Ron Richardson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ron Richardson
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| Born |
Ronald E. Richardson
January 27, 1952 |
| Died | April 5, 1995 (aged 43) Bronxville, New York, U.S.
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| Years active | 1970s-1994 |
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Ronald E. Richardson (January 27, 1952 – April 5, 1995) was an American actor and singer. He was known for his deep singing voice, called a baritone. Ron started his acting career in the mid-1970s. He performed in plays and operas in different parts of the country. From 1978 to 1993, he acted in several shows on Broadway. Broadway is a famous theater district in New York City. He is best known for winning a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award. He won these awards for his role as "Jim" in the 1985 musical Big River.
Early Life and Music
Ron Richardson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents were William F. and Amanda Richardson. His father worked in the meat industry. His mother ran a beauty salon from their home for over 30 years. Ron had one sister, Vickilyn Reynolds, and two brothers, W. Franklyn Richardson and Raymond Lloyd Richardson.
Music was a big part of Ron's family life. He started singing at his family's church when he was only four years old. In high school, he began to study singing more seriously. He sang in choirs and performed in dinner theater musicals. He also learned about how to create music. After high school, Ron went to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. There, he studied voice. He also acted in classic musicals like Show Boat, Camelot, and Man of La Mancha.
Ron Richardson's Career
In 1977, Ron Richardson played the role of "Sportin' Life" in the Porgy and Bess opera. This was a production by the Houston Grand Opera. His first role on Broadway was in 1978. He played the "Chief of Police" in the musical Timbuktu!.
Over the next few years, Ron performed in many plays and operas. He also joined the national tour of Dreamgirls in 1983. But he became widely known after his amazing performance in Big River. This Broadway musical opened in 1985. In it, Ron played "Jim," a person who had escaped slavery. Ron's portrayal of Jim was very strong and inspiring.
He once told an interviewer from The New York Times:
"When I play Jim, I am playing my grandfather... He was born a free man, but his father and mother were slaves. He was very strong, and very majestic."
This shows how much he connected with the character.
After Big River finished its run in 1987, Ron traveled the world. He performed in concerts and plays in London, Japan, Moscow, and St. Petersburg, Russia. He also appeared in a play called Ground People at The American Place Theater. Ron also starred as "Husky Miller" in a new version of Carmen Jones at the Old Vic theater.
In the early 1990s, Ron Richardson appeared in two more Broadway shows. These were Oh, Kay! and The Boys Choir of Harlem and Friends.
Later Years
Ron Richardson passed away on April 5, 1995, in Bronxville, New York. He was 43 years old. His funeral was held on April 8 in Mount Vernon, New York, where he had lived.
