1. Ralph Ernest Dumke was an American comedian and actor who had an active career from the early 1920s up until his death in 1964.
11 Facts About Ralph Dumke
1. 2.
Ralph Dumke graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he was a varsity football player.
3.
Ralph Dumke began his career in Chicago as a vaudeville entertainer in the early 1920s as part of a comedy duo with Ed East entitled "The Mirthquakers".
4.
Ralph Dumke later portrayed the role of Captain Walt, the host of Hook 'n' Ladder Follies on NBC.
5.
In 1942 Ralph Dumke made his Broadway debut as Hercules in the original production of Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers's By Jupiter.
6.
Ralph Dumke returned to Broadway numerous times during the 1940s, appearing as General Bardini in The Merry Widow, Calchas in Helen Goes to Troy, the Duke of Maddeloni in The Maid as Mistress, Joe Horn in Sadie Thompson, Dapper Dan Pepper in Mr Strauss Goes to Boston, and Cap'n Andy in Show Boat.
7.
Ralph Dumke appeared in several productions with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, including The Chocolate Soldier and Rosalinda.
8.
Ralph Dumke appeared as a character actor in over forty feature films between 1949 and 1961, including crime pictures, films noir, dramas, mysteries, Westerns, horror, science fiction, musicals, and comedies.
9.
Ralph Dumke made guest appearances on several programs during the 1950s and 1960s, including The Bob Cummings Show, I Love Lucy, December Bride, Waterfront, My Little Margie, Perry Mason, and The Andy Griffith Show.
10.
Ralph Dumke was married to Greta Leona Edner from 1925 until his death.
11.
On January 4,1964, Ralph Dumke died of "a sudden heart seizure" at his home at age 64.