off spontaneously, by such factors as increased precipitation or snowpack weakening, or by external means such as humans, animals, and ea ...

'' (1946) – Jeremy Austin * '' The Unknown'' (1946) – Ralph Martin * ''

Shadowed ''Shadowed'', also known as ''The Gloved Hand'', is a 1946 American film noir crime film directed by John Sturges and starring Anita Louise, Lloyd Corrigan, and Robert Scott. Plot Salesman Fred J. Johnson manages to hit a hole-in-one as he play ...

'' (1946) – Tony Montague * ''

Dead Reckoning In navigation, dead reckoning is the process of calculating current position of some moving object by using a previously determined position, or fix, and then incorporating estimates of speed, heading direction, and course over elapsed time. ...

'' (1947) – Surgeon (uncredited) * ''

The Web The World Wide Web (WWW), commonly known as the Web, is an information system enabling documents and other web resources to be accessed over the Internet. Documents and downloadable media are made available to the network through we ...

'' (1947) – District Attorney * ''

The Corpse Came C.O.D. ''The Corpse Came C.O.D.'' is a 1947 American comedy- mystery film directed by Henry Levin, produced by Samuel Bischoff and starring George Brent and Joan Blondell. The comedic mystery is notable for featuring cameos by Hollywood gossip column ...

'' (1947) – Maxwell Kenyon (uncredited) * '' High Conquest'' (1947) – Mr. Douglaston * ''

They Won't Believe Me ''They Won't Believe Me'' is a 1947 black-and-white film noir directed by Irving Pichel and starring Robert Young, Susan Hayward and Jane Greer. It was produced by Alfred Hitchcock's longtime assistant and collaborator, Joan Harrison. Plot Af ...

'' (1947) – Patrick Gold – Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited) * ''

Something in the Wind ''Something in the Wind'' is a 1947 American musical comedy film directed by Irving Pichel and starring Deanna Durbin, Donald O'Connor, and John Dall. Durbin's third husband Charles David said she "hated" making her last three films and that she ...

'' (1947) – Mr. Belton (uncredited) * '' Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back'' (1947) – Cedric Mason * '' Key Witness'' (1947) – Albert Loring * ''

Gentleman's Agreement A gentlemen's agreement, or gentleman's agreement, is an informal and legally non-binding agreement between two or more parties. It is typically oral, but it may be written or simply understood as part of an unspoken agreement by convention or th ...

'' (1947) – Maitre d' (uncredited) * '' A Double Life'' (1947) – Dr. Mervin * ''

A Woman's Vengeance ''A Woman's Vengeance'' is a 1948 American film noir drama mystery film directed by Zoltán Korda and starring Charles Boyer, Ann Blyth, Jessica Tandy, Cedric Hardwicke, Rachel Kempson, and Mildred Natwick. The screenplay by Aldous Huxley was bas ...

'' (1948) – Defending Counselor (uncredited) * ''

The Wreck of the Hesperus "The Wreck of the Hesperus" is a narrative poem by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, first published in ''Ballads and Other Poems'' in 1842. It is a story that presents the tragic consequences of a skipper's pride. On an ill-fated voyag ...

'' (1948) – Caleb Cross * ''

The Return of the Whistler ''The Return of the Whistler'' is a 1948 American mystery film noir based on the radio drama ''The Whistler''. Directed by D. Ross Lederman, the production features Michael Duane, Lenore Aubert, and Dick Lane. This is the eighth and final e ...

'' (1948) – Dr. Bertram H. Grantland (uncredited) * '' Who Killed Doc Robbin'' (1948) – Prosecutor * ''

Another Part of the Forest ''Another Part of the Forest'' is a 1946 play by Lillian Hellman, a prequel to her 1939 drama '' The Little Foxes''. Plot synopsis Set in the fictional town of Bowden, Alabama, in June 1880, the plot focuses on the wealthy, ruthless, and innate ...

'' (1948) – Sam Taylor * ''

The Babe Ruth Story ''The Babe Ruth Story'' is a 1948 biographical film of Babe Ruth, the famed New York Yankees slugger. It stars William Bendix (New York Yankee batboy in the 1920s) as the ballplayer and Claire Trevor as his wife Claire Merritt Hodgson. Critics ...

