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IMDbPro

Ralph Archbold(1942-2017)

  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Ralph Archbold is the "official" 20-21st Century Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. Coincidentally, this talented actor shares a January 17 birthday with Benjamin Franklin! In the past 35 years, he has portrayed Ben Franklin more than 7000 times at political events as well as community events. He also delights in teaching both young and old. His knowledge of Benjamin Franklin's life is nearly endless and, when dressed as Benjamin Franklin, Ralph Archbold remains in character at all times.

A new exhibit in historic downtown Philadelphia that lets people seemingly converse with the ghost of Ben Franklin was created by filming more than 100 hours of Ralph Archbold as Ben Franklin. The exhibit, called "Ben Franklin's Ghost," was developed by Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), after Pennsylvania's Governor Edward G. Rendell visited ETC and thought the project could help celebrate the founding father's 300th birthday.
BornJanuary 17, 1942
DiedMarch 25, 2017(75)
BornJanuary 17, 1942
DiedMarch 25, 2017(75)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Add photos, demo reels

Known for

The Ride of Tom & Valkyrie (2011)
The Ride of Tom & Valkyrie
8.1
  • Ben Franklin
  • 2011
As the World Turns (1956)
As the World Turns
6.3
TV Series
  • Ben Franklin Impersonator
  • Irv Finsterwald - Ben Franklin Impersonator
Benjamin Franklin (2002)
Benjamin Franklin
8.0
TV Mini Series
  • Ben Franklin
Gail Kasper in Philadelphia Visitors Channel (1991)
Philadelphia Visitors Channel
TV Series
  • Benjamin Franklin (2000-2010)
  • 1991

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actor



  • The Ride of Tom & Valkyrie (2011)
    The Ride of Tom & Valkyrie
    8.1
    • Ben Franklin
    • 2011
  • As the World Turns (1956)
    As the World Turns
    6.3
    TV Series
    • Irv Finsterwald - Ben Franklin Impersonator
    • Ben Franklin Impersonator
    • 2009
  • For All Mankind (2009)
    For All Mankind
    6.9
    Short
    • Ben Franklin
    • 2009
  • Ben Franklin: Stealing Lightning from the Sky
    TV Movie
    • Ben Franklin
    • 2006
  • Benjamin Franklin (2002)
    Benjamin Franklin
    8.0
    TV Mini Series
    • Ben Franklin
    • 2002
  • Gail Kasper in Philadelphia Visitors Channel (1991)
    Philadelphia Visitors Channel
    TV Series
    • Benjamin Franklin (2000-2010)
    • 1991

Personal details

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  • Official site
    • Official Site
  • Born
    • January 17, 1942
    • Dearborn, Michigan, USA
  • Died
    • March 25, 2017
    • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA(heart failure)
  • Spouse
    • Linda WildeJuly 3, 2008 - present
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Article

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Philadelphia's nationally recognized Ben Franklin reenactor, Ralph Archbold, met Linda Wilde, a frequent Betsy Ross reenactor, in 2006. The couple fell in love and decided to be wed, as Ross and Franklin, in a public ceremony for all of Philadelphia to see on July 3, 2008.
  • Nickname
    • Ben Franklin

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