Photo: Film screenshot (Paramount Pictures) / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Ray Teal is one of those wonderfully unexpected careers I love to dig into. Born in Grand Rapids in 1902, he started as a saxophonist, bandleader, and conductor before reinventing himself as an actor, and he even studied at UCLA. With over 300 film and television credits and his signature turn as Sheriff Roy Coffee on Bonanza, he practically became the face of the screen lawman, playing dozens of sheriffs over his long run. I value character actors like him who never chase the spotlight yet make every world they appear in feel real. His weathered, trustworthy face still endures in the Westerns he helped bring to life.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Ray Teal
- Name (Japanese)
- レイ・ティール
- Reading
- れい・てぃーる
- Born
- January 12, 1902 – April 2, 1976
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Capricorn / Tiger
- Origin
- Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- bandleader / conductor / actor / saxophonist / television actor
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- University of California, Los Angeles
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray%20Teal
Frequently asked questions
When was Ray Teal born?
January 12, 1902 – April 2, 1976.
Where is Ray Teal from?
Ray Teal is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States.
What does Ray Teal do?
Ray Teal works as bandleader, conductor, actor, saxophonist, television actor.
Bandleader — see all → · Conductor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.