Papa Walton – Ralph Waite Dies at 85

They say that celebrity deaths seem to come in threes. If there is any truth to that, Ralph Waite completes the trio.

It started with Shirley Temple, then there was Sid Caesar and now the dad on the Waltons, Ralph Waite.

So far, there is no cause of death listed for the 85 year old star. Those close to him including 'Waltons' co-stars Richard Thomas and Michael Learned were both shocked to hear of the death since he seemed to be in excellent health.

Waite was living in Palm Springs at the time of his death.

No doubt, millions of the shows fans are also quite shocked to hear of his passing as well.

Although the bulk of his on-screen fame was due to his role on the Waltons, his list of credits goes all the way back to 1954