Ron Simons
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Ron Simons | |
|---|---|
| Education | Columbia University (BA, MBA) University of Washington, Seattle (MFA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Producer |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Awards | Tony Awards (2013) |
Ron Simons is an American actor and producer, and a four-time Tony Award winner.[1][2]
Career[edit]
Simons has degrees in theater and computer science from Columbia University, and didn't go to drama school until he was 39.[3] He also received a degree from Columbia Business School.[4] 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."[5] He finally quit corporate business to enter film business at the age of 47. 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.[6]
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.[5]
In April 2022, he was named the commencement speaker for the University of Washington.[7] He is a 2018 recipient of Columbia College's John Jay Award.[8]
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 Marshall | 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 | |
| 2011 | Gun Hill Road | Office Manager | |
| 2013 | Blue Caprice | Supermarket Manager | |
| 2016 | Wolves | Edward | |
| 2016 | The Ticket | Pastor Jennings | |
| 2016 | King Cobra | Hardy, 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 |
Selected filmography (as producer)[edit]
- Night Catches Us (2010)
- Gun Hill Road (2011)
- Blue Caprice (2013)
References[edit]
- ^ "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. 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 2022-04-17.
- ^ "Ron Simons CC'82, BUS'89". Columbia College Alumni Association. 2017-12-15. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
External links[edit]
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