'' (1948) – Dr. Beldon (uncredited) * ''

The Gentleman from Nowhere ''The Gentleman from Nowhere'' is a 1948 American crime-drama film directed by William Castle. Plot Warner Baxter plays a security guard, wounded in a robbery of furs, who arouses the suspicions of an insurance investigator. The guard may or ...

'' (1948) – Larry Hendricks * ''

The Gallant Blade ''The Gallant Blade'' is a 1948 American Cinecolor adventure film directed by Henry Levin and starring Larry Parks as a peasant hero of France in the 17th century after the Thirty Years' War. Cast *Larry Parks as Lt. David Picard * Marguerite Ch ...

'' (1948) – Duc, d'Orleans * '' The Mozart Story'' (1948) – Antonio Salieri * ''

Family Honeymoon ''Family Honeymoon'' is a 1949 domestic comedy film made by Universal International, directed by Claude Binyon, and written by Dane Lussier, based on novel by Homer Croy. It was shot in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Plot Katie Armstrong ...

'' (1948) – Dr. Wilson (uncredited) * '' The Dark Past'' (1948) – Frank Stevens * ''

Caught Caught is a method of dismissing a batsman in cricket. A batsman is out caught if the batsman hits the ball, from a legitimate delivery, with the bat, and the ball is caught by the bowler or a fielder before it hits the ground. If the ball h ...

'' (1949) – Gentry (uncredited) * ''

Blondie's Big Deal ''Blondie's Big Deal'' is a 1949 American comedy film directed by Edward Bernds and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake (actor), Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, Marjorie Ann Mutchie. It is the twenty-fifth of the 28 Blondie films. Plot Dagwood acci ...

'' (1949) – Joe Dillon * ''

Take Me Out to the Ball Game "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is a 1908 Tin Pan Alley song by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer which has become the unofficial anthem of North American baseball, although neither of its authors had attended a game prior to writing the song ...

'' (1949) – Nick Donford (uncredited) * ''

Reign of Terror The Reign of Terror (french: link=no, la Terreur) was a period of the French Revolution when, following the creation of the First French Republic, First Republic, a series of massacres and numerous public Capital punishment, executions took pl ...

'' (1949) – Marquis de Lafayette (uncredited) * '' Once More, My Darling'' (1949) – Mr. Frobisher * '' And Baby Makes Three'' (1949) – Root (uncredited) * ''

Girls' School Single-sex education, also known as single-gender education and gender-isolated education, is the practice of conducting education with male and female students attending separate classes, perhaps in separate buildings or schools. The practice o ...

'' (1950) – Dave Vickers * '' When Willie Comes Marching Home'' (1950) – General Chester Jans (uncredited) * '' Mother Didn't Tell Me'' (1950) – Dr. Harold Jones (uncredited) * '' Fortunes of Captain Blood'' (1950) – Capt. Alvarado * ''

Rogues of Sherwood Forest ''Rogues of Sherwood Forest'' is a 1950 Technicolor adventure film from Columbia Pictures, directed by Gordon Douglas, and starring John Derek as Robin, the Earl of Huntingdon, the son of Robin Hood, Diana Lynn as Lady Marianne, and Alan Hale, S ...

'' (1950) – Baron Fitzwalter * ''

Convicted In law, a conviction is the verdict reached by a court of law finding a defendant guilty of a crime. The opposite of a conviction is an acquittal (that is, "not guilty"). In Scotland, there can also be a verdict of " not proven", which is co ...

'' (1950) – Dr. Agar (scenes deleted) * '' The West Point Story'' (1950) – Lieutenant Colonel Martin * ''

Mr. Imperium ''Mr. Imperium'' (UK title: ''You Belong to My Heart'') is a 1951 romantic musical drama Technicolor film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Lana Turner and singer Ezio Pinza. It was directed by Don Hartman, who cowrote the screenplay ...

'' (1951) – Andrew Bolton (uncredited) * ''

My True Story "My True Story" is a 1961 single recorded by The Jive Five and co-written by the group's lead singer Eugene Pitt, along with Oscar Waltzer and Joe Rene. Chart performance The single was the biggest hit for the group on both the R&B and pop cha ...

'' (1951) – George Trent * ''

Night Into Morning ''Night Into Morning'' is a 1951 American drama film starring Ray Milland, John Hodiak and Nancy Davis. Plot Everything is going very well for college professor Phillip Ainley (Ray Milland), who has a loving wife and son and an offer to teach a ...

