Robert Ridgely got his start performing in Manhattan supper clubs and later in off-Broadway productions. He has gone on to play character and comedy roles on television and in feature films. Ridgely also worked on radio and in television commercials as a voiceover artist. In addition, he occasionally did voice work for cartoons. Film credits include Melvin and Howard (1980), Blazing Saddles (1974), The Ref (1994) and That Thing You Do (1996).