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.
Police Story: No Margin for Error
1978
Across 110th Street
1972
Mandingo
1975
The Jerk
1979
Brubaker
1980
For Pete's Sake
1974
The Cool World
1963
Nothing But a Man
1964
Cops and Robbers
1973
Contract on Cherry Street
1977
Starsky & Hutch
1975
Black Like Me
1964
Family Enforcer
1976
Brother John
1971
The Learning Tree
1969
Sty of the Blind Pig
1974
Carib Gold
1956
Freeman
1977