Ronald Keith Simons[1] (November 30, 1960 – June 12, 2024) was an American actor and producer. He was a four-time Tony Award winner.[2][3]
Simons had degrees in theater and computer science from Columbia University, and did not go to drama school until he was 39.[4] He also received a degree from Columbia Business School.[5] 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."[6] 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.[7]
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.[6]
In April 2022, he was named the commencement speaker for the University of Washington.[8] He was a 2018 recipient of Columbia College's John Jay Award.[9]
Simons died on June 12, 2024, at the age of 63.[1]
| 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 Marshal | 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 | Also producer |
| 2011 | Gun Hill Road | Office Manager | Also producer and executive producer |
| 2013 | Blue Caprice | Supermarket Manager | Also producer and executive producer |
| 2016 | Wolves | Edward | |
| 2016 | The Ticket | Pastor Jennings | |
| 2016 | King Cobra | Hardy | Also producer and executive 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 |
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