Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann (July 6, 1883 – June 11, 1956), known professionally as Ralph Morgan, was a

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywoo ...

stage and film character actor, and the older brother of Frank Morgan.

Early life

Morgan was born in New York City, the eighth of eleven children of Josephine Wright (née Hancox) and George Diogracia Wuppermann. His mother was a

Mayflower ''Mayflower'' was an English ship that transported a group of English families, known today as the Pilgrims, from England to the New World in 1620. After a grueling 10 weeks at sea, ''Mayflower'', with 102 passengers and a crew of about 30, ...

descendant. His father, George Wuppermann, was of Spanish and German lineage. Born in Venezuela and raised in Germany, he later immigrated to the United States. He had made a fortune by distributing Angostura bitters, allowing him to send all of his children to universities. Morgan attended Trinity School, Riverview Military Academy and graduated from

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

with a law degree. However, after almost two years' practicing, he abandoned the world of

jurisprudence Jurisprudence, or legal theory, is the theoretical study of the propriety of law. Scholars of jurisprudence seek to explain the nature of law in its most general form and they also seek to achieve a deeper understanding of legal reasoning ...

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. Morgan became so successful in stock and on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

that his younger brother, Frank, was encouraged to give acting a try, using the same surname as Ralph for his stage name. His career would eventually overshadow that of Ralph.

Career

His first role on the stage came in ''The Bachelor'' in 1909 and 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. He later settled into secondary, sometimes uncredited, character parts. One of his memorable 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''. Among his off-camera activities, he, alongside Grant Mitchell, Berton Churchill, Charles Miller, Alden Gay, and Kenneth Thomson, formed the

Screen Actors Guild The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) was an American labor union which represented over 100,000 film and television principal and background performers worldwide. On March 30, 2012, the union leadership announced that the SAG membership voted to me ...

to resolve and stop most of the injustice that actors faced within the industry (among which, were prolonged work hours enforced by the studios and the

Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS, often pronounced ; also known as simply the Academy or the Motion Picture Academy) is a professional honorary organization with the stated goal of advancing the arts and sciences of motion ...

' membership policy, which was exclusively by invitation). He was also a founder, charter member, and the first president of SAG in 1933, and he was elected to two additional one-year terms in 1938 and 1939, serving until 1940.

Recognition

Morgan has a star in the Motion Pictures section of the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Calif ...

at 1617 Vine Street. It was dedicated February 8, 1960.

Personal life and death

Ralph Morgan was married to Georgiana Louise Iverson, who as a stage actress was known as Grace Arnold, although he called her "Daisy" and was the father of

Claudia Morgan Claudia Louise Morgan (June 12, 1911 – September 17, 1974) was an American film, television, and radio actress. She was best known for debuting the role of Vera Claythorne in the first Broadway production of Agatha Christie's '' Ten Little In ...

(born Claudia Louise Wuppermann; 1911–1974), an actress best known for creating the role of Vera Claythorne on

in the original production of ''

Ten Little Indians "Ten Little Indians" is a traditional American children's counting out rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 12976. The term "Indians" in this sense refers to Indigenous North American peoples. In 1868, songwriter Septimus Winner adap ...

'', and for her portrayal of Nora Charles on the radio series '' The Thin Man''. Morgan died on June 11, 1956, of a lung ailment. He was buried at

Green-Wood Cemetery Green-Wood Cemetery is a cemetery in the western portion of Brooklyn, New York City. The cemetery is located between South Slope/ Greenwood Heights, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Kensington, and Sunset Park, and lies several blo ...

Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

Selected filmography

* ''Seeds of Jealousy'' (1914) (film debut) * ''The Man Trail'' (1915) * ''The Master of the House'' (1915) as Young Hoffman - the Son * ''

Madame X ''Madame X'' (original title ''La Femme X'') is a 1908 play by French playwright Alexandre Bisson (1848–1912). It was novelized in English and adapted for the American stage; it was also adapted for the screen twelve times over sixty-fiv ...

