Ralph Morgan

Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann (July 6, 1883 – June 11, 1956), 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.

For other people named Ralph Morgan, see Ralph Morgan (disambiguation).

Ralph Morgan
Morgan in 1934
Born
Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann

(1883-07-06)July 6, 1883
New York City, U.S.
DiedJune 11, 1956(1956-06-11) (aged 72)
New York City, U.S.
EducationColumbia University
OccupationActor
Years active1908–1953
SpouseGrace Arnold (born Georgiana Louise Iverson)
ChildrenClaudia Morgan
RelativesFrank Morgan (brother)
1st and 4th President of the Screen Actors Guild
In office
1938–1940
Preceded byRobert Montgomery
Succeeded byEdward Arnold
In office
1933–1933
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byEddie Cantor
Acting President of the Actors' Equity Association
In office
June 17, 1924 – August 12, 1924
Preceded byJohn Emerson
Succeeded byJohn Emerson

Early life

Morgan's 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[1] and graduated from Columbia University with a law degree. However, after almost two years' practicing, he abandoned the world of jurisprudence[2] 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.[3]

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.[4] 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.

"I have great faith in the sense of justice inherent in my fellow player. I believe he wants to and will fight to correct any injustice so long as he feels confident that this fight will be waged cleanly and in keeping with the high calling of his profession."[5]

Ralph Morgan on the Screen Actors Guild and the professional etiquette between fellow thespians

He later settled into secondary, sometimes uncredited, character parts. 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.

Among his off-camera activities, he, alongside Grant Mitchell, Berton Churchill, Charles Miller, Alden Gay, and Kenneth Thomson, formed the Screen Actors Guild 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' membership policy, which was exclusively by invitation). He was a co-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.

Morgan became so successful in stock and on Broadway 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.

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.[6]

Personal life and death

Ralph Morgan was married to Georgiana Louise Iverson, who as a stage actress was known as Grace Arnold. Their daughter was Claudia Morgan (1911–1974), an actress best known for creating the role of Vera Claythorne on Broadway in the original production of Ten Little Indians, and for her portrayal of Nora Charles on the radio series The Thin Man.

Morgan died on June 11, 1956, aged 72, of a lung ailment.[7][1] He was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Selected filmography
Morgan in The Monster Maker (1944)

References
  1. "Ralph Morgan, Veteran Actor, Dies At Age 72". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. June 12, 1956. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  2. Henderson, Jessie (January 22, 1933). "True Actors Can't Quit Job, Says Morgan". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. Utah, Ogden. The Ogden Standard-Examiner. p. 26. Retrieved March 23, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  3. "The Columbia Show". New-York Tribune. New York, New York City. The New York Tribune. March 14, 1905. p. 7. Retrieved March 23, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. Lawrence., Dier, Caroline (1932). The Lady of the Gardens, Mary Elitch Long. Hollycrofters, Inc. p. 124. OCLC 610573509.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Ralph Morgan's portrait at the SAG-AFTRA
  6. "Frank Morgan". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  7. "RALPH MORGAN, 72, ACTOR, DIES HERE; Stage and Screen Performer Was Seen in 'Rasputin' Film and in 'Strange Interlude'". The New York Times. June 13, 1956.
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