Ralph Ellis
Lacrosse, 1954
2005 Letterwinner of Distinction
2005 Letterwinner of Distinction
A two-member of the lacrosse team (1952-53), Ralph Ellis earned his degree in drama in 1954. During his collegiate career, Ellis was involved in numerous drama productions and was president of the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity.
Upon graduation, Ellis served in the Army where he taught Morse code. In the following years he moved to New York City to become an actor. After spending time working in off-Broadway shows and in several television shows, he became a writer, working for shows including “Dark Shadow” and “A Time for Us”. Ellis then became the head writer for “The Doctors”, “Search for Tomorrow”, “As the World Turns”, “Guiding Light” and “General Hospital”. During his 40-year writing career he was nominated for three Emmy Awards, and in 1996, he won an Emmy for “General Hospital.” Ellis also was a three-time recipient of the Writer Guild of America Award.
Ellis returned to Syracuse University in the Fall of 1983 to teach a graduate course in television writing. In February 2005, a play he wrote about Wilmeth Sidat-Singh (SU ’39) was staged at the Lubin House in New York City. Ellis, who graduated from Central High School in Syracuse, has given to many local charities in Ridgefield, Conn., including the library and the Special Olympics. He was a volunteer assistant lacrosse coach at Ridgefield High School and coached the fifth and sixth grade lacrosse teams in the Ridgefield Youth Lacrosse League.
Ellis is a Syracuse University Varsity Club member.