'' (1916) as Raymond Floriot * ''The Penny Philanthropist'' (1917) as Tom Oliphant * '' The Man Who Found Himself'' (1925) as Edwin Macauley Jr * '' Honor Among Lovers'' (1931) as Riggs * '' Dance Team'' (1932) as Alex Prentice * ''

Charlie Chan's Chance ''Charlie Chan's Chance'' is a 1932 American pre-Code murder mystery film, the third to star Warner Oland as detective Charlie Chan. It is based on the 1928 novel ''Behind That Curtain'' by Earl Derr Biggers, who also contributed to the film. Th ...

'' (1932) as Barry Kirk * ''

Cheaters at Play ''Cheaters at Play'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Hamilton MacFadden and written by Malcolm Stuart Boylan. The film stars Thomas Meighan, Charlotte Greenwood, William Bakewell, Ralph Morgan, Barbara Weeks and Linda Watkins ...

'' (1932) as Freddie Isquith * '' After Tomorrow'' (1932) as Dr. Sullivan (uncredited) * ''

Disorderly Conduct Disorderly conduct is a crime in most jurisdictions in the United States, the People's Republic of China, and Taiwan. Typically, "disorderly conduct" makes it a crime to be drunk in public, to " disturb the peace", or to loiter in certain are ...

'' (1932) as James Crawford * '' Devil's Lottery'' (1932) as Captain Geoffrey Maitland * '' Strange Interlude'' (1932) as Charlie Marsden * '' Jungle Mystery'' (1932, Serial) as Recap Narrator (voice, uncredited) * '' Rasputin and the Empress'' (1932) as The Czar - Nicholai Alexander * '' The Son-Daughter'' (1932) as Fang Fou Hy * ''

Humanity Humanity most commonly refers to: * Humankind the total population of humans * Humanity (virtue) Humanity may also refer to: Literature * ''Humanity'' (journal), an academic journal that focuses on human rights * ''Humanity: A Moral History of t ...

'' (1933) as Dr. William MacDonald * '' Trick for Trick'' (1933) as Azrah * '' Shanghai Madness'' (1933) as Li Po Chang * ''

The Power and the Glory ''The Power and the Glory'' is a 1940 novel by British author Graham Greene. The title is an allusion to the doxology often recited at the end of the Lord's Prayer: "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever, amen." ...

'' (1933) as Henry * ''

Doctor Bull ''Doctor Bull'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John Ford, based on the James Gould Cozzens novel '' The Last Adam''. Will Rogers portrays a small-town doctor who must deal with a typhoid outbreak in the community. The film ...

'' (1933) as Dr. Verney, Owner Verney Laboratory * '' Walls of Gold'' (1933) as J. Gordon Ritchie * '' The Mad Game'' (1933) as Judge Penfield * ''

The Kennel Murder Case ''The Kennel Murder Case'' is a 1933 murder mystery novel written by S. S. Van Dine with fictional detective Philo Vance investigating a complex locked-room mystery. Plot summary One of the Coe brothers is found dead in his bedroom, locked f ...

'' (1933) as Raymond Wrede - the Secretary * ''

Orient Express The ''Orient Express'' was a long-distance passenger train service created in 1883 by the Belgian company ''Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits'' (CIWL) that operated until 2009. The train traveled the length of continental Europe and int ...

'' (1934) as Dr. Richard Czinner * '' Stand Up and Cheer!'' (1934) as Secretary to President * '' The Last Gentleman'' (1934) as Henry Loring * '' Their Big Moment'' (1934) as Dr. Portman * ''

She Was a Lady ''She Was a Lady'' is the title of a mystery novel by Leslie Charteris featuring his creation, Simon Templar, alias The Saint. The novel was first published in serialized form in the magazine ''Thriller'' in February and March 1930, and after be ...

'' (1934) as Stanley Vane * '' A Girl of the Limberlost'' (1934) as Wesley Sinton * ''

Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round ''Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round'' is a 1934 American drama film with musical and comedic elements, directed by Benjamin Stoloff. Plot Gangster Lee Lother (Sidney Blackmer) is shot and killed during an ocean liner cruise, and we're introduced in ...

