--- name: "Ralph Bellamy" canonical: "https://film.one/person/ralph-bellamy" fi1m_id: "ralph-bellamy" imdb_id: "nm0000897" tmdb_id: 1208 wikidata_id: "Q364135" roles: ["Actor"] born: "17 June 1904" died: "29 November 1991" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 82 average_as: "actor" average_over: 7 updated: "2026-09-26T16:36:20.021683+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Ralph Bellamy ## Identity Ralph Bellamy - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ralph-bellamy - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** ralph-bellamy - **IMDb ID:** nm0000897 - **TMDB ID:** 1208 - **Wikidata ID:** Q364135 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Bellamy, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q364135, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000897/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1208 Actor. Born 17 June 1904 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Died 29 November 1991. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 17 June 1904, Chicago, Illinois, USA - **Died:** 29 November 1991 - **Active:** 1937–1990 - **Also known as:** Ralph Rexford Bellamy, رالف بلامی - **Titles on Fi1m:** 8: 7 acting, 1 other - **Frequently works with:** [Cary Grant](https://film.one/person/cary-grant.md) - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination - **Average Fi1m score:** 82, as actor, over 7 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1930s 89 (1), 1940s 78 (3), 1960s 92 (1), 1980s 78 (2), 1990s 77 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 83 to 76 across 5 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 5, Romance 4, Drama 3, Horror 2, Crime 1, Thriller 1 - **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $590m across 4 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Bellamy, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q364135, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000897/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1208 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*Rosemary's Baby*](https://film.one/film/rosemarys-baby.md) (92) - **Pluto TV:** [*His Girl Friday*](https://film.one/film/his-girl-friday.md) (90) - **The Roku Channel:** [*The Awful Truth*](https://film.one/film/the-awful-truth.md) (89) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Trading Places*](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md) (80) - **Peacock:** [*The Wolf Man*](https://film.one/film/the-wolf-man.md) (78) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Ralph Bellamy > Ralph Bellamy made the earnest romantic rival worth caring about, even opposite Cary Grant. We rate his solid, unshowy presence, though the familiar casting could make it too easy to overlook the actor doing the work. Ralph Bellamy's earnest suitor looks as though he expects everyone else to behave reasonably. In *The Awful Truth* (1937) and *His Girl Friday* (1940), that puts him at a disadvantage beside Cary Grant, but it gives the comedy someone worth caring about. We warmed to his Bruce Baldwin in *His Girl Friday* because the decency never seemed beneath him. His earnestness gives Grant something firmer to play against than a fool. The trouble was how readily that figure became a casting instruction. Bellamy's shift towards Broadway in the mid-1940s matters because his dramatic work offered a less restricted use for the solidity that made him valuable in comedy. His stage portrayal of Franklin D. Roosevelt in *Sunrise at Campobello* (1958), reprised in the 1960 film, became central to his dramatic reputation. We need not dismiss the comic parts to recognise the restriction: being dependable is useful to a film, but it can make an actor too easy to take for granted. His resonant voice and craggy features also suited figures of authority. Later parts included Dr Sapirstein in *Rosemary's Baby* (1968) and Randolph Duke in *Trading Places* (1983), the latter alongside Don Ameche. We value that continued usefulness across horror and comedy, but the work with Grant remains the clearest place to see why his earnestness