Ralph Archbold

Ralph Archbold is the "official" 20-21st Century Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. Coincidentally, this talented actor shares a January 17 birthday with Benjamin Franklin! In the past 35 years, he has portrayed Ben Franklin more than 7000 times at political events as well as community events. He also delights in teaching both young and old. His knowledge of Benjamin Franklin's life is nearly endless and, when dressed as Benjamin Franklin, Ralph Archbold remains in character at all times. A new exhibit in historic downtown Philadelphia that lets people seemingly converse with the ghost of Ben Franklin was created by filming more than 100 hours of Ralph Archbold as Ben Franklin. The exhibit, called "Ben Franklin's Ghost," was developed by Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), after Pennsylvania's Governor Edward G. Rendell visited ETC and thought the project could help celebrate the founding father's 300th birthday.