Richard Ward

Acting

Richard Ward

Born 1915-03-15 · Glenside, Pennsylvania, US

Richard Ward, (March 15, 1915 – July 1, 1979) was a gravel-voiced African American actor on the stage, television, and in films, from 1949 until his death. Though best known through his TV appearances late in life, both in sitcoms and police procedurals, Ward also had an extensive film resume and a distinguished stage career, one of the highlights of the latter being his portrayal of Willy Loman in the 1972 production of Death of a Salesman, staged in Baltimore's Center Stage (the first African American production of Arthur Miller's signature opus, produced with the playwright's blessing); Ward's own favorite among his theatrical vehicles was Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.

Acting credits

Brubaker poster
7.1

The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.

Brubaker

1980

Mandingo poster
6.6

Warren Maxwell, the owner of a run-down plantation, pressures his son, Hammond, to marry and produce an heir to inherit the plantation. Hammond settles on his own cousin, Blanche, but purchases a sex slave when he returns from the honeymoon. He also buys his father a new Mandingo slave named Mede to breed and train as a prize-fighter.

Mandingo

1975

The Jerk poster
6.9

After discovering he's not really black like the rest of his family, likable dimwit Navin Johnson sets off on a hilarious misadventure that takes him from rags to riches and back again. The slaphappy jerk strikes it rich, but life in the fast lane isn't all it's cracked up to be and, in the end, all that really matters to Johnson is his true love.

The Jerk

1979

Starsky & Hutch poster
6.9

A young couple in a car exactly like Starsky's is killed by hitmen and word is out on the street that there's a contract out on Starsky and Hutch. This is a TV-pilot that was an ABC Movie of the Week and later turned into the TV-series.

Starsky & Hutch

1975

Family Enforcer poster
6.3

A kid from the neighborhood goes to work for the Mafia as a collector.

Family Enforcer

1976

Across 110th Street poster
6.7

In a daring robbery, some $300,000 is taken from the Italian mob. Several mafiosi are killed, as are two policemen. Lt. Pope and Capt. Mattelli are two New York City cops trying to break the case. Three small-time criminals are on the run with the money. Will the mafia catch them first, or will the police?

Across 110th Street

1972

No artwork available
7.0

The last few days in the life of Socrates, including his trial.

Barefoot in Athens

1966

For Pete's Sake poster
5.8

Henrietta Robbins borrows money from a loan shark to finance her husband's investment in the stock market. However, when their stock plummets, she scrambles to find a way to pay the money back.

For Pete's Sake

1974

Cops and Robbers poster
6.3

Two disillusioned New York policemen plan a $10 million robbery to fuel their low pensions, only to run into one debacle after another in the process.

Cops and Robbers

1973

The Learning Tree poster
6.8

The story, set in Kansas during the 1920's, covers less than a year in the life of a black teenager, and documents the veritable deluge of events which force him into sudden manhood. The family relationships and enmities, the fears, frustrations and ambitions of the black teenager in small-town America are explored with a strong statement about human values.

The Learning Tree

1969

Nothing But a Man poster
7.4

Railroad laborer Duff Anderson struggles to maintain his dignity and marriage to a preacher's daughter in the racially segregated South.

Nothing But a Man

1964

Carib Gold poster
5.5

The hard-working but struggling crew of a shrimp boat discover a sunken treasure. Trouble ensues in this dramatic black-cast production.

Carib Gold

1956

Contract on Cherry Street poster
6.8

A policeman devises an unorthodox plan for bringing criminals to justice after his partner is brutally gunned down.

Contract on Cherry Street

1977

Brother John poster
6.5

An enigmatic man returns to his Alabama hometown as his sister is dying of cancer and incites the suspicion of notable town officials.

Brother John

1971

The Cool World poster
5.5

A fifteen-year-old boy wants to buy a gun from an adult racketeer named Priest, in order to become president of the gang to which he belongs, and to return them to active "bopping" (gang fighting) which has declined in Harlem.

The Cool World

1964

Black Like Me poster
6.2

Black Like Me is the true account of journalist and author John Griffin's experiences when he passed as a black man.

Black Like Me

1964

Freeman poster
6.0

This 1977 drama by Phillip Hayes Dean, deals with the sad division between what a man hopes for and what he achieves. In the title role, Dick Anthony Williams portrays a naïve, ambitious, recklessly optimistic man who is not understood by those closest to him and who finds himself in difficulty because of his unrealistic hopes.

Freeman

1977

Police Story: No Margin for Error poster
7.0

Two policemen are suspected of excessive violence and causing two deaths. The investigation brings to light, little by little, the whole truth.

Police Story: No Margin for Error

1978

No artwork available
NR

“As the German blitz raids reach their 39th day further air raids are to be expected at anytime…” At BBC broadcasting House, Bruce Belfrage and the rest of the staff are preparing the nightly news for millions of anxious listeners, but when the building suffers a direct hit they must pull together to face a terrible choice. Inspired by a true story.

All Men's Dead

2012

Sty of the Blind Pig poster
10.0

After moving to Chicago from the South just as the civil rights movement takes hold, the members of an African American family led by steely matriarch Weedy Warren have different reactions to the social upheaval surrounding them.

Sty of the Blind Pig

1974