Grandpa Booth has been cast!!

I found it here (with a picture): [Only admins are allowed to see this link]

What does everyone think?

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Bones Gets A Grandpa
September 29, 2009 04:39 PM EST

“Goodnight, John Boy." "Goodnight, Mary Ellen." And Goodnight Seeley Booth?

After an exhaustive search (and months of me teasing this character in my column), Fox’s Bones has finally cast a grandfather (or ‘Pops’) for David Boreanaz’s Seeley Booth. Hank Booth, a former army EMT, will be played by a Walton… specifically Ralph Waite, who played patriarch John Walton on The Waltons from 1972-81. Ralph, now 81, was cast after James Garner (Maverick, Rockford Files), also 81, proved too ill to take on the role.

“This is an important role and when Ralph’s name came up we were thrilled,” says executive producer Stephen Nathan. “It’s remarkable to see someone at that age so vital.”

Sounds like Ralph will need to be spry, considering his character will insist on accompanying his grandson out into the field to investigate “The Foot in the Foreclosure” on the Nov. 19 episode. “This is a really good murder,” promises Nathan. “All that’s left is ash and one foot, and Hank can’t help but tag along.”

The episode kicks off with Hank, recovering from a bypass, leaving a nursing home after getting into physical altercations with his male nurses. “He walks out and comes to live with Booth, whom he raised,” says Nathan. “They’ll try to rekindle the life they had for so many years, but you can never quite reclaim the past.”

We will also learn the reasons behind Booth’s abusive father abandoning his son at age 11, which David hopes will lead an NYPD Blue vet out of retirement. “I want Dennis Franz to play my dad,” David tells me. “He'd be perfect for Booth's dad. I would love to make this happen."

Sorry, David. No chance. I called up the multiple Emmy winner, now a 64-year-old grandpa who divides his time between Ojai, California and Idaho with his beloved wife, Joanie. While he wouldn’t rule out a really juicy role, Dennis tells me he worked hard for many years to enjoy his current life of leisure and wouldn’t change a thing. Adds his agent, Judith Moss: “Dennis’ first role after NYPD Blue will not be an episodic television guest role.” Instead, she is trying to persuade him to come out of retirement for a feature film in 2010.

Nathan says Bones still plans to cast Booth’s father at a later date, adding, “You can’t introduce too many relatives at once."

Aww, well I'm sad James Garner is sick, but Ralph Waite is a good choice too. The blue eyes throw me off a little, though. I mean, Jared, Parker and Booth himself all have brown eyes, so it was kind of the Booth family thing. Either way, it makes me feel really excited to know this episode is closer to fruition.

MoonlightGardenias wrote:Aww, well I'm sad James Garner is sick, but Ralph Waite is a good choice too. The blue eyes throw me off a little, though. I mean, Jared, Parker and Booth himself all have brown eyes, so it was kind of the Booth family thing. Either way, it makes me feel really excited to know this episode is closer to fruition.

Blue eyes are a recessive gene. My father has blue eyes, my mother brown. All three of us kids have Brown or Hazel eyes. My sisters were blue at birth but they darkened to a hazel color.

I am really excited about this casting.. I was afraid it would be Alan Alda and I can't stand the guy.

Very true, about the recessive gene. It does make it possible however, if B&B ever got together, for them to have a blue-eyed child, since there are apparently blue eyes on both sides of the family. Which is what you need, according to my bio classes in school.

Well I'm not as happy as I'd be if it was James Garner, but he's better than Robert Wagner, so I guess it's all good. What I don't want to see is Dennis Franz as Booth's father - David is nuts if he thinks that's a winner. The next question is who should play Seeley's Dad? The abusive alchoholic? I'm thinking Martin Sheen.

RM

Oh, I brightened right up when I saw Ralph Waite at the top of the page. I think that's genius! I never wanted Robert Wagner. James Garner would have been good, but I believe this is better. He has a much better image of a old-time family man than Rockford would have portrayed - he was always kind of a playboy. And sorry if I think along typecasting lines, but I do.

For his father ... hmmm. Martin Sheen has always been a wonderful actor, even if I don't care for his politics. He was a staple as far as TV movie actors go when I was growing up. And you're right about Dennis Franz. Love him, but there's no way anyone would buy him as Booth's dad ... a drunk, sure, but not his dad.

He mentioned in his interview the other day how he used to pass himself off as Ted Danson's son to get into bars when he was younger. That could be interesting, but they'd have to die his hair again. I doubt they'll get anyone as high-profile as him though. I'll have to think on it a little b/c nothing's popping into my mind right now. Possibly sleeping on it would be a good idea right about now, seeings how I have to get up in a couple hours. Grrr.

I wouldn't have known who Ralph Waite was, but the picture--yeah, he'll make a decent Pops for Booth on appearance. I completely agree that Dennis Franz would not work as Booth's dad. Definitely food for thought, though. Who plays the old bastard?

dawnsfire wrote:I wouldn't have known who Ralph Waite was, but the picture--yeah, he'll make a decent Pops for Booth on appearance. I completely agree that Dennis Franz would not work as Booth's dad. Definitely food for thought, though. Who plays the old bastard?

You didn't recognize him, or you never heard of The Waltons? I'm gonna die if it's the latter!

The Waltons? :?: Are those the folks that own WalMart? *looks innocent*

RM

Yes, I know about the Waltons, but the only actor I could ID would be the guy who played John-Boy. Or him at that age, anyway.

I'm not quite that clueless when it comes to pop culture (almost, I admit freely). Let's just say that we didn't watch that much TV when I was a kid, and for about 3 years, our access was pretty limited anyway. So 90% of what I know about 70s TV comes from limited syndication.

I have The Waltons theme tune playing on loop in my head now.

I just cannot see Dennis Franz as Booth's Dad. He's smaller than DB, isn't he? I imagine the Dad as someone physically imposing at the very least. Like you say, I can buy him as a drunk, but not as Booth's Dad.

I've been wondering who he is when I read the name.....I knew I've heard about him recently......when I saw the picture I knew......it's the same guy, who played Gibbs' father in NCIS.....
I like him....nice voice.....

Just another proof that Gibbs and Booth are related! (Gibbs could be an "uncle Gibbs" then. [Only admins are allowed to see this image] )

THX1138 wrote:Well I'm not as happy as I'd be if it was James Garner, but he's better than Robert Wagner, so I guess it's all good. What I don't want to see is Dennis Franz as Booth's father - David is nuts if he thinks that's a winner. The next question is who should play Seeley's Dad? The abusive alcoholic? I'm thinking Martin Sheen.

RM

Yes! Excellent choice.

Hank Booth, a former army EMT, will be played by a Walton… specifically Ralph Waite, who played patriarch John Walton on The Waltons from 1972-81.

Good Choice! Should be an interesting episode.