mattered. *Pretty Woman* (1990), his final screen appearance, places him in the supporting cast as James Morse. Our recommendation of that film rests chiefly on Julia Roberts, who makes it funny and affecting, and Richard Gere, who gives her room to work. We would not turn Bellamy's presence into the reason to see it, or mistake a late credit for a summation of his abilities. We recommend the romantic escapism, with reservations about its faith in wealth. For a better introduction to Bellamy himself, start with *His Girl Friday* and pay attention to the man trying to be reasonable. ## Biography Ralph Bellamy was an American actor whose career on stage, screen and television spanned more than six decades. Born in Chicago, he began performing in the early 1920s and appeared in his first film, The Secret Six, in 1931. He played leading and supporting roles in numerous films, including The Awful Truth (1937), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, His Girl Friday (1940), The Wolf Man (1941), Rosemary's Baby (1968), Trading Places (1983) and Coming to America (1988). On stage he won a Tony Award for his performance in Sunrise at Campobello (1958) and later portrayed Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1960 film adaptation. Bellamy was a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild and served as president of Actors' Equity from 1952 to 1964. He received an Academy Honorary Award in 1987. His final screen role was as James Morse in Pretty Woman (1990). He died in Santa Monica, California, in 1991. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.* ## On Fi1m (8) ### Performed in (7) — the average rests on these - *Pretty Woman* (1990), Fi1m 77, as James Morse — [page](https://film.one/film/pretty-woman.md) - *Trading Places* (1983), Fi1m 80, as Randolph Duke — [page](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md) - *Rosemary's Baby* (1968), Fi1m 92, as Dr. Sapirstein — [page](https://film.one/film/rosemarys-baby.md) - *The Wolf Man* (1941), Fi1m 78, as Colonel Montford — [page](https://film.one/film/the-wolf-man.md) - *Dance, Girl, Dance* (1940), Fi1m 66, as Steve Adams — [page](https://film.one/film/dance-girl-dance.md) - *His Girl Friday* (1940), Fi1m 90, as Bruce Baldwin — [page](https://film.one/film/his-girl-friday.md) - *The Awful Truth* (1937), Fi1m 89, as Dan Leeson — [page](https://film.one/film/the-awful-truth.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Coming to America* (1988), Fi1m 76, as Randolph Duke / Homeless Man #1 (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md) ## Complete filmography (180) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics* (1994), as Bruce Baldwin (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Pretty Woman* (1990), as James Morse — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/pretty-woman.md) - *Christine Cromwell* (1989), series, as Cyrus Blain - *War and Remembrance* (1988), series, as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt - *The Good Mother* (1988), as Grandfather Frank - *Coming to America* (1988), as Randolph Duke / Homeless Man #1 (uncredited) — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md) - *Amazon Women on the Moon* (1987), as Mr. Gower (segment "Titan Man") - *Disorderlies* (1987), as Albert Dennison - *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as August Redding - *Matlock* (1986), series, as Sen. Lambert Crawford - *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as (segment "Monsters!") - *Space* (1985), series, as Paul Stidham - *The Fourth Wise Man* (1985), as Abgarus - *Love Leads the Way: A True Story* (1984), as Sen. Christi - *Trading Places* (1983), as Randolph Duke — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md) - *The Winds of War* (1983), series, as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt - *Hotel* (1982), series, Actor - *Aloha Paradise* (1981), series, Actor - *The Memory of Eva Ryker* (1980), as William E. Ryker - *Condominium* (1980), series, as Lee Messenger - *Power* (1980), series, as Ben Frelinghuysen - *The Billion Dollar Threat* (1979), as Miles Larson - *The Millionaire* (1978), as George Mathews - *The Clone Master* (1978), as Ezra Louthin - *Wheels* (1978), series, as Lowell Baxter - *Oh, God!