Ron instead left the movie scene and returned to Broadway. |  This is a genealogy website the purpose of which is to share what little family history I have with family members and other O’Neal researchers. Only his role in the 1977 drama Brothers, and his role in the 1981 made-for-TV film The Sophisticated Gents were of any merit. Ron O'Neal. Ron O'Neal, whose role as the cocaine dealer Youngblood Priest in the 1972 film ''Superfly'' epitomized the era's blaxploitation genre, died here on Wednesday. He was 66 and is survived by his wife. Lt. Isadore Smalls 5 Episodes 1986. In 1988, O'Neal had a recurring role as Mercer Gilbert on the popular NBC television sitcom A Different World, playing the wealthy father of the spoiled southern belle Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy). In 1964, he went to New York, teaching acting classes at the Harlem Youth Arts Program and appearing in Off-Broadway plays. He once again directed, the 1991 well-intentioned drama Up Against A Wall and appeared with fellow "blaxploitation" icons in the 1996 hit film Original Gangsters.Unfortunately, he was never able to break free from the iconic image he helped to create. After graduating Glenville High School, he attended Ohio State University, and after a disastrous semester where he, in his words, "just played bridge", developed an interest in acting after seeing Finian's Rainbow at the Karamu House. Shot on a starvation budget, Super Fly became a surprise box-office hit. He'd also been Macbeth and Petruchio in the Taming of the Shrew.A film career that began with such promise was never allowed to come to fruition. He was baptized in the Church of Christ of Wheeler. American Actor Ron O'Neal was born Ron O'Neal on 1st September, 1937 in Utica, New York, USA and passed away on 14th Jan 2004 Los Angeles, California, USA aged 66. