Ralph Moody

Ralph Moody was born on November 5, 1886 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA as Ralph Roy Moody, the oldest son of Franklin Jerome Moody and Ida M. Hicklin. His introduction to show business was first as an actor on the stage in pre-radio days and then as a radio personality.

His first acting role was in 1900 as the boy, Heinrich, in Rip Van Winkle.

At the 1904 World's Fair he sang tenor in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

The 1910 U.S. Census for Kewanee, Illinois, USA lists Ralph's occupation as "show troupe." In the 1930 U.S. Census he and his wife Hazel living in Hasting, Nebraska, USA have occupations listed as theatrical. In the 1940 U.S. Census Ralph and Hazel living in Topeka, Kansas, USA are both listed as radio entertainers.

The North Brothers Stock Company concluded its season with "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" in July 1916 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Ralph Moody had a small part as Mr. Etterson.

Ralph Moody was in the cast of "The Brat" in May 1919 at the Grand Opera House in Canton, Ohio, USA. He was seen as McMillan.

As head of the Hazel McOwen Stock Company Ralph Moody's organized a traveling troupe of actors and actors. His wife both acted in or directed many of the productions. In 1922 she directed "Old Settlers Picnic" and "Home Talent" in Davenport, Iowa, USA.

As a comedian playing the Lyric Theater, a Dallas, Texas, USA musical comedy house, Ralph Moody in 1927 featured himself as an imitator of Harold Lloyd.

He had a wide following as Uncle Abner on WIBW, CBS Radio, in the 1930's in Topeka, Kansas, USA. As Uncle Abner he was the town's barber, constable, postmaster, and chief source of information.

Ralph Moody's twenty years of circle stock, meaning a touring troupe of actors and actors, came to a sudden end in 1939. Four twisters wrecked two of his tents and three of his five tents. He moved from the acting circuit to full-time radio work and moved to WLW-Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Beginning in the mid-1940's he was a frequent radio cast member on The Roy Rogers Show.

Ralph Roy Moody was employed in 1942 by the Crosley Corporation in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

From 1944 to 1954 Ralph Moody was in the cast of 43 Roy Rogers Show radio programs.

For three months after arriving in California in 1945 Ralph was unable to find work in radio or films. He finally landed a role as a cowpoke on the radio serial, "Red Ryder.".

Ralph Moody signed a 1946 contract to do radio character roles every Thursday night on the Bob Burns program.

Every Sunday afternoon in 1947 an educational radio program aired called California Caravan. It dramatized major events in state history. The story of the Comstock Lode featured Ralph Moody as "Old Pancake." The California Parent-Teacher Association endorsed the series as one of radio's most entertaining educational programs.

Burly American character actor, on screen from 1948. Often seen as gruff old geezers or Native Americans. A favorite of director/producer Jack Webb, who used him on "Dragnet", as well as in films and on radio shows.

His first television roles were on three 1949-50 The Lone Ranger (1949) episodes, each time as an Indian chief with a different name. Frequently on TV westerns he had roles as an Indian, but was not type cast.

His range of characters included a variety of roles with Jack Webb on Dragnet (1951).

When Gunsmoke began its radio show run in 1952, Ralph Moody was one of the regular cast members. He began making film and television appearances at the age of 62.

While living in North Hollywood, California, USA in 1955, Ralph Moody's wife, Hazel B. McOwen, worked in the office of a Christian Science Reading Room.

Many of his dozen appearances on The Rifleman (1958) were as Doc Burrage.

He had six appearances on Bonanza (1959), most as an Indian, at the end of his 23 year acting career. He was married to Hazel B. McOwen.