* (1977), as Sam Raven - *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Arnold Hamilton - *Charlie Cobb: Nice Night for a Hanging* (1977), as McVea - *Testimony of Two Men* (1977), series, as Dr. Jim Spaulding - *Hunter* (1977), series, as Harold Baker (uncredited) - *Arthur Hailey's The Moneychangers* (1976), series, as Jerome Patterson - *Once an Eagle* (1976), series, as Ed Caldwell - *The Boy in the Plastic Bubble* (1976), as Dr. Gunther - *Nightmare in Badham County* (1976), as Judge - *Return to Earth* (1976), as Col. Edwin E. Aldrin - *McNaughton's Daughter* (1976), series, as Moses Bellman - *Murder on Flight 502* (1975), as Dr. Kenyon Walker - *Medical Story* (1975), series, as Dr. Marshak - *Search for the Gods* (1975), as Dr. Henderson - *Adventures of the Queen* (1975), as J.L. Dundeen - *The Log of the Black Pearl* (1975), as Capt. Fitzsimmons - *The Missiles of October* (1974), as U.N. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson - *The Missiles of October* (1974), series, as Adlai Stevenson - US Ambassador to UN - *Little House on the Prairie* (1974), series, as Dr. Marvin Haynes - *Cancel My Reservation* (1972), as John Ed - *The Bob Newhart Show* (1972), series, as Alan Dreeben - *Something Evil* (1972), as Harry Lincoln - *Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law* (1971), series, as Wendall Burke - *Cannon* (1971), series, Actor - *Doctors' Wives* (1971), as Jake Porter - *The Most Deadly Game* (1970), series, as Ethan Arcane - *The Immortal* (1969), as Dr. Matthew Pearce - *Medical Center* (1969), series, Actor - *Harold Robbins' The Survivors* (1969), series, as Baylor Carlyle - *Rosemary's Baby* (1968), as Dr. Sapirstein — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/rosemarys-baby.md) - *Wings of Fire* (1967), as Doug Sanborn - *The Invaders* (1967), series, as Morgan Tate - *CBS Playhouse* (1966), series, as Ned's Father - *The Professionals* (1966), as Grant - *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Captain Jennerson, Mark Dryden - *Run for Your Life* (1965), series, as Cal Phillips - *The Eleventh Hour* (1962), series, as Dr. L. Richard Starke - *Westinghouse Presents: The Dispossessed* (1961), as Lambertson - *Dr. Kildare* (1961), series, as Dr. L Richard Starke - *Who Killed Julie Greer?* (1961), as Judge Hansen - *The 10 from Texas* (1961), as (archive footage) - *Sunrise at Campobello* (1960), as Franklin Delano Roosevelt - *The Barbara Stanwyck Show* (1960), series, as Dobson - *Checkmate* (1960), series, as Governor Tom Barker - *The DuPont Show with June Allyson* (1959), series, as Willard Mitchell - *Rawhide* (1959), series, as Judge Quince, Marshal Hanson Dickson - *The Christmas Tree* (1958), as Theron - *Suspicion* (1957), series, as Detective Thorpe - *Overseas Press Club - Exclusive!* (1957), series, as Col. Andy Morgan, Eddy Gilmore - *The Defender (Studio One)* (1957), as Walter Preston - *Heritage of Anger* (1956), as Eddie Hanneman - *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Joel Todd - *Affair in Sumatra* (1956), as Dr. Martin Kelog - *The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell* (1955), as Congressman Frank R. Reid - *The Devil's Disciple* (1955), as Pastor Anderson - *Screen Director's Playhouse* (1955), series, as Dr. Martin Kelog - *Playwrights '56* (1955), series, Actor - *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Sheriff Bassett - *Climax!