Character actor Ned Wertimer died 2 January 2013 in Los Angeles, California, from complications following a fall at home in late November. Born 27 October 1923 in Buffalo, New York, he was best known for his recurring role as the Ralph the Doorman in The Jeffersons (he appeared in 51 of the 253 episodes).

Wertimer served as a pilot in World War II, and then attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, receiving a degree in business administration. While at Wharton, he began acting on the stage, and after graduation, quickly found himself on Broadway. In the early 1960s, he appeared in Bye Bye Birdie, Brigadoon, Cyrano de Bergerac, and many others.

He also started appearing on television in the 1950s, and moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1960s. Most of his screen roles were on television, though he did appear in several movies, including Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007, his last role). His other genre appearances include: Chiller (1985), Mork & Mindy (1979), The Pack (1977), The Strongest Man in the World (1975), and two episodes of I Dream of Jeannie (1968 and 1970).

He was also very involved in the actors’ unions AFTRA and SAG, serving for a long time on the board of directors of the AFTRA SAG Federal Credit Union.

Wertimer is survived by his wife of 34 years, Skyne, a sister-in-law, a niece, and three nephews.