The four-time Tony Award-winning producer was 63

Ron Simons

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Ron Simons, actor and four-time Tony Award-winning producer, has died. He was 63 years old.

His production company SimonSays Entertainment announced that Simons died on Wednesday. The cause of death was not immediately known.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved, blessed and cherished friend Ronald Keith Simons. Funeral details will be announced shortly,” the production company wrote in a statement on Facebook.

Born in Detroit on November 30, 1960, Simons did not initially pursue a career as an actor or theater player. After earning an MBA in marketing and international business from Columbia Business School in 1989, he began his professional career at Microsoft as a product manager in San Francisco.

It was only years later, at the age of 39, that he decided to quit his job and follow his dreams in the entertainment industry.

He earned his MFA in acting from the University of Washington and eventually moved from California to New York, where he joined the Classical Theatre of Harlem and began landing guest roles in films and television shows.

His film appearances over the years include Johnny Zero, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”, 27 dresses, Gun Hill Street, law and order, the defenders, Daredevil, The resident And Then you came.

However, when he didn’t get as many acting roles as he would have liked, Simons decided to focus on producing and founded SimonSays Entertainment in 2009.

His first job as a producer was in 2010 on the film The night catches usstarring Kerry Washington and Anthony Mackie. As for the theatre, he began with the revival of Porgy and Besswith Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis.

Simons has co-produced several Broadway shows throughout his career and won Tony Awards for Porgy and Bess, A gentleman’s guide to love and murder, Vanya and Sonya and Masha and SpikeAnd Jitney.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Simons decided to take another leap, this time as executive producer with the Thoughts of a Black Man and the resumption of for girls of color who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enough.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and former trustee Ron Simon,” the Classical Theatre of Harlem said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family. Ron left an unparalleled legacy on Broadway and beyond. We will always remember his kindness and incredible talent that inspired so many.”