Matinee Classics - Ralph Taeger Biography & Filmography

Ralph Taeger ACTOR

RALPH TAEGER BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Ralph Taeger was born on July 30th, 1936 in Queens, New York. As a young boy he was very shy, therefore, his parents enrolled him in public speaking classes to help him overcome this.

After high school he enrolled in college and became involved in a number of school productions and also participated in summer stock. In addition to showing an interest in acting, Taeger also excelled as a baseball player and had goals of going professional, until a knee injury had him reconsider other professions.

Taeger then decided to give acting a try and enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. He worked as a male model on the side to make a living. After receiving some training in the field, he decided to relocate to Los Angeles and found work as a stage actor at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.

During one production, a talent scout with MGM took notice of him and signed him to a contract. Soon he was being cast in small roles on the film, "It Started with a Kiss" (1959) and the television series, "Lock Up" (1960), "Men Into Space" (1960), "Bat Masterson" (1960) and "Tombstone Territory" (1959-1960).

MGM then ended his contract and he began to work as a freelance actor, mostly focusing on the television industry. He added such series to his credits as, "Manhunt", "Tombstone Territory", "Sea Hunt" and he played the starring lead role in, "Klondike" (1960).

Other more prominent roles were on the series, "Hondo" (1967), however this series only lasted three months. He did also appear on the films, "X-15" (1961), "Stage to Thunder Rock" (1964), "A House Is Not a Home" (1964) and "The Carpetbaggers" (1964) starring George Peppard, but for the most part, he was never able to break into Hollywood as one of the top leading actors.

He retired from the industry after his last role in 1983 on the television series, "Father Murphy" and found work as a car salesman as well as part time work as a tennis instructor. He also for some time owned Taeger's Firewood and sold firewood as a wholesaler in Northern California.

Ralph Taeger married only once to Linda Jarret in 1967 and they have one son and remain together today.

Filmography

1983 Father Murphy

1977-1982 Quincy, M.E.

1977 The Hostage Heart

1975 The Six Million Dollar Man

1970 The Delta Factor

1967 Hondo

1965 The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

1964 A House Is Not a Home

1964 Stage to Thunder Rock

1964 The Carpetbaggers

1964 Twilight Zone