Philadelphia Ben Franklin reenactor Ralph Archbold, 75, dies
Posted April 04, 2017 7:00 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A popular reenactor who portrayed Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia for more than 40 years and married a woman who portrays Betsy Ross has died.
The Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli (pay-OH'-lee) confirms that Ralph Archbold died on March 25. He had turned 75 on January 17th, a birthday he shared with Franklin.
Archbold was a frequent fixture in the city's historic area and took his homage to Franklin to events around the world.
He and Linda Wilde married in costume at Independence Hall on July 3, 2008.
A family statement lists two sons, two daughters and a stepdaughter among his other survivors.
A funeral home spokesman says the services held for Archbold were private.
FILE â In this July 3, 2002, file photo, re-enactor Ralph Archbold, portraying Benjamin Franklin, waits to board the world's largest U.S. flag-shaped hot air balloon, during an event marking the one-year countdown to the opening of the National Constitution Center under construction on Independence Mall in Philadelphia. Archbold, who portrayed Franklin in Philadelphia for more than 40 years, died Saturday, March 25, 2017, at age 75, according to the Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli, Pa. (AP Photo/Brad C Bower, File)
The Associated Press
FILE â In this July 3, 2008, file photo, historical re-enactors Ralph Archbold, right, who portrays Benjamin Franklin, and Linda Wilde, left, who portrays Betsy Ross, smile to the crowd after exchanging wedding vows while dressed in Colonial-era formalwear, during their real-life wedding ceremony in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Archbold, who portrayed Franklin in Philadelphia for more than 40 years, died Saturday, March 25, 2017, at age 75, according to the Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli, Pa. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek, File)
The Associated Press
FILE â In this April 17, 2008, file photo, television host Stephen Colbert, right, of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" points at re-enactor Ralph Archbold, left, portraying Benjamin Franklin, after the recording of the program at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Archbold, who portrayed Franklin in Philadelphia for more than 40 years, died Saturday, March 25, 2017, at age 75, according to the Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
The Associated Press
FILE â In this Feb. 2, 2005, file photo, re-enactor Ralph Archbold, portraying Benjamin Franklin, wears a Philadelphia Eagles cap during an event to promote the Super Bowl matchup between the Eagles and the New England Patriots, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Archbold, who portrayed Franklin in Philadelphia for more than 40 years, died Saturday, March 25, 2017, at age 75, according to the Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli, Pa. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma, File)
The Associated Press
FILE â In this Jan. 17, 2008, file photo, re-enactor Ralph Archbold, portraying Benjamin Franklin, cheers during a ceremony to mark the 302nd anniversary of Franklin's birth on Jan. 17, 1706, at Franklin's grave at Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia. Archbold, who portrayed Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia for more than 40 years, died Saturday, March 25, 2017, at age 75, according to the Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
The Associated Press
FILE â In this Jan. 17, 2006, file photo, re-enactor Ralph Archbold, portraying Benjamin Franklin, applauds during a party to mark the 300th anniversary of Franklin's birth on Jan. 17, 1706, in Philadelphia. Archbold, who portrayed Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia for more than 40 years, died Saturday, March 25, 2017, at age 75, according to the Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli, Pa. (AP Photo/Joseph Kaczmarek, File)
The Associated Press
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