Born on June 22, 1928, in White Plains, New York, he was an American actor best known for his role as John Walton Sr. on the popular TV series "The Waltons," which aired from 1972 to 1981. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and later pursued a career in social work before turning to acting. With a career spanning several decades, he appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "Roots" and "NCIS." He was also involved in politics and community service. He passed away on February 13, 2014.