Robert Ridgely; Versatile Actor Appeared in Films, Television

Robert Ridgely, 65, actor and comedian who appeared in several Mel Brooks films. Ridgely played Boris the Hangman in two Brooks’ films, “Blazing Saddles” and “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.” He also undertook more serious roles, notably as a game show host in “Melvin and Howard” and the homophobic lawyer Walter Kenton in “Philadelphia,” which starred Tom Hanks as a lawyer with AIDS. Ridgely’s other films included “Beverly Hills Cop II,” “The Ref,” “Fire Down Below” and “Multiplicity.” He had recently completed work on an upcoming film “Boogie Nights” starring Burt Reynolds. Born in Teaneck, N.J., Ridgely started out as a cabaret entertainer and won parts on Broadway, including “The Highest Tree,” starring Robert Redford. On television, Ridgely appeared in the series “Get Smart,” “Sea Hunt,” “Domestic Life” and “Coach.” His voice was heard on radio and television commercials and on Saturday morning cartoons such as “Tarzan” and “Scooby Doo.” On Saturday in Toluca Lake of cancer.