Richard Ward (March 15, 1915 – July 1, 1979) was an American actor on the stage, television, and in films, from 1949 until his death.

He worked as a New York City police detective for ten years before beginning his acting career.

[1] An Actors Studio alumnus,[6] Ward belatedly made his television debut in 1950 on the Perry Como Show,[2] 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.

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.

Ward did appear as a different character in one episode in the final series, shortly before his death due to a heart attack.