Farewell to Ron Silver

Activist, scholar, actor. He ran the political spectrum, but he was always honest about where he stood. And the man knew how to get things done. Fare thee well, sir, fare thee well.

Actor Ron Silver dies after two-year battle with esophageal cancer

BY Jane H. Furse
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Updated Monday, March 16th 2009, 8:27 AM

Actor Ron Silver has died after a two-year fight with esophageal cancer.

Actor and political activist Ron Silver died Sunday after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer, according to a spokesman for the Creative Coalition, the public policy organization he co-founded.

Robin Bronk, the coalition's executive director, said Silver, 62, "died peacefully in his sleep with his family around him early Sunday morning. He had been fighting esophageal cancer for two years and the family is making arrangements for a private service." [Read More @ NY Daily News]

Khan is Gone

[Also posted at my main blog, Prophet or Madman]

Today we lose another acting legend. Ricardo Montalban died this morning at his home. He was 88.

I remember Mr. Montalban's work with fondness. I loved his portrayal of the civilized Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island and the outlaw warrior Khan from the Star Trek series (and the film, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan). I even watched some Kim Possible episodes simply because he was voicing the villain.

I hope someone was there with him in his final moments, possibly letting out an ear-splitting, "Khaaaaaaaaaan!" just to let them know, over on the other side, that an actor with the heart of a warrior was on his way.

From Fox News:

Montalban's death was announced at a meeting of the city council by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. Garcetti did not give a cause of death.

"The Ricardo Montalban Theatre in my Council District — where the next generations of performers participate in plays, musicals, and concerts — stands as a fitting tribute to this consummate performer," Garcetti said later in a written statement.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479941,00.html