Ron Dean (1938-2025)
|
Actor Ron Dean passed away on October 5 at the age of 87. He built a prolific career portraying cops, detectives and blue-collar Chicagoans. With his distinctive Chicago accent and unvarnished demeanor, he uniquely embodied the city on stage and screen. Ron’s many Chicago stage roles included LAKESIDE and THE ICEMAN COMETH (The Goodman); TAVERN STORY and SUPPLE IN COMMAND (Steppenwolf — Jeff nomination); and ELVIS STORIES and BLEACHER BUMS (Organic Theatre).
In film, Ron appeared in THE FUGITIVE, RISKY BUSINESS, THE BREAKFAST CLUB, THE COLOR OF MONEY, COCKTAIL, RUDY, THE DARK KNIGHT, THE BABE, CODE OF SILENCE, ABOVE THE LAW, THE PACKAGE, CHAIN REACTION, THE GUARDIAN and many more. His plethora of television roles include CRIME STORY, LADY BLUE, FRAZIER, ANGEL STREET, LIFE’S WORK, NYPD BLUE, EARLY EDITION, ER, CHICAGO HOPE, THE WEST WING and CHICAGO FIRE. Born in Chicago on August 15, 1938, Ronald Charles ”Ron” Dean grew up tough and troubled on the North Side, with his early years being peppered with petty crimes and bouts in reform school. In 1955, he escaped from the lock-up in a North Side police station, discovered a pistol in a desk drawer and, when confronted by Chicago police officer Albert Brown, shot him dead. When police asked him why, Ron responded, “I don’t know. He came at me, and I shot him.” He pleaded guilty and served 12 years in prison. Afterwards, Ron returned to Chicago and spent time working a variety of jobs (bellhop, bartender, waiter) as he explored acting and studied at The Second City (taking classes with Del Close). As one of his survival jobs, Ron became one of the city’s first pedicab drivers, working the Rush Street and Wrigleyville areas for most of the 1970’s. Eventually, he landed small stage roles and then got more work in film and TV. Per his long-time partner, Maggie Neff — “He didn’t turn his life around immediately, it was a process, but theater definitely saved his life. He didn’t really have anything else going for him. Theater saved his life.” Director Andy Davis noted — “Ron was one of a kind. His power was not in using lots of words, but in his attitude, his knowledge of mankind from the street to the power brokers. Having been in trouble as a kid, it made him tough and wise, and he turned that into a passion for telling stories. He was loved by cast and crew alike.” With thanks to The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Reel Chicago. |