Ron Dean, the tough-as-nails character actor whose unmistakable Chicago presence graced some of the city’s most iconic films and television series, has died at the age of 87.
Born in Chicago, Dean attended the DeKalb School of the Arts, and trained at The Second City. He became a fixture of Chicago’s acting community for more than four decades, bringing authenticity and grit to every role he played.
If you worked in the film business in Chicago, you knew Ron Dean. He built a prolific career portraying cops, detectives, and blue-collar Chicagoans, a niche that made him the go-to for casting directors whenever a production called for the real deal. With his distinctive Chicago accent and unvarnished demeanor, he embodied the city on screen in a way few others could.
His Chicago film credits read like a sizzle reel of the city’s cinematic history: The Dark Knight, The Babe, Cold Justice, Shaking the Tree, The Breakfast Club, The Fugitive, Above the Law, The Color of Money, Risky Business, Rudy, The Package, Code of Silence, among others. On television, he appeared in Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Early Edition, Chicago Hope, and Crime Story alongside fellow Chicagoan Dennis Farina, and a long list of national series including NYPD Blue, ER, Frasier, The West Wing, and CSI.
Dean’s career also extended to the stage, earning him a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination in 1996 for his supporting role in Supple in Combat at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, a reminder that his range extended well beyond the police badge.
He worked repeatedly with director Andrew Davis, appearing in many of his films, and shared the screen with major stars including Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, and Gene Hackman. Despite the attraction to Hollywood, Dean never left his Chicago roots behind. He portrayed Chicago cops more times than any other actor without holding a regular series role, a testament to his consistency, reliability, and unmistakable presence.
Ron’s friends and loved ones respond:
Maggie Neff, Ron’s partner — “He passed at exactly 4pm, after his beloved sisters had said their goodbyes. He hung on like a warrior to say goodbye to his little sisters. Then we were alone, and in my arms, I held his hand, and he trusted me when I told him that it was alright to let go. What an honor! It’s hard to capture what an extraordinary human being Ron was. Ron’s sister Lynnie and I got a hotdog at Byron’s on Irving Park in honor of Ron. One glamorous woman friend of Ron’s once told me that she’d rather grab a hot dog with Ron Dean, than have a fancy dinner with some rich bloke. I have always felt the same way. I’d rather have an ice-cream in the parking lot of a 7/11 and buy a bunch of scratch tickets and dream of being a millionaire with Ron Dean, than just about anything else, because to dream big with Ron, gave one the courage to dream at all.”
Director, Andrew Davis, Chicago Pacific Entertainment — “Ron Dean was my dear friend and a tremendous actor. He was the essence of what Chicago talent represented. We did seven films together. Having a very troubled youth Ron turned his life around to have a wonderful career as a loving, decent human being and respected talent. The interrogation scene in The Fugitive with Ron Dean and Joe Kosala deeply moved Harrison Ford. When we first screened the film for Harrison, realizing we had captured the audience’s empathy for the totally distraught Dr. Kimball he leaned over and kissed me. This was made possible because of the great performance by Harrison but also the tough cynical unjust treatment by these Chicago cops.”
Actor, Joey Pantoliano — “Ron was such a good guy, great sense of humor, and a great actor. Always made me smile when I saw his name on the call sheet.”
Producer, Val Gobos — “Chicago and the entire film and television Industry lost a great actor, and those of us that knew and loved Ron lost a great friend”
Across Chicago’s film and television community, Ron Dean’s loss is felt deeply. His passing marks the loss of a true Chicago original whose on-screen presence reflected the city’s grit, humor, and heart with unmistakable authenticity. He wasn’t just playing Chicago, he was Chicago, and his legacy will continue to resonate through the countless stories he helped bring to life.
Memorial service details will be posted when they are made available.
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