Ray Walston was an American stage, television and film actor best known as the title character on the 1960s situation comedy My Favorite Martian. In addition, he is also remembered for his roles as Luther Billis in South Pacific , Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees , J.J. Singleton in The Sting , high school teacher Mr. Hand in Fast Times at Ridgemont High , and Judge Henry Bone on the drama series Picket Fences . Walston was born Herman Walston in New Orleans, Louisiana to working-class parents Mittie and Harry Norman Walston, a lumber man. He started acting at an early age, beginning his... tenure as a "spear carrier" rounding out productions at many New Orleans theaters. He mostly played small roles with stock companies, where he not only starred in traveling shows but also worked at a movie theater, selling tickets and cleaning the stage floors. His family moved to Dallas, Texas, where he joined a repertory theater company under Margo Jones, debuting in 1938.
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| Birthdate: | December 2, 1914 |
| Birthplace: | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Date of death: | January 1, 2001 |
| Also known as: | Herman Walston, Raymond Walston, Ray Wallston |