Richard Hale (November 16, 1892 – May 18, 1981) was a distinguished American actor and opera singer, known for his stern, imposing presence and his rich, resonant voice, which made him a go-to performer for portraying authority figures and historical characters.
A graduate of Columbia University and a successful baritone opera singer, Hale brought a powerful gravitas to his film roles. He is best remembered for his chilling and unforgettable performance as the mysterious and reclusive Nathan “Boo” Radley in the timeless classic To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
His other notable film roles include playing the Soothsayer in the Marlon Brando epic Julius Caesar (1953) and as Gasper in the movie Ben-Hur (1959) but was not credited for the part. He also worked in television, making a memorable comedic appearance as Uncle Gilbert, who is revealed to be the Gill-man, in a classic episode of The Munsters and in Star Trek as Goro in the third-season episode “The Paradise Syndrome”
