Ted Manson

MANSON Ted Manson, 81, an Atlanta-area actor who appeared in such movies as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby," passed Sunday of respiratory failure due to complications from lung cancer. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, October 23, 1926. He graduated as the Salutatorian at West High School in Columbus, and he attended John Carroll University and The Ohio State University. Before attending college, he served in the Navy during World War II, lying about his age so he could enlist at 17. Mr. Manson began his stage career with The Players Club and the Ohio State University Players in the 1950s. His acting career was put on hold for several years as he concentrated on his real estate development business with Jim Klingbeil and, later, Jim Trueman, founder of Red Roof Inns. With Klingbeil and Trueman, he built apartment and condominium developments from coast to coast. He and his family moved to Atlanta in 1970, and it was there in 1979 that he returned to the stage, working first with the Neighborhood Playhouse. He also appeared onstage in Atlanta with Marietta's Theater in the Square, Theatrical Outfit and the Alliance Theater. His film career began with small parts on television's "Matlock" with Andy Griffith, and "In the Heat of the Night," which was filmed in Covington, Ga. He had small parts in such movies as "Fried Green Tomatoes", "Runaway Jury", and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", where he worked with Clint Eastwood. He got his first big part playing Henry Royce, the billionaire grandfather in "Gordy", in 1995. But it was his performance as Colonel Murphy, the cannon-firing Confederate officer in the 2002 box-office hit, "Sweet Home Alabama", that opened a lot of eyes, and doors, in Hollywood. Other acting credits since 2002 include "Elizabethtown" with Orlando Bloom, "Foxworthy's Big Night Out" with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy and as "Chip", Will Ferrell's father-in-law in "Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby." He will also appear in the upcoming Brad Pitt movie, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," tentatively scheduled for release November 2008. In 2007, Mr. Manson was inducted into the West High School Hall of Fame for significant contributions to the arts by an alumnus. Mr. Manson was preceded in death by his mother Margaret Bowman, step-father Fred K. Bowman, and brother Donald C. Manson. He is survived by his former spouse, Carol Noel Manson; daughters, Valerie and Stephanie Manson, all of Decatur, Ga.; and a son, Philip of Conyers, Ga. He has three grandchildren, William Philip, F. Jonathan and Sierra Manson. He also is survived by his niece, Kimberly Gillivan; nephew, Donald C. Manson of Columbus; and his cousin, Peggy Leddy, Grove City, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to: FAI Sonora, attn: Jorge Valenzuela, director, Save the Children, 931 Brave River Pl., Tucson, AZ 85704. Arrangements by CREMATION SOCIETY OF GEORGIA, 404/355-7627. Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries