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March 16, 2009
Sad News, Actor Ron Silver Passes Away
Actor and longtime political activist Ron Silver died this morning, succumbing to a long battle with cancer, friends of the liberal Democrat-turned-GOP stalwart told The Post.
“Ron Silver died peacefully in his sleep with his family around him this morning,” said Robin Bronk, executive director of the Creative Coalition, which Silver helped create.
“He had been fighting esophageal cancer for two years and his family is making arrangements for a private service.”
Friends of Silver first told Post columnist Cindy Adams of the native New Yorker’s death.
The steely-eyed, blunt-talking Silver, 62, enjoyed a long career on the stage, TV and in movies, and most recently hosted a public affairs talk show on Sirius satellite radio.
"He had been fighting esophageal cancer for two years and his family is making arrangements for a private service."
Silver was a man of principle in Hollywood. It’s not that he had a “conservative” conversion; the Democrat party that he grew up in left him. And, to his credit, he didn’t participate in the group think of the Hollywood lemmings.
A Ron Silver quote:
“even though people ostracized me in this industry, I will always have my morals and principles while they have lost theirs.”
He spoke at the Republican Convention in 2004 where he gave a speech in support of Bush-Cheney and he was great!
Ron was on Chris Matthew’s show during the Republican Convention in ‘04.
Someone made a crazy Olbermann type comment that they usually get away with on Matthew’s show without objection, but not with Ron Silver there! Ron’s response was brillant. So much so, that Janeane Garofalo, who was also on the show that night, looked at him and said, “you are so intelligent-it is a shame you are not on our side.”
For him to separate himself from those on the left and in Hollywood, and do it so publically, shows character.
Actor Ron Silver, addressing the Pro-USA and pro-troops rally in Washington DC and responding to his introduction as a "prominent linberal" said "I think you've seen the end of my days as prominent liberal."
"Peace at what risk? Peace on whose terms? Peace for how long?" he went on. "There are worse things than war. People who think nothing is worth a war is worse."
The enthusiastic crowd cheered as Silver evoked Elie Wiesel and the lessons learned through the horrors of Nazi Germany
Condolences to Ron Silver’s family and friends.
The following are Silver’s remarks to the 2004 Republican National Convention:
I want to thank the President and the Republican Party for holding this event in my hometown, my father’s hometown, my grandfather’s and great grandfather’s birthplace.
Just over 1,000 days ago, 2,605 of my neighbors were murdered at the World Trade Center — men, women and children — as they began their day on a brilliantly clear New York autumn morning, less than four miles from where I am now standing.
We will never forgive. Never forget. Never excuse!
At the end of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander of the South Pacific, said:
“It is my earnest hope - indeed the hope of all mankind - that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past, a world found upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice.”
The hope he expressed then remains relevant today.
We are again engaged in a war that will define the future of humankind.
Responding to attacks on our soil, America has led a coalition of countries
against extremists who want to destroy our way of life and our values.
This is a war we did not seek.
This is a war waged against us.
This is a war to which we had to respond.
History shows that we are not imperialists . . .but we are fighters for freedom and democracy.
Even though I am a well-recognized liberal on many issues confronting our society today, I find it ironic that many human rights advocates and outspoken members of my own entertainment community are often on the front lines to protest repression, for which I applaud them but they are usually the first ones to oppose any use of force to take care of these horrors that they
catalogue repeatedly.
Under the unwavering leadership of President Bush, the cause of freedom and democracy is being advanced by the courageous men and women serving in our Armed Services.
The President is doing exactly the right thing.
That is why we need this President at this time!
I am grateful for the chance to speak tonight to express my support for our Commander-in-Chief, for our brave troops, and for the vital cause which they have undertaken.
General Dwight Eisenhower’s statement of 60 years ago is true today . . .
“United in this determination and with unshakable faith in the cause for which we fight, we will, with God’s help, go forward to our greatest victory.”
Thank you.
Posted by Wild Thing at March 16, 2009 06:48 AM
Comments
Ron Silver had the bravery of Daniel in the lions den. He chose to make a change in his life and was not ashamed of it. He was not scared and he did not waver in it. God showed him his path and he took it. It wasn't always easy or pretty, but he held on tight and kept his head up high for his own beliefs. God has blessed him in Heaven. But he is never dead as long as we remember him for his courage, his tenacity and gratitude for being born an American citizen.
Posted by: Lynn at March 16, 2009 08:29 AM
Lynn states it better than I can.
I heard Ron Silver's speech from the convention. It was a very good speech and I had trouble believing those words came from a Hollywood type.
Posted by: TomR at March 16, 2009 12:06 PM
So sad, we've lost an ally!!!
Posted by: Jack at March 16, 2009 02:39 PM
