Robert Ridgely (December 24, 1931 – February 8, 1997) was an American actor, known for both on-camera roles and extensive voice-over work.
Early life Ridgely was born in Teaneck, New Jersey. Before becoming an actor, he worked as a cabaret entertainer.
Career He served as a talk show host with Woody Woodbury. Ridgely appeared in commercials, including a classic McDonald's commercial, staged as a Broadway production number, where he sings "there is nothin' so clean – as my burger machine". He guest starred in TV series such as Sea Hunt and the Warner Bros. Television series Maverick, Lawman, and Surfside 6. He landed a regular role as Lieutenant Kimbro in the short-lived World War II series The Gallant Men. After the series was cancelled, he made guest appearances in shows, including Bonanza, WKRP in Cincinnati, Coach, Night Court, Wings, and Designing Women.
He appeared in various films, including two productions directed by Robert Altman early in his career, Nightmare in Chicago and Countdown. He also appeared in several Mel Brooks productions, including Blazing Saddles (1974), High Anxiety (1977), Life Stinks (1991) and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). Ridgley starred in other films, including Something Wild (1986), Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Philadelphia (1993), and Boogie Nights (1997). He put his strong voice to use in voice-over roles in films like Down and Dirty Duck (1974) and television specials such as Thanksgiving in the Land of Oz (aka Dorothy in the Land of Oz) (1980). He did a great deal of voice work in animated series as well, including the titular heroes in Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, The New Adventures of Flash Gordon, and Thundarr the Barbarian. From 1985 to 1996, Ridgely was one of ABC's main primetime promo announcers. He also voiced the Peculiar Purple Pieman in the 1980s Strawberry Shortcake specials, Rex Charger in The Centurions, Thunderbolt Ross in The Incredible Hulk (1982), Finch in Daisy-Head Mayzie, and Commander Chief in Dexter's Laboratory.
Death Ridgely died of cancer on February 8, 1997, at his home in the Toluca Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1964 Nightmare in Chicago Dan McVeay 1971 Chrome and Hot Leather Sergeant Mack 1974 Blazing Saddles Boris, the hangman 1974 The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat The Devil (voice) 1974 Down and Dirty Duck Car Salesman (voice) 1977 High Anxiety Flasher 1977 Prime Time a.k.a. American Raspberry Celebrity Sportsman Host 1977 The Mouse and His Child Jack-in-the-Box (voice) 1980 Melvin and Howard Wally 'Mr. Love' Williams 1983 Heart Like a Wheel Bob Morton, 'Sportsline' 1984 The Wild Life Craig Davis 1986 Something Wild Richard Graves 1987 Beverly Hills Cop II Mayor Ted Egan 1988 The Dirk Diggler Story Jack Horner Short film 1993 Philadelphia Walter Kenton 1993 Robin Hood: Men in Tights Hangman 1994 The Ref Bob Burley 1996 Hard Eight Keno Bar Manager 1996 Multiplicity Laura's Father 1996 That Thing You Do! Hollywood Showcase Announcer 1997 Fire Down Below Simon Posthumous release 1997 Boogie Nights Colonel James Posthumous release; final film role
Television Year Title Role Notes 1974 Hong Kong Phooey Additional voices Recurring role 1975 Uncle Croc's Block Steve Exhaustion ("Star Time" segment), Bullseye, Hilda, Sonar, Tricky John Trooper (voices: "M.U.S.H." segment) Main role 1976-1979 Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle Tarzan (voice) Main role 1978 Puff the Magic Dragon Pirate, Pieman, Sneeze (voice) Television special 1979–1982 The New Adventures of Flash Gordon Flash Gordon (voice) Main role1980The World of Strawberry ShortcakePeculiar Purple Pieman (voice)Television special 1980 Thanksgiving in the Land of Oz Jack Pumpkinhead, Tyron (voice) Television special 1980 The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang Additional voices Recurring role 1980–1981 Thundarr the Barbarian Thundarr (voice) Main role1981Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple CityPeculiar Purple Pieman (voice)Television special 1981 The Smurfs Additional voices Recurring role1982Strawberry Shortcake: Pets on ParadePeculiar Purple Pieman (voice)Television special 1982 Richie Rich Collector (voice) 3 episodes 1982–1983 The Incredible Hulk Thunderbolt Ross (voice) Main role1983Strawberry Shortcake: Housewarming SurprisePeculiar Purple Pieman (voice)Television special 1983 Alvin and the Chipmunks Additional voices Recurring role 1983 Monchhichis Additional voices Recurring role 1983 Saturday Supercade Pitfall Harry (voice, "Pitfall!" segment) Main role1984Strawberry Shortcake and the Baby Without a NamePeculiar Purple Pieman (voice)Television special 1984–1985 Lucky Luke Jolly Jumper (voice: English dub) Main role 1984 Snorks Mr. Kelp Recurring role1985Strawberry Shortcake Meets the BerrykinsPeculiar Purple Pieman (voice)Television special 1985 The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo Captain Ferguson / Time Slime (voice) 2 episodes 1985 Galtar and the Golden Lance Additional voices Recurring role 1985 The Jetsons Additional voices Recurring role 1985 Paw Paws Mighty Paw (voice) Main role 1987 DuckTales RipCord McQuack (voice) Episode: "Top Duck" 1989 Denver, the Last Dinosaur Douggie (voice) Episode: "Party Time" 1989 The Karate Kid Additional voices Recurring role 1990 TaleSpin C.V. (voice) Episode: "A Star Is Torn" 1990 The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda Additional Voices Recurring role 1990 Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures Additional voices Recurring role 1990 Gravedale High Colonel Saddlesore (voice) Episode: "Frankenjockey" 1991 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Groundchuck (voice) 3 episodes 1992 Tom & Jerry Kids Sheriff Potgut (voice) 2 episodes 1992 Capitol Critters Additional Voices 2 episodes 1992 Fish Police Bob Sharks (voice) Episode: "Beauty's Only Fin Deep" 1992 Goof Troop Great Garbonzo (voice) Episode: "Talent to the Max" 1992 Batman: The Animated Series Madman (voice) Episode: "Appointment in Crime Alley" 1993 SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron Dr. Harley Street (voice) Episode: "The Ci-Kat-A" 1993 Bonkers Al Vermin / Z-Bot (voice) 6 episodes 1994 Fantastic Four Skrull Emperor, Additional voices 2 episodes 1995 Daisy-Head Mayzie Finch (voice) Television film 1995 Dumb and Dumber Various voices 2 episodes 1996 Dexter's Laboratory Commander General, Various voices 4 episodes 1996 Quack Pack Captain Jack (voice) Episode: "Ready, Aim...Duck!" 1997 Cow and Chicken Dr. Chunks (voice) Episode: "Part Time Job"; posthumous release
References
External links
TV.com page for Robert Ridgely New York Times movie page for Robert Ridgely Movie stills of Robert Ridgely