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Ron Thompson (actor)

Ron Thompson
Thompson in 2018 at the Cargo premiere
Born	(1941-01-31)January 31, 1941[1] Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	April 13, 2024(2024-04-13) (aged 83) Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Ronnie Thompson
Occupation(s)	Actor, singer, dancer, songwriter
Years active	1962–2023

Ron Thompson (January 31, 1941 – April 13, 2024) was an American actor, singer-songwriter and dancer.

Life and career[edit]

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Thompson was perhaps best known for his dual lead roles in Ralph Bakshi's critically acclaimed rotoscope film American Pop^[2][3][4][5] and the 1970s TV series Baretta in the role of Detective Nopke.^[3][6]

Thompson had a brief career as a rock singer in the 1960s and wrote and recorded a number of singles as Ronnie Thompson under the guidance of his mentor and friend, rockabilly singer Ersel Hickey.^[3]

Thompson originated the role of Shanty Mulligan in the 1969 Pulitzer Prize winning play No Place to Be Somebody^{[3][7][8][9][10]}byCharles Gordone.^[11][12] In his review for The New York Times, Mel Gussow wrote that Thompson was "splendid" in his role.^[13]

Thompson won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for his 1973 theatre lead performance in the play Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?^[3][14] A young Al Pacino had won a Tony for playing the part in 1969.^[1]

The Progress Bulletin praised Thompson's performance in the 1976 Felton Perry play Buy the Bi and Bye calling it an "offbeat and hilarious black satire with a zinging performance by Ron Thompson."^[15]

Thompson did a dramatic portrayal of Henry David Thoreau on the 1976 NBC television series The Rebels.^[16][17]

Thompson starred in the 2018 thriller film Cargo.^[18][19][20]

Thompson died at his apartment in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, on April 13, 2024, at the age of 83.^[21] He was found dead by filmmaker Joe Black.^[1]

Theatre[edit]

Film[edit]

Television[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Official website
• Ron ThompsonatIMDb
• Ron Thompson discography at Discogs
• Ron ThompsononFacebook
• Ron ThompsononInstagram
• Ron Thompson's channelonYouTube
• 'American Pop'... Matters: Ron Thompson, the Illustrated Man Unsung interview at PopMatters
• Radio interview with actor Ron Thompson of American PoponYouTube
• American Pop – Q&A video with actor Ron Thompson at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CaliforniaonVimeo
• Beyond the Marquee – EXCLUSIVE: Ralph Bakshi's AMERICAN POP – Video of Historic Q&A with Actor Ron Thompson
• Hate Horses – Official feature film trailer starring Ron ThompsononYouTube
• Ron Thompson Skype InterviewonYouTube
• The Only One In The Room Podcast
• Ron Thompson WPWL 103.7 radio interview
• Cargo – Official trailer starring Ron ThompsononYouTube