Ronald Arthur Silver
(1946 - 2009)

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Profile:
Ronald Arthur Silver

Birth:
July 2, 1946

Passing:
March 15, 2009


Memorial
Ron Silver was born in New York City, New York, the son of May, a substitute teacher, and Irving Roy Silver, a clothing sales executive. Ron was raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and attended The East Side Hebrew Institute and then Stuyvesant High School. He went on to graduate from SUNY at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Chinese, and received a Master's Degree in Chinese History from St. John's University in New York and the College of Chinese Culture in Taiwan. He also attended Columbia University's Graduate School of International Affairs and studied acting at the Herbert Berghof Studio.
Ron traveled to more than 30 countries and spoke fluent Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. He taught at the high school level and was a social worker for the Department of Social Services.
He was a co-founder in 1989 of the entertainment industry political advocacy organization the Creative Coalition. He was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2000, he co-founded the organization One Jerusalem to oppose the Oslo Peace Agreement.
On October 7, 2005, Silver was nominated by President Bush to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace.
On September 8, 2006, it was announced that Silver had joined an advisory committee to the Lewis Libby Legal Defense Trust.
Ron died on March 15, 2009, in New York City after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer. He is survived by both parents, brothers Mitchell and Keith, son Adam, and daughter Alexandra.

Guest Book Wall (What is this?)
iLasting Staff
March 16th, 2009
"This is the memorial I set up for Ronald Silver. To add your own comment, click on the "Add Comment" button below. "

George Zavieh
(fan)
March 16th, 2009
"Rest in peace Ron."

Barry Nelson
(fan)
March 16th, 2009
"Ron was a class act. Loved following his career and watching him in his performances. May his soul rest in peace. Sympathies out to the families."

Delia Zee
(Admirer)
March 16th, 2009
"Rest in peace, handsome. My prayers will be with your family and friends. You were far too young to leave this world but maybe you can be a guardian angel for the rest of us you had to leave behind."

Patrick Curtis
(Worked with Ron)
March 16th, 2009
"I had the pleasure of working with Ron in 1996. As a young actor he was very encouraging and giving and the first to give me a hug and wish me the best when i finished the film. I did not see him again until 2003, when he did his spectacular one man show, "David Graham" in Los Angeles. I went the day before to pick up my tickets in the afternoon and outside the theatre was Ron. As i started to reintroduce myself, he said, "of course i know you" and gave me a big hug and asked how i was doing. What a GREAT guy, a GREAT actor and GREAT american. I love you Ron and i will never forget your kindness to me. God bless you good sir."

Tippy Thornton
(fan)
March 16th, 2009
"RIP Ron Silver I have been following your career since Rhoda.You were a very talented actor. You will truly be missed!"

Priscilla Brito
(fan)
March 16th, 2009
"Rest in peace..strength and the best to family."

George Rhodes
(Admirer)
March 16th, 2009
"What a man! Thanks for doing and saying the right thing. I will always admire your bravado. Family, all the best to you and know that He was a good man that made a difference. All the best and prayers in the days ahead. God's richest blessings."

John Sanchez
(Fan)
March 16th, 2009
"Even in the silly parts, he seemed to have a built-in air of gravitas.

Resquiat in Pace."

Kay and Lee Puma
(Old Friends)
March 16th, 2009
"My husband and I went to school with Ron at UB. We were in shows at Baird Hall and had wonderful times together. It was great to watch his career develop, but even more wonderful was to watch him develop as a person--dedicated to so many causes. We will always remember his great sense of humor and love of life. Peace to his family. He will be greatly missed."

john kennedy
(none)
March 16th, 2009
"A graceful role model. Thank you Ron"

nicholas vitanza
(friend)
March 16th, 2009
"Ron Siver came into my life through his cousin Leah Eisenstat. She was very proud of 'Ronny' and always told stories about him. He once mentioned her on David Letterman and she lit up with pride and happiness. Ron meant a lot to her and thus to me. He is now resting in peace after a long suffering and will be remembered be people who did not know him as well as others but knew of the great person he was."

teresa thom
(fan)
March 17th, 2009
"He is a real actor, one of only a few. I'm afraid we took him for granted. But thank goodness he left us many wonderful performances. "

Cris Angelini
(Fan)
March 17th, 2009
"

Ron was a brilliant actor, a true Patriot and wonderful human being. He was a man of wisdom, who sought the truth. He will be truly missed.


"

Jesse Barton
(Licensed Massage Therapis)
March 17th, 2009
"I had the great honor of meeting and working with Ron and many of his family many years ago at the Concord Resort Hotel where I worked as a Massage Therapist. I was really impressed with what a close knit family they were and with their obvious love for one another and their sense of humor. A wonderful group of people. Condolences to the Silvers and their friends at this time of mourning for Ron Silver who was a wonderful actor and great american. Rest in Peace Ron. Bart."

Mally Rose
(fan)
March 17th, 2009
"Ron Silver was one of my favorite actors. He inspired me like very few celebrities ever have. He passed away much too young. He will be really missed.

My deepest sympathies go to his family and loved ones."

Jeffrey Klein
(admirer)
March 17th, 2009
"For a compassionate, courageous, intelligent human being. May G-d bless his soul."

