Ralph Bellamy

Lore & Background

Bellamy was born in Chicago and ran away from home at age 15 to work in a road show. He eventually landed in New York City, began acting on stage, and by 1927 owned his own theater company. He made his film debut in 1931 and appeared in 22 movies by the end of 1933, including *Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm* and *Picture Snatcher* with James Cagney. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for *The Awful Truth* (1937) and played similar naive boyfriend roles in *His Girl Friday* (1940).

During the 1940s, Bellamy portrayed detective Ellery Queen in several films but returned to the stage when his film career stalled. He won a Tony Award for playing Franklin Delano Roosevelt in *Sunrise at Campobello* on Broadway in 1957 and reprised the role in the 1960 film version. He served four terms as president of Actors' Equity from 1952 to 1964. Later film roles included *The Professionals* (1966), *Rosemary's Baby* (1968), *Trading Places* (1983), and *Pretty Woman* (1990).

Bellamy was married four times and was a Democrat who attended the 1960 Democratic National Convention. He died from a lung ailment at age 87 in Santa Monica, California.

Reader's Guide

Ralph Bellamy's significance lies in his versatility and longevity across stage, film, and television. He earned critical acclaim for both comedic and dramatic roles, from the naive boyfriend in *The Awful Truth* and *His Girl Friday* to the villainous Randolph Duke in *Trading Places*. His portrayal of Franklin D. Roosevelt in *Sunrise at Campobello* won him a Tony Award and became a defining role, which he reprised in later television miniseries *The Winds of War* and *War and Remembrance*. Bellamy also contributed to the industry as a four-term president of Actors' Equity. His legacy includes an Academy Honorary Award, a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His final film appearance was in *Pretty Woman* (1990).

Did You Know?

• Bellamy ran away from home at age 15 to work in a road show.
• He co-starred in five films with Fay Wray.
• He served four terms as president of Actors' Equity from 1952 to 1964.
• Bellamy opened the Palm Springs Racquet Club with actor Charles Farrell in 1934.