Wilton Graff

American actor (1903–1969) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wilton Graff (born Wilton Calvert Ratcliffe; August 13, 1903 January 13, 1969) was an American actor.

Born
Wilton Calvert Ratcliffe

(1903-08-13)August 13, 1903
DiedJanuary 13, 1969(1969-01-13) (aged 65)
OccupationActor
Yearsactive19391964
Quick facts Born, Died ...
Wilton Graff
Graff in Bloodlust! (1961)
Born
Wilton Calvert Ratcliffe

(1903-08-13)August 13, 1903
DiedJanuary 13, 1969(1969-01-13) (aged 65)
OccupationActor
Years active19391964
Spouses
Mary Goodwin
(m. 1938; died 1950)
Elizabeth W. Wilson
(m. 1952)
Children1
Close

Early years

Graff was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Graff.[1] He graduated from West Hartford High School in 1921.[2]

Career

Before he became an actor, Graff worked for newspapers, including The Hartford Times, The Springfield Republican, and the Paris Herald.[3]

Graff debuted on Broadway in Fantasia (1933). His last Broadway appearance was in Gabrielle (1941).[4] He began working in movies in the 1940s and eventually appeared in dozens, usually as a professional man or an authority figure, such as a military officer. He starred in only one film, Bloodlust!, playing against type as an obvious, deranged villain. Most of his work in the last 10 years of his career was on television.[5]

In 1956, he guest starred on James Arness's TV Western Series Gunsmoke, as “Troy Carver”, in the episode “20-20” (S1E19) as an aging lawman losing both his eyesight and his faith in his ability to handle his job.

Death

Graff died in Pacific Palisades, California on January 14, 1969. He was 65 years old.[6]

Partial filmography

References

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