Ronnie Eckstine facts for kids

Ron Eckstine, born in 1946, is known as a former actor and a music manager. He is the stepson of the famous singer Billy Eckstine, through Billy's marriage to Ron's mother, Carolle Drake.

Early Life and Education

Ron Eckstine played high school football at Birmingham High School. He and his older brother Kenny were the only African American students there at the time. After high school, he went on to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Career in Entertainment

In 1965, Ron Eckstine served in the military. After completing his service, he received acting training from Lillian Randolph. He then made his first appearance as an actor in the 1967 film The Love-Ins.

He also acted in the 1968 TV movie Shadow on the Land. This movie was based on Sinclair Lewis's novel It Can't Happen Here. Ron Eckstine also had guest roles in popular television series like Room 222 and Cannon.

Later, in the 1970s, Ron Eckstine shifted his focus to music. He created and managed a teen vocal group called Spicegarden. Laddie Chapman was the musical director for this group. By the 1980s, Eckstine started promoting concerts. He also managed groups that performed disco and other dance music. By the late 1990s, he had started his own company, Ron Eckstine Management, located in Beverly Hills.

Personal Life

Ron Eckstine met singer Leslie Uggams in June 1964. She was performing at the Flamingo in Las Vegas when they met, and they began dating. The next month, while Leslie Uggams was performing in Australia, she announced their engagement. However, when Ron Eckstine joined the military, Leslie Uggams later married Grahame Pratt in 1965.