'' (1934) as Herbert Rosson * ''

Hell in the Heavens ''Hell in the Heavens'' is a 1934 American aviation drama film directed by John G. Blystone and written by Byron Morgan, Ted Parsons and Jack Yellen based on the stage play ''Der Flieger'' by Hermann Rossmann. The film stars Warner Baxter, Conchi ...

'' (1934) as Lt. 'Pop' Roget * '' Little Men'' (1934) as Professor Bhaer * '' I've Been Around'' (1935) as John Waring * '' The Unwelcome Stranger'' (1935) as Mike Monahan * ''

Star of Midnight ''Star of Midnight'' is a 1935 American mystery comedy film directed by Stephen Roberts. William Powell was loaned out to RKO Pictures from MGM to star with Ginger Rogers. Plot New York lawyer and playboy Clay "Dal" Dalzell (William Powell) is ...

'' (1935) as Roger Classon * ''

Calm Yourself ''Calm Yourself'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by George B. Seitz and written by Arthur Kober. The film stars Robert Young, Madge Evans, Betty Furness, Ralph Morgan, Nat Pendleton and Hardie Albright. The film was released on June ...

'' (1935) as Mr. Kenneth S. Rockwell * '' Condemned to Live'' (1935) as Prof. Paul Kristan * '' Magnificent Obsession'' (1935) as Randolph * '' Muss 'em Up'' (1936) as Jim Glenray, Paul's Brother in Law * ''

Speed In everyday use and in kinematics, the speed (commonly referred to as ''v'') of an object is the magnitude of the change of its position over time or the magnitude of the change of its position per unit of time; it is thus a scalar quant ...

'' (1936) as Mr. Dean * ''

The Ex-Mrs. Bradford ''The Ex-Mrs. Bradford'' is a 1936 American comedy-mystery film. William Powell and Jean Arthur star as a divorced couple who investigate a murder at a racetrack. This was the last film directed by Stephen Roberts before his untimely death from ...

'' (1936) as Leroy Hutchins, Warcloud's Owner * ''

Human Cargo ''Human Cargo'' is a 2004 Canadian television miniseries. The series won seven Gemini Awards and two Directors Guild of Canada Awards. It premiered on CBC Television on January 4, 2004 and starred Kate Nelligan, Cara Pifko, Bayo Akinfemi and Ni ...

'' (1936) as District Attorney Carey * '' Little Miss Nobody'' (1936) as Gerald Dexter * ''

Anthony Adverse ''Anthony Adverse'' is a 1936 American epic historical drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Fredric March and Olivia de Havilland. The screenplay by Sheridan Gibney draws elements of its plot from eight of the nine books in Herve ...

'' (1936) as Signore Debruille * ''

Yellowstone Yellowstone National Park is an American national park located in the western United States, largely in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by the 42nd U.S. Congress with the Yellow ...

'' (1936) as James Foster / Anderson * '' General Spanky'' (1936) as Yankee General * '' Crack-Up'' (1936) as John R. Fleming * '' The Man in Blue'' (1937) as The 'Professor' * '' Exclusive'' (1937) as Horace Mitchell * ''

The Outer Gate ''The Outer Gate'' is a 1937 American film directed by actor/screenwriter Raymond Cannon. The screenplay concerns a man who organizes a revenge plot after being sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. Plot summary Bob Terry works for Joh ...

'' (1937) as John Borden * ''

The Life of Emile Zola ''The Life of Emile Zola'' is a 1937 American biographical film about the 19th-century French author Émile Zola starring Paul Muni and directed by William Dieterle. It premiered at the Los Angeles Carthay Circle Theatre to great critical and ...

'' (1937) as Commander of Paris * '' That's My Story'' (1937) as Carter * ''

Mannequin A mannequin (also called a dummy, lay figure, or dress form) is a doll, often articulated, used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, window dressers and others, especially to display or fit clothing and show off different fabrics and textiles. ...

'' (1937) as Briggs * ''

Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational financial services company with corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California; operational headquarters in Manhattan; and managerial offices throughout the United States and intern ...

