Ray Walston
Biography
Ray Walston was an American actor who began his career on Broadway and in stock and repertory theater. Born in Laurel, Mississippi, he acted in New Orleans theaters and with stock companies before joining a repertory company led by Margo Jones in Dallas in 1938. He first appeared on Broadway in a 1945 production of The G.I. Hamlet and won a Tony Award for playing Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees in 1956. He reprised the role in the 1958 film version and appeared in South Pacific (1958), The Apartment (1960), Kiss Me, Stupid (1964), Paint Your Wagon (1969), The Sting (1973), Popeye (1980), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), and Of Mice and Men (1992). On television, he starred as Uncle Martin on My Favorite Martian and as Judge Henry Bone on Picket Fences, earning two Primetime Emmy Awards. He died in 2001.
86years old at death
- Born Laurel
- Died Beverly Hills
- Star sign: ScorpioThe sign runs October 23 to November 21
- Herman Raymond Walston (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 28
- Career span
- 42 years1957 to 1999
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First role
Walston made his Broadway debut in New York City in a 1945 production of Maurice Evans's The G.I. Hamlet. Three years later, he was among the first people admitted to the newly formed Actors Studio.
A first
Walston played Luther Billis in the 1951 London staging of South Pacific and took the same part in the 1958 movie. He and Juanita Hall, who was Bloody Mary, were the only cast members in both versions.
Big break
Walston's success as Uncle Martin on My Favorite Martian typecast him, making it hard to find serious roles after the show ended, though he returned to character work in the 1970s and 1980s.
Big break
Walston was hired for the recurring role of Judge Henry Bone on Picket Fences, but his popularity led producers to upgrade the character to a starring role.
A change of course
Walston narrated films about nuclear experiments for the United States Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission, among them the 1958 Operation Hardtack I nuclear test film series.
First role
Walston started acting young, carrying a spear in productions at several New Orleans theaters. He mostly took small parts with stock companies, and also sold tickets and cleaned the stage floors at a movie theater.
Ray Walston movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Joshua Logan directed three of these films, Billy Wilder two and Amy Heckerling two. Jack Kruschen appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Jack Kruschen's page
Wallace Shawn's page
Ed Begley Jr.'s page
Kathleen Freeman's page
Daryl Hannah's page
Robert Redford's page
All films by Joshua Logan
All films by Billy Wilder
All films by Amy Heckerling
Also two films together14 more actors
- Paul DooleyO.C. and Stiggs (1985) and Popeye (1980)
- Richard DeaconWho's Minding the Store? (1963) and Kiss Them for Me (1957)
- Martin MullSki Patrol (1990) and O.C. and Stiggs (1985)
- Richard HarrisonTall Story (1960) and South Pacific (1958)
- Scott ThomsonJohnny Dangerously (1984) and Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
- Phoebe CatesPrivate School (1983) and Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
- T.K. CarterMy Favorite Martian (1999) and Ski Patrol (1990)
- Alan DexterPaint Your Wagon (1969) and Kiss Me, Stupid (1964)
- H.B. HaggertyRad (1986) and Paint Your Wagon (1969)
- Naomi StevensConvicts 4 (1962) and The Apartment (1960)
- Tom LaughlinTall Story (1960) and South Pacific (1958)
- Jack MullaneySouth Pacific (1958) and Kiss Them for Me (1957)
- Russ BrownDamn Yankees! (1958) and South Pacific (1958)
- Nathaniel FreyDamn Yankees! (1958) and Kiss Them for Me (1957)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What Ray Walston's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$510 million
19 of the 28 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 28 films: 19 worldwide figure; 1 us gross only; 2 never in cinemas; 6 figure not found.
- 19Worldwide figure
- 1US gross only
- 2Never in cinemas
- 6Figure not found
Top grosser
Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 82% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$160M31.3% of the total
- 2$51M10.0% of the total
- 3$50M9.8% of the total
- 4$37M7.2% of the total
- 5$37M7.2% of the total
- 6$32M6.2% of the total
- 7$27M5.3% of the total
- 8$25M4.9% of the total
$92.1 millionfrom the other 11 films with a worldwide figure, 18% of the total
Awards
Five awards and honors from 1956 to 1996, three of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emmy Awards | |||
| 1996 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Picket Fences | Won |
| 1995 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Picket Fences | Won |
| Tony Awards | |||
| 1956 | Best Actor in a Musical | Won | |
| Other honors | |||
| Clarence Derwent Awards | Won | ||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.