Janice Lyons
(admirer)
March 17th, 2009
"A good man who was not afraid to speak truth in difficult times. A good actor. Condolances to his family. He will be missed. "

Linda Wiens Cheever
(close friend from 1968-69)
March 17th, 2009
"I met "Ronnie" in Taiwan in 1968 during the first week we both arrived as new teachers of English at a Chinese college. One hour after we met we both stepped off a bus in Taipei in a typhoon and fell into the sewers which were flooded - Ron had me absolutely doubled over in laugher and thus began a year of close friendship. His great curiosity and intellect at 22 years of age exposed me to new literature/film/politics and I have been thrilled and proud to watch his career develop over these many years of incredible accomplishments on so many fronts. My heart broke yesterday and my sympathy to his wonderful family and many friends. "

Eric Toll
(Air Traffic Controller NY)
March 17th, 2009
"When I was younger, I was a child actor. Ron was the lead role in Fellow Traveler (An HBO movie back in the 90's). I played his oldest son. Even though I had a small part in the movie, Ron showed me what is like to be a real actor. He was very professional and treated us kids with respect even though some of the other actors did not give us the time of day. I remember how friendly he was to me and my family. I also remember how at lunch time he would literally race to beat everyone to the lunch line. He was one funny guy. He will surely be missed. "

Vivicca Whitsett
(Fellow Actor & Admirer)
March 18th, 2009
"Having only met Ron a handful of times, I do remember him as a caring and passionate man. My heart weeps for his loss and I shall keep his family in prayer.

Heaven just got a little more radical now that Ron has joined it's ranks.

Peace"

Nan Gilbert
March 18th, 2009
"Ron Silver was a great, great actor. I always loved his work despite not always understanding his reactionary politics.
Rest in peace."

Pamela MyersLewis
(admirer)
March 18th, 2009
"I always enjoyed Mr. Silver's acting and admired him greatly for holding his personal convictions above his desire for approval. It cannot have been easy being a conservative in a mostly liberal industry and social environment. Our loss is Heaven's gain."

Corinna Carpenter
(Fan)
March 19th, 2009
"I have been a longtime fan of Ron Silver's and I am going to miss him greatly.I can't help but cry when I think about him. I wish I had the chance to meet him. I know that he is with G-d and is at peace. I miss you,Ron."

Hover your mouse over the wall images to see each guest book entry.

Guest Book (25 entries)
I have been a longtime fan of Ron Silver's and I am going to miss him greatly.I can't help but cry when I think about him. I wish I had the chance to meet him. I know that he is with G-d and is at peace. I miss you,Ron.
Corinna Carpenter (Fan)
March 19th, 2009
I always enjoyed Mr. Silver's acting and admired him greatly for holding his personal convictions above his desire for approval. It cannot have been easy being a conservative in a mostly liberal industry and social environment. Our loss is Heaven's gain.
Pamela MyersLewis (admirer)
March 18th, 2009
Ron Silver was a great, great actor. I always loved his work despite not always understanding his reactionary politics.
Rest in peace.
Nan Gilbert
March 18th, 2009
Having only met Ron a handful of times, I do remember him as a caring and passionate man. My heart weeps for his loss and I shall keep his family in prayer.

Heaven just got a little more radical now that Ron has joined it's ranks.

Peace
Vivicca Whitsett (Fellow Actor & Admirer)
March 18th, 2009
When I was younger, I was a child actor. Ron was the lead role in Fellow Traveler (An HBO movie back in the 90's). I played his oldest son. Even though I had a small part in the movie, Ron showed me what is like to be a real actor. He was very professional and treated us kids with respect even though some of the other actors did not give us the time of day. I remember how friendly he was to me and my family. I also remember how at lunch time he would literally race to beat everyone to the lunch line. He was one funny guy. He will surely be missed.
Eric Toll (Air Traffic Controller NY)
March 17th, 2009
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"One of the best things about the West Wing was the performances Ron gave as Bruno. Off-screen, a very smart, articulate and devoted family man. Gone before his time."
Karen
May 23rd, 2009
"God Bless Ron and his Family and loved ones. We will all miss a man of such True Integrity and Character."
Mark Williams
March 22nd, 2009
"A great actor, one of my favorites. You will be missed. Rest in peace...and may god bless your family."
Mary Boyland
March 19th, 2009
"God Bless You Ron, and your Family... I always enjoyed your acting. You will be missed!"
Kirk Hodge
March 19th, 2009
"I am so sorry to have learned of Ron Silver's death. I have always loved him as an actor and from the "talks" I've seen, he was a very down to earth person, compassionate & loving. My prayers are with him and his family."
Donna Ward
March 18th, 2009
"It's tragic to lose someone like Ron Silver who was ridiculed and ignored by his supposed professional friends solely for his ideological beliefs. This used to be a free Country where you were allowed to express your opinions without regret. Sadly."
Geoffrey Kelly
March 18th, 2009
"A fine actor... You will be missed. May your soul rest in peace"
Dee S
March 18th, 2009
"A man of true integrity and honour - a rare thing in todays world (as well as a great actor). Rest in Peace."
Jonathan Solomon
March 18th, 2009
"You always knew what you wanted and went right for it,even at 17 in Far Rockaway.and at UB. You made your mark everywhere you went, but there was so much more, we know.Your intelligence and light will be missed."
Barbara Barna
March 18th, 2009
"Your struggle with a horrible cancer is now behind you. May your spirit be at peace with the universe"
Nora Ebberts
March 16th, 2009

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