'' (1937) as Nicholas Pryor * '' Love Is a Headache'' (1938) as Reginald 'Reggie' Odell * ''

Wives Under Suspicion ''Wives Under Suspicion'' is a 1938 American crime film based on a 1932 Ladislas Fodor play that was previously adapted into the film, '' The Kiss Before the Mirror''. This version was directed by James Whale and stars Warren William, Gail Pa ...

'' (1938) as Shaw MacAllen * '' Mother Carey's Chickens'' (1938) as Captain John Carey * ''

Barefoot Boy ''Barefoot Boy'' is Larry Coryell's only studio album for the Flying Dutchman label, a company created by Impulse! Records founder Bob Thiele. The album was produced by Thiele with assistance from Lillian Seyfert and engineered by Eddie Kramer. ...

'' (1938) as John Hale * '' Army Girl'' (1938) as Maj. Hal Kennett * ''

Shadows Over Shanghai ''Shadows Over Shanghai'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by Charles Lamont and starring James Dunn, Ralph Morgan, Robert Barrat, and Paul Sutton. Set in Shanghai during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the plot centers on the efforts of Ja ...

'' (1938) as Howard Barclay * ''

Out West with the Hardys ''Out West with the Hardys'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by George B. Seitz and the fifth film in the Andy Hardy series of sixteen films. Premise Judge Hardy gets a request to help out an old friend so he takes his family on a holid ...

'' (1938) as Bill Northcote * '' Orphans of the Street'' (1938) as Martin Sands * '' The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt'' (1939) as Spiro * '' Fast and Loose'' (1939) as Nicholas Torrent * '' Man of Conquest'' (1939) as Stephen F. Austin * '' Trapped in the Sky'' (1939) as Colonel Whalen * '' Way Down South'' (1939) as Timothy Reid Sr. * ''

Smuggled Cargo ''Smuggled Cargo'' is a 1939 American drama film directed by John H. Auer and written by Earl Felton and Michael Jacoby. The film stars Barry MacKay, Rochelle Hudson, George Barbier, Ralph Morgan, Cliff Edwards and John Wray. The film was r ...

'' (1939) as John Clayton * ''

Geronimo Geronimo ( apm, Goyaałé, , ; June 16, 1829 – February 17, 1909) was a prominent leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Ndendahe Apache people. From 1850 to 1886, Geronimo joined with members of three other Central Apache b ...

'' (1939) as Gen. Steele * '' Forty Little Mothers'' (1940) as Judge Joseph M. Williams * '' I'm Still Alive'' (1940) as Producer Walter Blake * '' The Mad Doctor'' (1941) as Dr. Charles Downer * '' Adventure in Washington'' (1941) as Senator Cummings * ''

Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc. ''Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc.'' (1941) is a Republic Movie serial based on the Dick Tracy comic strip. It was directed by the team of William Witney and John English with Ralph Byrd reprising his role from the earlier serials. It was the last of ...

'' (1941, Serial) as J.P. Morton * ''

A Close Call for Ellery Queen ''A Close Call for Ellery Queen'' is a 1942 American mystery film directed by James P. Hogan and written by Eric Taylor and Gertrude Purcell. It is based on the 1939 novel ''The Dragon's Teeth: A Problem in Deduction'' by Ellery Queen. The fil ...

'' (1942) as Alan Rogers * ''

Klondike Fury ''Klondike Fury'' is a 1942 American drama film directed by William K. Howard, produced by the King Brothers, and released through Monogram. It stars Edmund Lowe. It was a remake of '' Klondike''. Plot A neurosurgeon is thrown out of the medic ...

'' (1942) as Dr. Brady * '' Gang Busters'' (1942, Serial) as Dr. Clayton Maxton - aka Prof. Mortis * ''

A Gentleman After Dark ''A Gentleman After Dark'' is a 1942 crime/drama film starring Brian Donlevy and Miriam Hopkins. Plot We pick up the story when the editor of the ''New York Chronicle'' sits on New Year's Eve 1923 awaiting news on the theft of legendary Mrs. Reg ...

