Ron Simons
Ron Simons | |
|---|---|
 Publicity photo of Ron Simons | |
| Born | November 30, 1960 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | June 12, 2024 (aged 63) |
| Education | Columbia University (BA, MBA) University of Washington (MFA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, producer |
| Years active | 1996–2024 |
| Awards | Tony Awards (2013) |
Ronald Keith Simons[1] (November 30, 1960 – June 12, 2024) was an American actor and producer. He was a four-time Tony Award winner.[2][3]
Career
[edit]Simons had degrees in theater and computer science from Columbia University, and did not go to drama school until he was 39.[4] He also received a degree from Columbia Business School.[5] He had wanted to go into acting since high school, but was unable to due to his living circumstances. "[A]s the only member of my family to have graduated college with retired grandparents and a mom who had me at a slightly older age, I felt the need to become the family breadwinner."[6] He finally quit corporate business to enter film business at the age of 41. He further expanded into producing despite not being fully aware of what that position entailed. He would end up producing films such as Gun Hill Road and Blue Caprice, but continue to act in projects along the way.[7]
In 2009 he founded SimonSays Entertainment; a production company that works to create film, television and stage productions that revolve around various minority focused subjects from race, LGBT, disabled, women and elder people.[6]
In April 2022, he was named the commencement speaker for the University of Washington.[8] He was a 2018 recipient of Columbia College's John Jay Award.[9]
Death
[edit]Simons died on June 12, 2024, at the age of 63.[1]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Nowhere Man | Attendant | Episode: "Forever Jung" |
| 2005 | Jonny Zero | Reporter | Episode: "I Did It All for the Nooky" |
| 2005 | Law & Order | Fire Marshal | Episode: "Dining Out" |
| 2007 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Sgt. Rapp | Episode: "Brother's Keeper" |
| 2007 | Detective Willis | Episode: "Self-made" | |
| 2009 | Law & Order | Warden Derek Kleban | Episode: "Boy Gone Astray" |
| 2015 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Principal Al Pompeo | Episode: "Transgender Bridge" |
| 2017 | Marvel's The Defenders | Strieber | Miniseries; Recurring |
| 2018 | Succession | Photographer #1 | Episode: "Celebration" |
| 2018 | Marvel's Daredevil | Strieber | Episode: "Reunion" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Assassin | Task Force Det. | |
| 2008 | 27 Dresses | Boathouse Chef | |
| 2008 | Phoebe in Wonderland | Colleague #1 | |
| 2009 | Mystery Team | Mr. Rogers | |
| 2010 | Night Catches Us | Carey Ford | Also producer |
| 2011 | Gun Hill Road | Office Manager | Also producer and executive producer |
| 2013 | Blue Caprice | Supermarket Manager | Also producer and executive producer |
| 2016 | Wolves | Edward | |
| 2016 | The Ticket | Pastor Jennings | |
| 2016 | King Cobra | Hardy | Also producer and executive producer |
| 2016 | Ordinary World | Drew | |
| 2017 | Ambition's Debt | Popilius Lena | |
| 2018 | Then Came You | Dr. Collins | |
| 2019 | After the Wedding | Richard |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Police Quest: SWAT 2 | Chief |
| 2005 | The Warriors | Dealer |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Tran, Diep (June 13, 2024). "Four-Time Tony Award-Winning Producer Ron Simons Dies at Age 63". Playbill.
- ^ "Why Formal Acting Training Helps When You're Uninspired".
- ^ Donahue, Joe. "Ron Simons Producer of MTC's Jitney".
- ^ Seymour, Lee. "Tony Winner Ron Simons Seeks A Diversity More Than Skin Deep". Forbes.
- ^ "RON SIMONS CC'82, BUS'89". Columbia College Alumni Association. December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- ^ a b Armour, TJ (June 5, 2017). "Q&A With Ron Simons – Actor And Tony Award-Winning Producer". N'Digo. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ Volk, David. "Actor and producer Ron Simons, '01, followed his dream to second career". Washington. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ "Tony Award-winning producer and actor Ron Simons to deliver 2022 Commencement address". UW News. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
- ^ "Ron Simons CC'82, BUS'89". Columbia College Alumni Association. December 15, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
External links
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- 1960 births
- 2024 deaths
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American businesspeople
- 21st-century American male actors
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American theatre managers and producers
- Broadway theatre producers
- Columbia College (New York) alumni
- Columbia Business School alumni
- Tony Award winners
- University of Washington alumni
- Male actors from Detroit
- American actor stubs