Ron Simons

{{similar names|Ronald Simons (disambiguation)|Ron Simmons (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Ron Simons

| image = Publicity_Photo_of_Ron_Simons.jpg

| caption = Publicity photo of Ron Simons

| birth_date = {{birth date|1960|11|30}}

| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|6|12|1960|11|30}}

| death_place =

| education = Columbia University (BA, MBA)
University of Washington (MFA)

| occupation = Actor, producer

| yearsactive = 1996–2024

| awards = Tony Awards (2013)

}}

Ronald Keith Simons (November 30, 1960 – June 12, 2024) was an American actor and producer. He was a four-time Tony Award winner.{{cite web|url=https://www.backstage.com/interview/why-formal-acting-training-helps-when-youre-uninspired/|title=Why Formal Acting Training Helps When You're Uninspired|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://wamc.org/post/ron-simons-producer-mtcs-jitney|title=Ron Simons Producer of MTC's Jitney|first=Joe|last=Donahue|publisher=}}

Career

Simons had degrees in theater and computer science from Columbia University, and did not go to drama school until he was 39.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/leeseymour/2017/03/14/tony-winner-ron-simons-seeks-a-diversity-more-than-skin-deep/#77b6ebad2145|title=Tony Winner Ron Simons Seeks A Diversity More Than Skin Deep|first=Lee|last=Seymour|website=Forbes |publisher=}} He also received a degree from Columbia Business School.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=December 15, 2017|title=RON SIMONS CC'82, BUS'89|url=https://www.college.columbia.edu/alumni/content/ron-simons-cc82-bus89|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=Columbia College Alumni Association}} 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."{{cite web|url=https://ndigo.com/2017/06/05/16624/|title=Q&A With Ron Simons – Actor And Tony Award-Winning Producer|website=N'Digo|last=Armour|first=TJ|date=June 5, 2017|accessdate=October 26, 2018}} He finally quit corporate business to enter film business at the age of 41. 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.{{cite web|url=https://magazine.washington.edu/feature/actor-and-producer-ron-simons-01-followed-his-dream-to-second-career/|title=Actor and producer Ron Simons, '01, followed his dream to second career|website=Washington|last=Volk|first=David|accessdate=October 26, 2018}}

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.

In April 2022, he was named the commencement speaker for the University of Washington.{{Cite web |title=Tony Award-winning producer and actor Ron Simons to deliver 2022 Commencement address |url=https://www.washington.edu/news/2022/04/13/tony-award-winning-producer-and-actor-ron-simons-to-deliver-2022-commencement-address/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=UW News |language=en}} He was a 2018 recipient of Columbia College's John Jay Award.{{Cite web |date=2017-12-15 |title=Ron Simons CC'82, BUS'89 |url=https://www.college.columbia.edu/alumni/content/ron-simons-cc82-bus89 |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Columbia College Alumni Association |language=en}}

Death

Simons died on June 12, 2024, at the age of 63.{{cite web|first=Diep|last=Tran|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/four-time-tony-award-winning-producer-ron-simons-dies-at-age-63|title=Four-Time Tony Award-Winning Producer Ron Simons Dies at Age 63|work=Playbill|date=June 13, 2024}}