'' (1942) as Morrison * '' Night Monster'' (1942) as Kurt Ingston * ''

The Traitor Within ''The Traitor Within'' is a 1942 American action film directed by Frank McDonald and written by Jack Townley. The film stars Don "Red" Barry, Jean Parker, George Cleveland, Ralph Morgan, Jessica Newcombe and Bradley Page. The film was released ...

'' (1942) as John Scott Ryder * '' Hitler's Madman'' (1943) as Jan Hanka * '' Stage Door Canteen'' (1943) as Ralph Morgan * ''

Jack London John Griffith Chaney (January 12, 1876 – November 22, 1916), better known as Jack London, was an American novelist, journalist and activist. A pioneer of commercial fiction and American magazines, he was one of the first American authors to ...

'' (1943) as George Brett * '' The Impostor'' (aka ''Strange Confession'') (1944) as Col. DeBoivin * ''

Weird Woman ''Weird Woman'' is a 1944 Inner Sanctum film noir mystery and horror film directed by Reginald Le Borg and starring Lon Chaney Jr., Anne Gwynne, and Evelyn Ankers. The "Inner Sanctum" franchise originated with a popular radio series and all ...

'' (1944) as Prof. Millard Sawtelle * '' The Monster Maker'' (1944) as Lawrence * '' Trocadero'' (1944) as Sam Wallace * '' The Great Alaskan Mystery'' (1944, Serial) as Dr. Miller * ''

Enemy of Women ''Enemy of Women'' is a 1944 American anti-Nazi propaganda film directed by Alfred Zeisler. The lead character is Joseph Goebbels, played by Paul Andor. Plot Paul Joseph Goebbels, a down-on-his-luck playwright, boards with German military pens ...

'' (1944) as Mr. Quandt * '' The Monster and the Ape'' (1945, Serial) as Professor Franklin Arnold * '' Hollywood and Vine'' (1945) as B.B. Lavish / Richard Lavish * '' This Love of Ours'' (1945) as Dr. Lane * '' Black Market Babies'' (1945) as Dr. Henry Jordon * ''

Mr. District Attorney ''Mr. District Attorney'' is a radio crime drama produced by Samuel Bischoff that aired on NBC and ABC from April 3, 1939 to June 13, 1952 (and in transcribed syndication through 1953). The series focused on a crusading district attorney initi ...

'' (1947) as Ed Jamison * '' Song of the Thin Man'' (1947) as David I. Thayar * '' The Last Round-up'' (1947) as Charlie Mason * '' Sleep, My Love'' (1948) as Dr. Rhinehart * ''

Sword of the Avenger ''Sword of the Avenger'' is a 1948 American adventure film directed by Sidney Salkow and starring Ramon del Gado, Sigrid Gurie, and Ralph Morgan. Plot The setting of the film is the Philippines in 1827, while it was under Spanish rule. Roberto ...

'' (1948) as Don Adolfo Rivera * '' The Creeper'' (1948) as Dr. Lester Cavigny * ''

Blue Grass of Kentucky ''Blue Grass of Kentucky'' is a 1950 American sports drama film directed by William Beaudine and starring Bill Williams, Jane Nigh, and Ralph Morgan.Marshall p.367 Plot Major Randolph McIvor has one son, Lin, helping train his horses and anoth ...

'' (1950) as Maj. Randolph McIvor * '' Heart of the Rockies'' (1951) as Andrew Willard * ''

Gold Fever A gold rush or gold fever is a discovery of gold—sometimes accompanied by other precious metals and rare-earth minerals—that brings an onrush of miners seeking their fortune. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, New Ze ...

'' (1952) as Nugget Jack (final film)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan, Ralph 1883 births 1956 deaths 20th-century American male actors Academy Honorary Award recipients American male film actors American male stage actors American male radio actors American male silent film actors American people of English descent American people of German descent American people of Spanish descent Columbia College (New York) alumni Columbia Law School alumni Deaths from lung disease Presidents of the Screen Actors Guild