You might say Ted Manson's career took off with a bang.

For years, the actor built a name for himself in local theater; then HE gradually added TV appearances and small movie parts to his résumé.

Family photo (ENLARGE)

Ted Manson had roles in 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' and 'Elizabethtown.'

But it was the role of Colonel Murphy — a crazy old codger dressed in Confederate gray with a penchant for setting off explosions — that ignited his big screen presence.

"The whole movie thing really took off for him when 'Sweet Home Alabama' came out," said his daughter Valerie Manson of Decatur. "I guess because he was so convincingly nuts."

Theodore F. Manson, 81, of Doraville died of complications from lung cancer June 1 at St. Joseph's Hospital. The body was cremated. The memorial service is 2 p.m. June 14 at the Huntington Condominiums clubhouse at 3825 LaVista Road in Tucker. Wages & Sons, Stone Mountain is in charge of arrangements.

The Columbus, Ohio, native served in the Navy during World War II and started acting in the 1950s. But he put his stage dreams on hold as his career as a developer took off and he spent more time traveling.

In 1970, he moved with his family to Atlanta, and within a few years, he was performing and directing at the Neighborhood Playhouse, Theater in the Square, Theatrical Outfit, the Alliance Theatre and other venues.

He appeared in "North and South," "Matlock," "In The Heat of the Night" and other TV shows; then movie roles started trickling in.

Some of his parts were small in movies such as "Fried Green Tomatoes," "Runaway Jury" and "Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil."

But Mr. Manson — physically fit, ready to travel, and a quick study when it came to memorizing lines — was ready when casting directors came calling with bigger roles.

"As he got older, he proved to be very photogenic," his daughter said. "And he had reached a point where he could play a range of ages and dispositions, from the nice, supportive grandpa to the irascible, grumpy old man."

That's him as Will Farrell's father-in-law Chip in "Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby." That's him as Sad Joe in "Elizabethtown," starring Orlando Bloom.

And coming soon to theaters, that will be him as Mr. Daws in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which he filmed last year in New Orleans with Brad Pitt.

Mr. Manson wasn't star-struck when he worked with Reese Witherspoon, Clint Eastwood, John C. Riley and other celebrities, his daughter said. But when he met Halle Barry on a set, he could only stammer in her presence.

Mr. Manson loved to talk about politics, current events and books. He traveled to Mexico every year to work in poor areas and, since 2001, was a reader at Cary Reynolds Elementary School.

He enjoyed being recognized by movie fans, and everybody knew him at his favorite hangout, the Rusty Nail, where he drank Rob Roys and entertained the regulars.

"He could cut a rug like nobody's business, and he knew it too," said his friend Kathryn Firago of Decatur.

"He was 30 years older than me, and yet he and I could talk about everything, and we did," she said. "He knew all kinds of stories about old Hollywood and had a lot of life experience that he brought to his acting."

"The whole acting community here is sad about losing Ted because he touched so many people and had his finger in so many pies," Ms. Firago said. "He did TV, theater, commercials, film — he just did everything. He was willing to work no matter where and no matter how small the part. He was always game."

Survivors include another daughter, Stephanie Manson of Decatur; a son, Philip Manson of Conyers; and three grandchildren.