Career
Though best known through his television appearances late in life, both in sitcoms and police procedurals, Ward also had an extensive film resume and a distinguished stage career, one of the highlights of the latter being his portrayal of Willy Loman in the 1972 production of Death of a Salesman, staged in Baltimore"s Center Stage (the first African American production of Arthur Miller"s signature opus, produced with the playwright"s blessing). Ward"s own favorite among his theatrical vehicles was Ceremonies in Dark Old Men. Ward worked as a New York City police detective for ten years before beginning his acting career.
An Actors Studio alumnus, Ward belatedly made his television debut in 1950 on the Perry Como Show, 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 ship port where he was working and she brought him home to surprise James for his birthday. James wished he could have 100 more years with his dad.
The other two episodes Henry appeared on were after James" death. On Sanford and Son, Ward played in the episode of "The Stung", this the episode that Fred asks a professional gambler (played by Ward) to teach Lamont and his friends a lesson.
This episode aired in 1975.
In the pilot film for the 1970s cop show, Starsky and Hutch, Ward played Captain Dobey, though in the series itself that role was played by Bernie Hamilton. Ward did however appear as a different character in one episode in the final series, shortly before his death of a heart attack.