Actor Ron Silver Dies at 62 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-15-2009, 10:50 PM

Link

Actor and political activist, Ron Silver, died this morning at his home in New York. Ron was 62 and had been bravely battling esophageal cancer for the last two years. He leaves two children, Adam and Alexandra, his parents and his two brothers, as well as countless friends and admirers.

About ten days ago I wrote in this space about Ron’s great acting achievements. Of course, he first came to popularity acting with Valerie Harper and Julie Kavner in “Rhoda,” as their menschy neighbor, Gary. But very quickly he took off in movies, with such milestones as his performance in "Enemies: A Love Story", his wonderful portrayal of lawyer Alan Dershowitz in "Reversal of Fortune", and so many other films including "Garbo Talks", "Blue Steel", and "Ali". He was nominated twice for Emmy awards.

Ron was also an accomplished theater actor. His credits included the original Broadway cast of "HurlyBurly" (1984) with William Hurt, Judith Ivey, and Harvey Keitel. In 1986 he co-starred on Broadway with Marlo Thomas in the comedy "Social Security". And in 1988 he, Joe Mantegna and Madonna were the original cast of David Mamet’s “Speed the Plow.” Ron played Charlie Fox, the screenwriter with the idea who comes to Bobby Gould (Mantegna) for help. In all three plays, Ron secured his place as the “it” New York actor of his time, consummate, literate, dangerous and smart.

The smart was a good thing and a bad thing. In 1989, Ron helped found the Creative Coalition with Alec Baldwin, Ron Silver, Christopher Reeve, Susan Sarandon, Blair Brown and Stephen Collins. It only takes a second to realize this was a group of liberal minded actors, and Ron was part of them. But soon his politics turned conservative. In short order Ron started endorsing candidates like New York Republicans Rudolph Giuiliani and Alfonse D’Amato. This caused no end of headaches, discussions, debates, and fights. But it also made for a lively time.

I didn’t always agree with Ron politically, but it didn’t matter. He was a great friend, a great family man. He loved his kids. Whether we ran into each other at events or planned on seeing each other, we always had a great time talking Hollywood or chewing over Washington. Last August, Ron insisted on covering the Democratic convention in Denver for Sirius Radio. He was very weak, but he did it with gusto, running around the city getting interviews for his show. He could not be stopped, even though his daughter, Alex, and I, as well as his Sirius assistant, could see the strain.

Last week when I checked in with him, Ron’s voice sounded like a distant signal over a radio. Still, he was bouncy and ebullient. We talked about a lot of things including his radio show on Sirius, which was he was still doing once a week. He had an idea. “Why don’t we a whole show with gossip columnists?” he asked. I said, we’ll think about it. But he couldn’t stop thinking. He had a million ideas for shows, and I think would have had dozens more great performances in him as an actor. I’m not the only friend who will say this in coming days, but he will truly, always, be sorely missed and greatly remembered.

catlover79 · 03-15-2009, 10:52 PM

Awww...I remember him.

Jude The Obscure · 03-15-2009, 11:05 PM

I remember him first from some short-lived CBS sitcom.....went looked it up....Baker's Dozen

MickeyMac · 03-15-2009, 11:52 PM

I remember seeing him a lot in various 80's movies, and I admired him because he shared a lot of the conservative political views I share.

R.I.P.

Lee · 03-15-2009, 11:57 PM

Rest in peace

catlover79 · 03-16-2009, 12:00 AM

Ron Silver

browneyes106 · 03-16-2009, 12:07 AM

I remember him from tv and tv movies. He was a fine actor in many of his roles. RIP Ron

TripperFan · 03-16-2009, 01:28 AM

I remember him as Gary on Rhoda. Sad. Rest in Peace.

70s show watcher · 03-16-2009, 02:14 AM

he was one of my fave actors i esp liked his work in the movies best friends and an underrated film called married to it r i p ron

HuntingtonM15 · 03-16-2009, 03:11 AM

I remember him from Veronica's Closet. Very sad, he was way too young. RIP Ron.

spreckenzeedeu · 03-16-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

I remember him from Veronica's Closet.

Me too. And I liked Alec Bilson. Somehow.

dawsongirl · 03-16-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

I remember him as Gary on Rhoda. Sad. Rest in Peace.

Me too.

Mr. Television · 03-16-2009, 11:28 PM

R.I.P.

Robert 13 · 03-17-2009, 10:53 AM

Wow! I didn't expect that. I had recently been watching him as Brad Gabriel on "The Stockard Channing Show". So sad that he leaves 2 children and a wife. Hopefully, they will all find some peace.

