---
name: "Robert Ridgely"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/robert-ridgely"
fi1m_id: "robert-ridgely"
imdb_id: "nm0725894"
tmdb_id: 25626
wikidata_id: "Q7349286"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "24 December 1931"
died: "8 February 1997"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-04T19:56:08.645135+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."
---

# Robert Ridgely

## Identity

Robert Ridgely

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/robert-ridgely
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** robert-ridgely
- **IMDb ID:** nm0725894
- **TMDB ID:** 25626
- **Wikidata ID:** Q7349286
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ridgely, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7349286, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0725894/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/25626

Actor. Born 24 December 1931 in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA. Died 8 February 1997.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 24 December 1931, Teaneck, New Jersey, USA
- **Died:** 8 February 1997
- **Active:** 1986–1997
- **Also known as:** Bob Ridgeley, Robert Ridgeley, Bob Ridgely, Robert 'Bob' Ridgely, Bob Ridgley, Robert Ridgley
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 65 (2), 1990s 72 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 59 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 4, Crime 2, Drama 2, Action 1, Romance 1
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $594m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ridgely, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7349286, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0725894/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/25626

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Something Wild*](https://film.one/film/something-wild.md) (82)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Robert Ridgely

> Robert Ridgely gives dubious men an ease that makes them worth watching. We rate him as a character actor whose comic assurance also serves drama, though repeated casting as oily charmers can make his abilities look narrower than they are.

Robert Ridgely plays Colonel James, the adult-film producer in *Boogie Nights* (1997), with a breeziness that makes him easy company without making him admirable. Paul Thomas Anderson wrote the part with him in mind, and the fit makes sense: Ridgely was often cast as men whose charm needed a little inspection. We rate the film highly for its performances and its handling of crowded scenes, even when the rise-and-fall story becomes familiar. Ridgely belongs in that company; he can make a supporting figure register without making the film wait for him.

That was a useful skill in the comedies of Mel Brooks, beginning with his hangman in *Blazing Saddles* (1974). Brooks repeatedly used him in eccentric or deadpan supporting parts, where the risk was that the oddity became the whole job. Jonathan Demme’s *Melvin and Howard* (1980) gives the smarminess a recognisable profession: Wally ‘Mr. Love’ Williams is a game-show host. These parts suit him, though a succession of oily charmers can make the actor’s next move too easy to anticipate.

Demme’s *Philadelphia* (1993) offers a harsher use for that apparent respectability, casting him as Walter Kenton, a homophobic lawyer. We found Kenton unpleasant to spend time with, because Ridgely makes his professional standing and his prejudice sit so comfortably together. It is effective supporting work in a film whose caution can be frustrating: the screenplay leaves too little space for lives beyond the case. The part asks for less comic eccentricity and gives us good reason to look beyond the Brooks roles.

His substantial animation and advertising career used another reliable asset: a robust, booming voice suited to heroes and authority figures. Those roles needed conviction in the voice, something that can be overlooked when remembering the oily hosts and eccentrics. Start with *Boogie Nights* for the breezy ease, then try *Philadelphia* for what happens when there is less reason to laugh.

## Biography

Robert Ridgely was an American actor and voice artist. Born Robert Ritterbusch on 24 December 1931 in Teaneck, New Jersey, he began his career as a cabaret entertainer before moving into television with guest appearances and a regular role as Lieutenant Kimbro in the series *The Gallant Men* (1962).

Ridgely appeared in films directed by Mel Brooks, including *Blazing Saddles* (1974) and *Robin Hood: Men in Tights* (1993), and by Jonathan Demme, including *Melvin and Howard* (1980) and *Philadelphia* (1993) as Walter Kenton. His later roles included *Beverly Hills Cop II* (1987) and *Boogie Nights* (1997) as The Colonel James. He also provided voices for numerous animated television series and specials. Ridgely died of cancer on 8 February 1997 in Toluca Lake, California.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, nytimes.com, rottentomatoes.com.*