'' (1951) – Attorney (uncredited) * ''

Mask of the Avenger ''Mask of the Avenger'' is a 1951 American historical adventure film directed by Phil Karlson starring John Derek, Anthony Quinn and Jody Lawrance. Derek portrays Renatu Dimorna, the son of an Italian aristocrat, who vows revenge after his fathe ...

'' (1951) – Count Dimorna (uncredited) * ''

Young Man with Ideas ''Young Man with Ideas'' is a 1952 romantic comedy film directed by Mitchell Leisen and starring Ruth Roman and Glenn Ford. It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The screenplay concern a young small-town lawyer, who moves his family from Monta ...

'' (1952) – Mr. Cardy * '' Fearless Fagan'' (1952) – Col. Horne * ''

Springfield Rifle The term Springfield rifle may refer to any one of several types of small arms produced by the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, for the United States armed forces. In modern usage, the term "Springfield rifle" most commonly refer ...

'' (1952) – Col. George Sharpe * ''

Something for the Birds ''Something for the Birds'' is a 1952 film directed by Robert Wise and starring Victor Mature and Patricia Neal. Plot Johnnie Adams, an engraver in Washington, uses some of the invitations his firm makes to crash Washington parties. He gets to ...

'' (1952) – Taylor * '' Operation Secret'' (1952) – French Official * ''

Million Dollar Mermaid ''Million Dollar Mermaid'' (also known as ''The One Piece Bathing Suit'' in the UK) is a 1952 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer biographical film of the life of Australian swimming star Annette Kellerman. It was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and produced by Arthur ...

'' (1952) – Garvey * ''

The I Don't Care Girl ''The I Don't Care Girl'' is a 1953 Technicolor film starring Mitzi Gaynor. It is a biography of entertainer Eva Tanguay.Lili'' (1953) – M. Tonit * '' Scandal at Scourie'' (1953) – Mr. Leffington * '' So This Is Love'' (1953) – Henry Erlanger, Producer (uncredited) * ''

Miss Sadie Thompson ''Miss Sadie Thompson'' is a 1953 3-D American musical romantic drama film directed by Curtis Bernhardt and starring Rita Hayworth, José Ferrer, and Aldo Ray. The film was released by Columbia Pictures. The film is based on W. Somerset Maugha ...

'' (1953) – Governor * '' A Star Is Born'' (1954) – Shrine Auditorium Emcee (uncredited) * ''

The Sea Chase ''The Sea Chase'' is a 1955 World War II drama film starring John Wayne and Lana Turner, and featuring David Farrar, Lyle Bettger, and Tab Hunter. It was directed by John Farrow from a screenplay by James Warner Bellah and John Twist based on ...

'' (1955) – Counsel General Hepke * '' The Benny Goodman Story'' (1956) – John Hammond Sr. * '' Lust for Life'' (1956) – Rev. Stricker * ''

Something of Value ''Something of Value'' is a 1957 American drama film directed by Richard Brooks and starring Rock Hudson, Dana Wynter, and Sidney Poitier. The film was reissued under the title ''Africa Ablaze''. The film, based on the book of the same name by ...

'' (1957) – Captain Hillary (uncredited) * '' Tip on a Dead Jockey'' (1957) – John Rusk (uncredited) * '' The Restless Gun'' (1959) - Episode "The Cavis Boy" * '' Compulsion'' (1959) – Mr. Steiner * ''

Return to Peyton Place ''Return to Peyton Place'' is a 1959 novel by Grace Metalious, a sequel to her best-selling 1956 novel '' Peyton Place''. Plot summary After the phenomenal success of her first novel, Metalious hastily penned a sequel centering on the life and ...

'' (1961) – Dr. Fowlkes (uncredited) * ''

Bloodlust! ''Bloodlust!'' is a 1961 American horror thriller film written, directed and produced by Ralph Brooke and starring Wilton Graff, June Kenney, Joan Lora, Eugene Persson, and Robert Reed. It is based on Richard Connell's 1924 short story "The M ...

'' (1961) – Dr. Albert Balleau * '' Sail a Crooked Ship'' (1961) – Simon J. Harrison * ''Lonnie'' (1963) – Mitchell

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Graff, Wilton 1903 births 1969 deaths American male film actors 20th-century American male actors Male actors from St. Louis