Ron Simons, actor turned Tony-winning producer for stage and film, dies at 63

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I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ron Simons, a remarkable figure in both Broadway and film productions. His untimely death at the age of 63 has left a significant void in the entertainment industry, particularly within the Black community.

I’m sad to share that Ron Simons, an actor-turned-producer with a remarkable portfolio of achievements in both Broadway and the Sundance Film Festival, passed away at the age of 63.

On Thursday, SimonSays Entertainment, located in New York City, shared the sad news of the unexpected death of their cherished CEO, Ronald Keith Simons, through a social media post made on Wednesday. The heartfelt message expressed their deep sorrow and described him as a dearly loved, blessed, and favored friend.

The message mentioned that a funeral was being arranged but didn’t provide further details about how Simon passed away, such as the cause or those left behind. A spokesperson for SimonSays declined to comment when contacted by The Times over the weekend.

“In the heart of Black Broadway, a monumental tree has toppled over. This news was shared by Tony-nominated producer Lamar Richardson on Twitter. Ron’s footsteps paved the way for many of us to thrive in this industry.”

In simpler terms, playwright Lisa B. Thompson, known for her works “The Mamalogues” and “Single Black Female,” expressed sadness over the passing of Simons on X (previously Twitter), describing him as one of the brightest lights we’ve lost. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan also paid homage to Simons, who was bestowed with a key to the city in 2022 and celebrated as a legendary Detroiter.

I support Simons, who was born in Detroit on November 39th, 1960. After spending over a decade working for tech giants HP and Microsoft, he decided to chase his dreams of entertainment in his late thirties. In his own words for Forbes in 2017, “At the tender age of 39,” he took the bold step to enroll in drama school at the University of Washington. This decision set him on a successful path to producing, leading to five Tony Award nominations and four wins.

During a TED Talk in 2018, he shared that he had grown tired of the roles he was auditioning for and the projects that were getting approved. He then understood that he could make a greater difference in the world by doing more than just acting – producing and creating work instead.

In 2012, Simons collaborated on a revival of “Porgy and Bess” featuring Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis, which brought him his first Tony Award. After that, between 2013 and 2017, he produced shows that earned Tony accolades: “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” in 2013, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” in 2014, and a revival of August Wilson’s “Jitney”.

Simons extended his producing skills from stage to screen with SimonSays, which prides itself on spotlighting stories of underrepresented communities. SimonSays produced the 2011 Sundance Film Festival selection “Gun Hill Road,” which centers on a recent parolee struggling with his son’s transgender life. Simons also produced “Viva Verdi!,” a documentary that follows elderly musicians as they continue performing and mentor up-and-coming talent.

In his 2018 TED talk, he expressed a desire to share narratives that foster connection, dialogue, and action among the audience.

Forest Whitaker’s film production resume features “Night Catches Us,” “Blue Caprice,” and “Mother of George,” as well as plays such as “Hughie,” “The Gin Game,” and the Broadway adaptation of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” with him. Notable Black actors in his productions include Danai Gurira, Leslie Uggams, and Cecily Tyson, according to his website.

Simons obtained his undergraduate education at Columbia College, pursued a Master’s in Business Administration from Columbia Business School, and completed a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Washington.

He additionally acted in local theaters like Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and had small parts in various television shows and movies such as “27 Dresses,” “Law & Order,” “The Resident,” and “Succession.”

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2024-07-18 18:58