Ralph Archbold (January 17, 1942 – March 25, 2017) was an American actor and impersonator. He was a Philadelphia -area speaker who was best known for his impersonation of U.S. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin . He began his Franklin impersonation career in 1973. ^[1]

Archbold has appeared as Franklin for every President of the United States at the White House from Gerald Ford through Barack Obama . ^[1] He was appointed by George W. Bush to a 15-member commission to oversee the celebration of Franklin's 300th birthday. ^[2]

Archbold was born in Dearborn, Michigan . In 2008, he married Linda Wilde who was a known Betsy Ross impersonator in Philadelphia. ^[3] Archbold died on March 25, 2017 in Philadelphia from complications of congestive heart failure , aged 75. ^[4]

References [ change | change source ]

Other websites [ change | change source ]

• Archbold at the White House 300th Benjamin Franklin Birthday Celebration

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