## On Fi1m (5)

- *Boogie Nights* (1997), Fi1m 86, as The Colonel James — [page](https://film.one/film/boogie-nights.md)
- *Philadelphia* (1993), Fi1m 76, as Walter Kenton — [page](https://film.one/film/philadelphia.md)
- *Robin Hood: Men in Tights* (1993), Fi1m 55, as The Hangman — [page](https://film.one/film/robin-hood-men-in-tights.md)
- *Beverly Hills Cop II* (1987), Fi1m 48, as Mayor Egan — [page](https://film.one/film/beverly-hills-cop-ii.md)
- *Something Wild* (1986), Fi1m 82, as Richard Graves — [page](https://film.one/film/something-wild.md)

## Complete filmography (104)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Boogie Nights* (1997), as The Colonel James — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/boogie-nights.md)
- *Cow and Chicken* (1997), series, as Dr. Chunks (voice)
- *Fire Down Below* (1997), as Simon
- *Hard Eight* (1997), as Keno Bar Manager
- *That Thing You Do!* (1996), as Hollywood Showcase Announcer
- *Quack Pack* (1996), series, as Captain Jack (voice)
- *Multiplicity* (1996), as Laura's Father
- *Dexter's Laboratory* (1996), series, as Commander (voice), Barbequor / Commander (voice), Tracker #1 / Space Hick #2 (voice)
- *Dumb and Dumber* (1995), series, as Colonel Hopkins / Policeman (voice), Caller (voice), JVP (voice), Announcer (voice)
- *Ned & Stacey* (1995), series, as Al Nolan
- *Daisy-Head Mayzie* (1995), as Finch (voice)
- *Fantastic Four* (1994), series, as Skrull Emperor/Bicycle Rider/Police Chopper Pilot (voice), Skrull Emperor/Guard #2/Guard at Nuclear Power Plant/Skrull Paratrooper #1 (voice)
- *The Ref* (1994), as Bob Burley
- *Philadelphia* (1993), as Walter Kenton — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/philadelphia.md)
- *SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron* (1993), series, as Dr. Harley Street (voice)
- *Bonkers* (1993), series, Actor
- *Robin Hood: Men in Tights* (1993), as The Hangman — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/robin-hood-men-in-tights.md)
- *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as Madman (voice)
- *Goof Troop* (1992), series, as The Great Garbonzo (voice)
- *Fish Police* (1992), series, as Bob Sharks (voice)
- *Timeless Tales: The Steadfast Tin Soldier* (1991), Actor
- *Space Cats* (1991), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Planet of the Turtleoids* (1991), as Herman the Horrible (voice)
- *Life Stinks* (1991), as Fergueson
- *Music Machine* (1991), as Boogwart (voice)
- *Timeless Tales: The Emperor's New Clothes* (1990), as Sir Slippery (voice)
- *Evening Shade* (1990), series, as Mayor Taggard
- *TaleSpin* (1990), series, as Director (voice)
- *Bobby's World* (1990), series, Actor
- *Tom & Jerry Kids Show* (1990), series, as Sheriff Potgut (voice)
- *Gravedale High* (1990), series, as (voice)
- *Wings* (1990), series, as Big Strong Man
- *How I Got Into College* (1989), as George Kailo
- *Coach* (1989), series, as Carter Brooks
- *Star Street: The Happy Birthday Movie* (1989), Actor
- *The Dirk Diggler Story* (1988), as Jack Horner
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (1987), series, as Groundchuck (voice)
- *DuckTales* (1987), series, as Ripcord McQuack (voice)
- *Sky Commanders* (1987), series, as Mike Summit (voice)
- *Beverly Hills Cop II* (1987), as Mayor Egan — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/beverly-hills-cop-ii.md)
- *Something Wild* (1986), as Richard Graves — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/something-wild.md)
- *Designing Women* (1986), series, as Allen
- *Paw Paws* (1985), series, as Mighty Paw (voice)
- *The History of White People in America* (1985), Actor
- *Charles in Charge* (1984), series, as Frankie Romano
- *The Wild Life* (1984), as Craig Davis