* (1954), series, as Phillip Hardecker, Sr., Hap Kennelly, Damon Runyon - *The United States Steel Hour* (1953), series, Actor - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Col. Tom Wheeler - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Pastor Anderson, Theron - *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, as Joe McQuade - *24 Hours of Progress* (1950), as Narrator - *The Maya Through the Ages* (1950), as Narrator - *Your Show of Shows* (1950), series, Actor - *Man Against Crime* (1949), series, as Mike Barnett - *Studio One* (1948), series, as Todd McNeill, Walter Preston - *The Philco Television Playhouse* (1948), series, as Tice Collins - *Seeds of Destiny* (1946), as Narrator - *Lady on a Train* (1945), as Jonathan Waring - *Delightfully Dangerous* (1945), as Arthur Hale - *Library of Congress* (1945), as Narrator - *Guest in the House* (1944), as Douglas Proctor - *Stage Door Canteen* (1943), as Ralph Bellamy - *The Great Impersonation* (1942), as Sir Edward Dominey / Baron Leopold von Ragenstein - *Men of Texas* (1942), as Major Lamphere - *Lady in a Jam* (1942), as Stanley - *The Ghost of Frankenstein* (1942), as Erik Ernst - *The Wolf Man* (1941), as Colonel Montford — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-wolf-man.md) - *Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring* (1941), as Ellery Queen - *Dive Bomber* (1941), as Lance Rogers - *Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime* (1941), as Ellery Queen - *Affectionately Yours* (1941), as Owen Wright - *Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery* (1941), as Ellery Queen - *Footsteps in the Dark* (1941), as Dr. R.L. Davis - *Ellery Queen, Master Detective* (1940), as Ellery Queen - *Meet the Wildcat* (1940), as Lt. Brad Williams - *Public Deb No. 1* (1940), as Bruce Fairchild - *Dance, Girl, Dance* (1940), as Steve Adams — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/dance-girl-dance.md) - *Queen of the Mob* (1940), as Agent Scott Langham - *Brother Orchid* (1940), as Clarence P. Fletcher - *Flight Angels* (1940), as Bill Graves - *His Girl Friday* (1940), as Bruce Baldwin — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/his-girl-friday.md) - *Coast Guard* (1939), as Raymond Dower - *Blind Alley* (1939), as Dr. Shelby - *Let Us Live* (1939), as Lieutenant Everett - *Breakdowns of 1938* (1938), as Philip Chester (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Smashing the Spy Ring* (1938), as John Baxter - *Trade Winds* (1938), as Ben Blodgett - *Girls' School* (1938), as Michael Hendragin - *Carefree* (1938), as Stephen Arden - *Boy Meets Girl* (1938), as C. Elliott 'C.F.' Friday - *Fools for Scandal* (1938), as Phillip Chester - *The Crime of Doctor Hallet* (1938), as Dr. Paul Hallet - *The Awful Truth* (1937), as Dan Leeson — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/the-awful-truth.md) - *It Can't Last Forever* (1937), as Russ Matthews - *Let's Get Married* (1937), as Kirk Duncan - *Counterfeit Lady* (1936), as Johnny Pierce - *Wild Brian Kent* (1936), as Brian Kent - *The Man Who Lived Twice* (1936), as Slick Rawley / Dr. James Blake - *Straight from the Shoulder* (1936), as Curt Hayden - *The Final Hour* (1936), as John Vickery - *Roaming Lady* (1936), as Daniel S. 'Dan' Bailey - *Dangerous Intrigue* (1936), as Tony Halliday - *Hands Across the Table* (1935), as Allen Macklyn - *Navy Wife* (1935), as Dr. Quentin Harden - *The Healer* (1935), as Dr. Holden - *Air Hawks* (1935), as Barry Eldon - *Eight Bells* (1935), as Steve Andrews - *The Wedding Night* (1935), as Fredrik Sobieski - *Gigolette* (1935), as Terry Gallagher - *Rendezvous at Midnight* (1935), as Commissioner Robert Edmonds - *Helldorado* (1935), as J.F. Van Avery - *Woman in the Dark* (1934), as John Bradley - *Girl in Danger* (1934), as Insp. Steve Trent - *One Is Guilty* (1934), as Insp. Steve Trent - *The Crime of Helen Stanley* (1934), as Insp. Steve Trent - *This Man Is Mine* (1934), as Jim Dunlap - *Once to Every Woman* (1934), as Dr. Barclay - *Spitfire* (1934), as George Fleetwood - *Before Midnight* (1933), as Insp. Steve Trent - *Ever in My Heart* (1933), as Jeff - *Ace of Aces* (1933), as Captain Blake - *Blind Adventure* (1933), as Jim Steele - *Headline Shooter* (1933), as Hal - *Flying Devils* (1933), as 'Speed' Hardy - *The Narrow Corner* (1933), as Eric Whittenson - *Picture Snatcher* (1933), as J.R. 