Ralph Waite (June 22, 1928 – February 13, 2014) was an American actor, best known for his lead role as John Walton Sr. on ''The Waltons'' (1972–1981), which he occasionally directed. He later had recurring roles as two other heroic fathers; in ''NCIS'' as Jackson Gibbs, the father of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and in ''Bones'', as Seeley Booth's grandfather.