Ralph Morgan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ralph Morgan
Morgan in 1934
Born	Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann (1883-07-06)July 6, 1883 New York City, U.S.
Died	June 11, 1956(1956-06-11) (aged 72) New York City, U.S.
Education	Columbia University
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1908–1953
Spouse(s)	Grace Arnold (born Georgiana Louise Iverson)
Children	Claudia Morgan
Relatives	Frank Morgan (brother)
1st and 4th President of the Screen Actors Guild
In office 1938–1940
Preceded by	Robert Montgomery
Succeeded by	Edward Arnold
In office 1933–1933
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Eddie Cantor
Acting President of the Actors' Equity Association
In office June 17, 1924 – August 12, 1924
Preceded by	John Emerson
Succeeded by	John Emerson

Ralph Morgan, whose real name was Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann, was an American actor. He was born on July 6, 1883, and passed away on June 11, 1956. He was famous for playing many different characters in movies and on stage in Hollywood. He was also the older brother of another well-known actor, Frank Morgan.

Early Life and Education

Ralph Morgan was born in New York City. He was the eighth of eleven children in his family. His mother, Josephine Wright, was a descendant of the people who came to America on the Mayflower ship. His father, George Wuppermann, was from Venezuela and Germany. He became very rich by selling a product called Angostura bitters. This allowed him to send all his children to college.

Ralph went to Trinity School and Riverview Military Academy. He then graduated from Columbia University with a law degree. He worked as a lawyer for almost two years. However, he decided to become an actor instead. He had already acted in Columbia's yearly student show, called the Varsity Show. In 1905, he appeared in a show called The Khan of Kathan.

Acting Career Highlights

Ralph Morgan started his acting career on stage in 1909. His first role was in a play called The Bachelor. In 1913, he joined a summer theater group in Denver. He also played a role in the popular play Lightnin' in 1918.

From Silent Films to Talkies

Morgan began acting in silent films in 1915. He appeared in several movies made on the East Coast. When movies with sound, called "talkies," became popular, he got some main roles. These included films like Strange Interlude and Rasputin and the Empress, both from 1932.

Later in his career, he often played smaller, supporting characters. One of his most remembered roles was in the 1942 series Gang Busters. In this series, he played a brilliant surgeon who became a master criminal. Ralph Morgan also worked in radio and television. He often appeared in religious dramas for a show called Family Theater.

Founding the Screen Actors Guild

Beyond acting, Ralph Morgan was very active in helping other actors. He, along with actors like Grant Mitchell and Berton Churchill, helped create the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). This group was formed to fight against unfair treatment of actors. For example, studios often made actors work very long hours.

Morgan was a founder and the first president of SAG in 1933. He was elected president two more times, serving from 1938 to 1940. His success in acting encouraged his younger brother, Frank Morgan, to try acting too. Frank later became even more famous than Ralph.

Recognition and Legacy

Ralph Morgan has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located at 1617 Vine Street. His star was placed there on February 8, 1960, to honor his contributions to movies.

Personal Life and Passing

Ralph Morgan was married to Georgiana Louise Iverson. She was a stage actress known as Grace Arnold. Ralph called her "Daisy." They had a daughter named Claudia Morgan, who was born in 1911. Claudia also became an actress. She was famous for her role as Vera Claythorne in the play Ten Little Indians on Broadway. She also played Nora Charles in the radio show The Thin Man.

Ralph Morgan passed away on June 11, 1956, due to a lung problem. He was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Selected Filmography

Morgan in The Monster Maker (1944)