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) * Hollywood ...

stage and film character actor, and union activist. He was a brother of actor

Frank Morgan Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949), known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor. He was best known for his appearances in films starting in the silent era in 1916, and then numerous sound ...

as well as the father of actress Claudia Morgan.

Early life

Morgan attended Trinity School, Riverview Military Academy and graduated from

Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...

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

jurisprudence Jurisprudence, also known as theory of law or philosophy of law, is the examination in a general perspective of what law is and what it ought to be. It investigates issues such as the definition of law; legal validity; legal norms and values ...

for the vocation of journeyman actor, having already appeared in Columbia's annual

Varsity Show The Varsity Show is one of the oldest traditions at Columbia University. Founded in 1893 as a fundraiser for the university's fledgling athletic teams, the Varsity Show now draws together the entire Columbia undergraduate community for a series of ...

. 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 In American theater, summer stock theater is a theater that presents stage productions only in the summer. The name combines the season with the tradition of staging shows by a resident company, reusing stock scenery and costumes. Summer stock ...

cast at

Denver Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

'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 ''Strange Interlude'' is an experimental play in nine acts by American playwright Eugene O'Neill. It won the 1928 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. ''Strange Interlude'' is one of the few modern plays to make extensive use of a soliloquy technique, in ...

'' 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 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 m ...

. 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 The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark which consists of 2,813 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood dist ...

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."

Personal life and death

Morgan died on June 11, 1956, aged 72, of a lung ailment.

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 (theatre), 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 sixteen times ...

'' (1916) as Raymond Floriot * ''The Penny Philanthropist'' (1917) as Tom Oliphant * '' The Man Who Found Himself'' (1925) as Edwin Macauley Jr * ''

Honor Among Lovers ''Honor Among Lovers'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film made by Paramount Pictures, directed by Dorothy Arzner. The film stars Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, Monroe Owsley, Charles Ruggles and Ginger Rogers. The film was originall ...

'' (1931) as Riggs * '' Dance Team'' (1932) as Alex Prentice * '' Charlie Chan's Chance'' (1932) as Barry Kirk * '' Cheaters at Play'' (1932) as Freddie Isquith * '' After Tomorrow'' (1932) as Dr. Sullivan (uncredited) * ''

Disorderly Conduct Disorderly conduct is a crime in most jurisdictions, such as the United States and China. Typically, "disorderly conduct" is a term used to refer to any behavior that is considered unacceptable in a formal, civilized or controlled environment. ...

'' (1932) as James Crawford * ''

Devil's Lottery ''Devil's Lottery'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Sam Taylor and written by Guy Bolton. The film stars Elissa Landi, Victor McLaglen, Alexander Kirkland, Ralph Morgan, Paul Cavanagh and Barbara Weeks. The film was re ...

'' (1932) as Captain Geoffrey Maitland * ''

'' (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'' (1933) as Dr. William MacDonald * '' Trick for Trick'' (1933) as Azrah * '' Shanghai Madness'' (1933) as Li Po Chang * '' The Power and the Glory'' (1933) as Henry * '' Doctor Bull'' (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'' (1933) as Raymond Wrede - the Secretary * ''

Orient Express The ''Orient Express'' was a long-distance passenger luxury 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, w ...

'' (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'' (1934) as Stanley Vane * '' A Girl of the Limberlost'' (1934) as Wesley Sinton * '' Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round'' (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, ...

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

The Unwelcome Stranger ''The Unwelcome Stranger'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Jack Holt (actor), Jack Holt, Mona Barrie, and Ralph Morgan. It was released on April 20, 1935. Cast * Jack Holt (actor), Jack Holt as Howard Chamberlai ...

'' (1935) as Mike Monahan * '' Star of Midnight'' (1935) as Roger Classon * '' Calm Yourself'' (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 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 non-negative scalar quantity. Intro ...

'' (1936) as Mr. Dean * '' The Ex-Mrs. Bradford'' (1936) as Leroy Hutchins, Warcloud's Owner * '' Human Cargo'' (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 Hervey ...

'' (1936) as Signore Debruille * ''

Yellowstone Yellowstone National Park is a List of national parks of the United States, national park of the United States located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with small portions extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by the 42nd U ...

'' (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'' (1937) as John Borden * '' The Life of Emile Zola'' (1937) as Commander of Paris * '' That's My Story'' (1937) as Carter * ''

Mannequin A mannequin (sometimes spelled as manikin and 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 dif ...

'' (1937) as Briggs * ''

Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational financial services company with a significant global presence. The company operates in 35 countries and serves over 70 million customers worldwide. It is a systemically important fi ...

'' (1937) as Nicholas Pryor * '' Love Is a Headache'' (1938) as Reginald 'Reggie' Odell * '' Wives Under Suspicion'' (1938) as Shaw MacAllen * '' Mother Carey's Chickens'' (1938) as Captain John Carey * '' Barefoot Boy'' (1938) as John Hale * '' Army Girl'' (1938) as Maj. Hal Kennett * '' Shadows Over Shanghai'' (1938) as Howard Barclay * '' Out West with the Hardys'' (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'' (1939) as John Clayton * ''

Geronimo Gerónimo (, ; June 16, 1829 – February 17, 1909) was a military 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 bands the Tchihen ...

'' (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.'' (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 fi ...

'' (1942) as Alan Rogers * '' Klondike Fury'' (1942) as Dr. Brady * '' Gang Busters'' (1942, Serial) as Dr. Clayton Maxton - aka Prof. Mortis * '' A Gentleman After Dark'' (1942) as Morrison * '' Night Monster'' (1942) as Kurt Ingston * '' The Traitor Within'' (1942) as John Scott Ryder * '' Hitler's Madman'' (1943) as Jan Hanka * ''

Stage Door Canteen The Stage Door Canteen was an entertainment venue for American and Allied servicemen that operated in the Broadway theatre district of New York City throughout World War II. Founded by the American Theatre Wing (ATW) in 1942, the entertainers w ...

'' (1943) as Ralph Morgan * ''

Jack London John Griffith London (; 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 t ...

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

Weird Woman ''Weird Woman'' is a 1944 noir- mystery horror film, and the second installment in '' The Inner Sanctum Mysteries'' anthological film series, which was based on the popular radio series of the same name. Directed by Reginald Le Borg and star ...

'' (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'' (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 ''This Love of Ours'' is a 1945 American drama film directed by William Dieterle and starring Merle Oberon, Maris Wrixon, Claude Rains, Charles Korvin and Carl Esmond. The film's composer, Hans J. Salter, was nominated for an Academy Award f ...

'' (1945) as Dr. Lane * '' Black Market Babies'' (1945) as Dr. Henry Jordon * '' Mr. District Attorney'' (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 ''Sleep, My Love'' is a 1948 American Film noir, noir film directed by Douglas Sirk. It features Claudette Colbert, Robert Cummings and Don Ameche. It has been called "a gaslighting thriller." Plot Alison Courtland, a wealthy New Yorker, hasn't ...

'' (1948) as Dr. Rhinehart * '' Sword of the Avenger'' (1948) as Don Adolfo Rivera * '' The Creeper'' (1948) as Dr. Lester Cavigny * '' Blue Grass of Kentucky'' (1950) as Maj. Randolph McIvor * '' Heart of the Rockies'' (1951) as Andrew Willard * '' Gold Fever'' (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