Ned Wertimer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ned Wertimer
Wertimer as Ralph Hart on The Jeffersons
Born	(1923-10-27)October 27, 1923 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Died	January 2, 2013(2013-01-02) (aged 89) Valley Village, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Education	Bachelor of Business Administration
Alma mater	University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1950–2007
Known for	Ralph Hart, the doorman on The Jeffersons
Spouse(s)	Skyne Uku-Wertimer ​ (m. 1971)​

Edward "Ned" Wertimer (born October 27, 1923 – died January 2, 2013) was an American actor. He was most famous for playing Ralph Hart, the friendly doorman on the TV show The Jeffersons.

Ned Wertimer's Life and Acting Career

Early Life and Education

Ned Wertimer was born in Buffalo, New York, on October 27, 1923. He served as a Navy pilot during World War II. After the war, he earned a business degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. While there, he joined the Mask and Wig Club, a comedy and music group for men.

Starting His Acting Journey

After college, Wertimer moved to New York City. He began performing in Broadway shows. He also started taking small roles on television, which was a new type of entertainment back then. He was a regular guest on The Shari Lewis Show, where he showed off his amazing improvisation skills.

Moving to Hollywood and TV Roles

In the mid-1960s, Ned Wertimer moved to Los Angeles. He wanted to continue his growing TV career. He appeared in over 100 TV shows as a guest star. Some of these shows included Gunsmoke, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, WKRP in Cincinnati, and Mork & Mindy. He also acted in movies like Santa Claus Conquers the Martians and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Wertimer was a longtime member of two important performer groups: the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. These groups help actors and performers.

Playing Ralph the Doorman on The Jeffersons

Ned Wertimer first played Ralph Hart, the doorman, in a 1975 episode of All in the Family. This episode was a special preview for a new show called The Jeffersons. The character of Ralph the doorman became a regular on The Jeffersons.

Wertimer appeared in 57 episodes of the show. His character, Ralph, was always looking for a tip for his services. This role became what he was best known for.

Personal Life and Later Years

Ned Wertimer loved to travel the world. He rode a camel in Egypt and an elephant in Thailand. He even swam in Australia's amazing Great Barrier Reef. Besides his work with actor groups, Wertimer also voted for the Emmy Awards. These awards celebrate the best in television.

Soon after moving to California, he met and married Dr. Skyne Uku. She was a professor at California State University, Long Beach.

Ned Wertimer passed away on January 2, 2013, in Los Angeles. He was 89 years old. His manager said he never fully recovered from a fall he had in November 2012.

Filmography