Tony-Award Winning Actor Ron Silver Dies
Posted March 16, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Tony-Award winning actor Ron Silver has died.
The 62-year-old passed away from esophageal cancer in New York City Sunday.
Silver won the Tony for his role playing a producer in “Speed The Plow” by David Mamet and was nominated for an Emmy for his work on “The West Wing,” but is perhaps best known as an outspoken activist who branded himself a “9/11 Republican” in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 2001.
Before that, Silver had been a longtime Democrat. He said the switch in political affiliation cost him roles.
His commitment to political activism led him to co-found the nonpartisan Creative Coalition early in his career. It was an advocacy group for entertainers and Silver believed it was the duty of those blessed to work in Hollywood to be involved in politics.
Outside of politics, Silver appeared in “Ali” alongside Will Smith, “Reversal of Fortune” with Jeremy Irons, “Enemies: A Love Story,” “Silkwood” and “Semi-Tough.”
On the small screen, he acted in “Veronica’s Closet,” “Chicago Hope,” “Wiseguy,” and also appeared in episodes of “Law & Order” and “Crossing Jordan.”
Younger audiences might know him for his part as Fielding Barnes in “The Ten,” from Stella alum David Wain.
Silver was born in New York City on July 2, 1946. He leaves behind two children, Adam and Alexandra, with his former wife Lynne Miller.
Silver attends the Miramax Films 25th Anniversary Party at the Pacific Design Center on February 26, 2005 in West Hollywood, California. Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.