- *Hunter* (1984), series, as Big Jack
- *Snorks* (1984), series, as Mr. Kelp
- *Mighty Orbots* (1984), series, Actor
- *Night Court* (1984), series, as Chuck Fleck
- *Domestic Life* (1984), series, as Cliff Hamilton
- *Beauty and the Beast* (1983), as Beast / Prince (voice)
- *Alvin and the Chipmunks* (1983), series, as (voice)
- *Saturday Supercade* (1983), series, as Pitfall Harry (voice)
- *Pitfall* (1983), series, as Pitfall Harry
- *Webster* (1983), series, as The Host
- *Peter and the Magic Egg* (1983), as (voice)
- *Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story* (1982), as Mort Weiner
- *Newhart* (1982), series, as Bruce Gordon
- *The Incredible Hulk* (1982), series, as General Ross (voice)
- *Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All* (1982), as Flash Gordon (voice)
- *Puff the Magic Dragon: The Incredible Mr. Nobody* (1982), as Mr. Nobody / Guard (voice)
- *Who Am I This Time?* (1982), as George Johnson
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as George Johnson
- *Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends* (1981), series, as Kraven the Hunter (voice)
- *Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City* (1981), as Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak (voice)
- *Thanksgiving in the Land of Oz* (1980), as Jack Pumpkinhead / Tyrone the Terrible Toy Tinkerer (voice)
- *Thundarr the Barbarian* (1980), series, as Thundarr (voice)
- *Melvin and Howard* (1980), as Wally "Mr. Love" Williams
- *Puff the Magic Dragon: The Land of the Living Lies* (1979), as Baron Munchausen / Snake / Cowboy / Prosecuting Attorney (voice)
- *Swap Meet* (1979), as Cop
- *Flash Gordon* (1979), series, as Flash Gordon / Prince Barin (voice)
- *Puff, the Magic Dragon* (1978), as Pirate / Pieman / Sneeze (voice)
- *WKRP in Cincinnati* (1978), series, as Dave Wickerman
- *Tarzan and the Super 7* (1978), series, Actor
- *Eyes of Laura Mars* (1978), as (uncredited)
- *High Anxiety* (1977), as Flasher
- *The Mouse and His Child* (1977), as Jack-in-the-Box (voice)
- *American Raspberry* (1977), as Celebrity Sportsman Host
- *Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle* (1976), series, as Tarzan (voice)
- *Sooper Goop* (1976), as (voice)
- *Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman* (1976), series, as Asst. D.A. Jeff Farlow
- *When Things Were Rotten* (1975), series, as Hollingsworth
- *The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat* (1974), as (voice)
- *The Great Lester Boggs* (1974), Actor
- *Down and Dirty Duck* (1974), as Car Salesman / Man at Bus Stop / Negro Gentleman / Big Fag / Police Officer / Tank (Voice)
- *Down and Dirty Duck* (1974), as Car Salesman / Man at Bus Stop / Negro Gentleman / Big Fag / Police Officer / Tank (voice), Additional Writing
- *Blazing Saddles* (1974), as Boris (uncredited)
- *Kung Fu* (1972), series, as Whipple
- *The Bob Newhart Show* (1972), series, as Elevator Repair Man, Marvin
- *A Day at the White House* (1972), as Informant
- *Chrome and Hot Leather* (1971), as Sergeant Mack
- *Countdown* (1967), as Little Bob (uncredited)
- *Get Smart* (1965), series, as Dracula
- *Nightmare in Chicago* (1964), as Dan McVeay
- *Mary, Mary* (1963), as Newcaster (voice) (uncredited)
- *Kraft Suspense Theatre* (1963), series, as Dan McVeay
- *The Gallant Men* (1962), series, Actor
- *Bus Stop* (1961), series, Actor
- *Surfside 6* (1960), series, Actor
- *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Father, Bartender
- *Bronco* (1958), series, Actor
- *Sea Hunt* (1958), series, as Cougar Norris, Conger Norris
- *Maverick* (1957), series, as Lt. Reed

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© 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/robert-ridgely