'Al' McLean - *Destination Unknown* (1933), as Stowaway - *Below the Sea* (1933), as McCreary - *Parole Girl* (1933), as Smith - *Second Hand Wife* (1933), as Carter Cavendish - *Wild Girl* (1932), as Jack Marbury - *Air Mail* (1932), as Mike Miller - *Almost Married* (1932), as Deene Maxwell - *Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm* (1932), as Dr Ladd - *The Woman in Room 13* (1932), as John Bruce - *Young America* (1932), as Judge Blake - *Disorderly Conduct* (1932), as Captain Tom Manning - *Forbidden* (1932), as Al Holland - *Surrender* (1931), as Captain Ebbing - *West of Broadway* (1931), as Mac - *The Magnificent Lie* (1931), as Bill Childers - *The Secret Six* (1931), as Johnny Franks ## Gallery - ![Ralph Bellamy](https://film.one/media/person/77498/gallery-ffe38aa9f039.jpg) Ralph Bellamy — CBS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Ralph_Bellamy_still.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![In the 1935 film Navy Wife, Claire Trevor plays a nurse who becomes romantically involved with two doctors (played by Ralph Bellamy and Ben Lyon) serving in the](https://film.one/media/person/77498/gallery-bd1de8765352.jpg) In the 1935 film Navy Wife, Claire Trevor plays a nurse who becomes romantically involved with two doctors (played by Ralph Bellamy and Ben Lyon) serving in the — Unknown motion picture publicity photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/ClaireTrevor-NavyWife-1935.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Ralph Bellamy](https://film.one/media/person/77498/gallery-b46503ed87e5.jpg) Ralph Bellamy — Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Eleanor_Roosevelt%2C_Ralph_Bellamy%2C_and_Greer_Garson_%28filming_Sunrise_at_Campobello%29_in_Hyde_Park_-_NARA_-_196048.jpg/1280px-Eleanor_Roosevelt%2C_Ralph_Bellamy%2C_and_Greer_Garson_%28filming_Sunrise_at_Campobello%29_in_Hyde_Park_-_NARA_-_196048.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Gail Patrick and Ralph Bellamy in The Crime of Helen Stanley, 1934. Original Promo Photo, 8x10 (inches)](https://film.one/media/person/77498/gallery-dda5879f1bee.jpg) Gail Patrick and Ralph Bellamy in The Crime of Helen Stanley, 1934. Original Promo Photo, 8x10 (inches) — Columbia Pictures / Photographer not credited, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Gail_Patrick_and_Ralph_Bellamy_in_%27The_Crime_of_Helen_Stanley%27%2C_1934.jpg/1280px-Gail_Patrick_and_Ralph_Bellamy_in_%27The_Crime_of_Helen_Stanley%27%2C_1934.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ralph Bellamy](https://film.one/media/person/77498/gallery-a64d5b566fb4.jpg) Ralph Bellamy — Image via TMDB - ![Ralph Bellamy](https://film.one/media/person/77498/gallery-bff185ea0c47.jpg) Ralph Bellamy — Image via TMDB - ![Ralph Bellamy](https://film.one/media/person/77498/gallery-1c2482d5d5b9.jpg) Ralph Bellamy — Image via TMDB - ![Composite of the main cast of the short-lived nighttime soap opera Harold Robbins' The Survivors. From left-top-Lana Turner and George Hamilton. Bottom-Ralph Be](https://film.one/media/person/77498/gallery-a974aa9171db.jpg) Composite of the main cast of the short-lived nighttime soap opera Harold Robbins' The Survivors. From left-top-Lana Turner and George Hamilton. Bottom-Ralph Be — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Harold_Robbins_The_Survivors_cast.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![promotional material for the proposed film Havoc, said to feature Spencer Tracy, Peggy Shannon, and Ralph Bellamy. The film was unfinished or unreleased. (1932)](https://film.one/media/person/77498/gallery-847a3d2a7c00.jpg) promotional material for the proposed film Havoc, said to feature Spencer Tracy, Peggy Shannon, and Ralph Bellamy. The film was unfinished or unreleased. (1932) — Fox Film Corporation, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Havoc_-_1932_promo.jpg/1280px-Havoc_-_1932_promo.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ralph Bellamy](https://film.one/media/person/77498/gallery-4ab345ceef3e.jpg) Ralph Bellamy — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 1938: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *The Awful Truth* ### Other awards — 2 won - Academy Honorary Award 1987: Academy Honorary Award (won) - Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1958: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ralph-bellamy