Fred R. Volkmar (born February 15, 1934) is an American actor and voice actor best known for his roles in various television shows and films. He is most widely known for his roles in the television series The Waltons, in which he starred as the family's patriarch, John-Boy Walton, and in the animated series Transformers: Rescue Bots, in which he voiced the character of Chief Charlie Burns.
Volkmar was born in New York City and began his career as an actor in the 1960s. His first notable role was on the CBS soap opera The Secret Storm, playing the role of Dr. Clay Kirkland, a role he held from 1967 to 1971. After this, he appeared in a number of television series, including S.W.A.T., The Rockford Files, Police Story, and Fantasy Island.
In 1972, Volkmar landed the role that would become his most famous: John-Boy Walton in The Waltons. The show ran for nine seasons and was critically acclaimed. During this time, Volkmar also appeared in a number of films, including The Steel Lady, The People That Time Forgot, and George Wallace.
After The Waltons ended in 1981, Volkmar continued to act in television series and films. He had recurring roles in the television series Dynasty and Murder, She Wrote, and had guest appearances in a number of other shows, including Murder One, The Practice, and Abby.
In the 1990s, Volkmar began to pursue a career in voice acting. He had roles in several animated television series, including The Real Ghostbusters and Transformers: Rescue Bots. He also provided voices for various video games, including Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
Volkmar continues to act and voice act to this day, appearing in a number of films and television shows each year. He is currently the voice of Chief Charlie Burns in Transformers: Rescue Bots and is set to appear in the upcoming film, Death in the Desert.
Throughout his career, Volkmar has been highly respected by his peers and is considered one of the finest actors of his generation. He has won several awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award in 1974 for his performance in The Waltons. He is a true legend of television, and his legacy will continue to live on through his many memorable roles.