Scoobiedoo30 · 03-17-2009, 01:35 PM

Rest in Peace Ron you will be very Missed.

03-15-2009, 10:50 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,429	Actor Ron Silver Dies at 62 Link Actor and political activist, Ron Silver, died this morning at his home in New York. Ron was 62 and had been bravely battling esophageal cancer for the last two years. He leaves two children, Adam and Alexandra, his parents and his two brothers, as well as countless friends and admirers. About ten days ago I wrote in this space about Ron’s great acting achievements. Of course, he first came to popularity acting with Valerie Harper and Julie Kavner in “Rhoda,” as their menschy neighbor, Gary. But very quickly he took off in movies, with such milestones as his performance in "Enemies: A Love Story", his wonderful portrayal of lawyer Alan Dershowitz in "Reversal of Fortune", and so many other films including "Garbo Talks", "Blue Steel", and "Ali". He was nominated twice for Emmy awards. Ron was also an accomplished theater actor. His credits included the original Broadway cast of "HurlyBurly" (1984) with William Hurt, Judith Ivey, and Harvey Keitel. In 1986 he co-starred on Broadway with Marlo Thomas in the comedy "Social Security". And in 1988 he, Joe Mantegna and Madonna were the original cast of David Mamet’s “Speed the Plow.” Ron played Charlie Fox, the screenwriter with the idea who comes to Bobby Gould (Mantegna) for help. In all three plays, Ron secured his place as the “it” New York actor of his time, consummate, literate, dangerous and smart. The smart was a good thing and a bad thing. In 1989, Ron helped found the Creative Coalition with Alec Baldwin, Ron Silver, Christopher Reeve, Susan Sarandon, Blair Brown and Stephen Collins. It only takes a second to realize this was a group of liberal minded actors, and Ron was part of them. But soon his politics turned conservative. In short order Ron started endorsing candidates like New York Republicans Rudolph Giuiliani and Alfonse D’Amato. This caused no end of headaches, discussions, debates, and fights. But it also made for a lively time. I didn’t always agree with Ron politically, but it didn’t matter. He was a great friend, a great family man. He loved his kids. Whether we ran into each other at events or planned on seeing each other, we always had a great time talking Hollywood or chewing over Washington. Last August, Ron insisted on covering the Democratic convention in Denver for Sirius Radio. He was very weak, but he did it with gusto, running around the city getting interviews for his show. He could not be stopped, even though his daughter, Alex, and I, as well as his Sirius assistant, could see the strain. Last week when I checked in with him, Ron’s voice sounded like a distant signal over a radio. Still, he was bouncy and ebullient. We talked about a lot of things including his radio show on Sirius, which was he was still doing once a week. He had an idea. “Why don’t we a whole show with gossip columnists?” he asked. I said, we’ll think about it. But he couldn’t stop thinking. He had a million ideas for shows, and I think would have had dozens more great performances in him as an actor. I’m not the only friend who will say this in coming days, but he will truly, always, be sorely missed and greatly remembered.

03-15-2009, 10:52 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Awww...I remember him.
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03-16-2009, 12:00 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Ron Silver Attached Images

03-16-2009, 01:28 AM	#8
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	I remember him as Gary on Rhoda. Sad. Rest in Peace.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

03-16-2009, 11:28 PM	#13
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	R.I.P.
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03-15-2009, 11:05 PM	#3
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	I remember him first from some short-lived CBS sitcom.....went looked it up....Baker's Dozen

03-15-2009, 11:52 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I remember seeing him a lot in various 80's movies, and I admired him because he shared a lot of the conservative political views I share. R.I.P.

03-15-2009, 11:57 PM	#5
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,768	Rest in peace

03-16-2009, 12:07 AM	#7
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I remember him from tv and tv movies. He was a fine actor in many of his roles. RIP Ron

03-16-2009, 02:14 AM	#9
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	he was one of my fave actors i esp liked his work in the movies best friends and an underrated film called married to it r i p ron

03-16-2009, 03:11 AM	#10
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	I remember him from Veronica's Closet. Very sad, he was way too young. RIP Ron.

03-17-2009, 10:53 AM	#14
Robert 13 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,521	Wow! I didn't expect that. I had recently been watching him as Brad Gabriel on "The Stockard Channing Show". So sad that he leaves 2 children and a wife. Hopefully, they will all find some peace.
	__________________ Com'è straordinaria la vita, che un giorno ti senti come in un sogno e poi ti ritrovi all'inferno - Dolcenera

03-17-2009, 01:35 PM	#15
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Rest in Peace Ron you will be very Missed.
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