Ward was born in Glenside, Pennsylvania on March 15, 1915. He worked as a New York City police detective for ten years before beginning his acting career. Ward belatedly made his television debut in 1950 on the
Perry Como Show, later appearing on dramatic anthology series such as
Playhouse 90,
Studio One, and
Hallmark Hall of Fame, before becoming a familiar face on seventies sitcoms like
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,
All in the Family and
The Jeffersons. Ward made three guest appearances on
Good Times as
James's dad Henry (the name that James was known by on
Maude), who had walked out on James' mom and siblings when he was younger. The first episode he appeared on, Henry was discovered by
Thelma at a ship port where he was working and she brought him home to surprise James for his birthday. At first, James didn't want to see him, but after a deep conversation, Henry was welcomed by his son to join the celebration. James wished he could have 100 more years with his dad. The other two episodes Henry appeared on were after James' death. On
Sanford and Son, Ward appeared in the episode "The Stung" (1975); in it, Fred asks a professional gambler (played by Ward) to teach Lamont and his friends a lesson. In the
pilot film for the
cop show,
Starsky & Hutch, Ward played Captain Dobey, though in the series itself that role was played by
Bernie Hamilton. Ward did appear as a different character in one episode in the final series, shortly before his death due to a heart attack. He was married to Peggy Ward. ==Filmography==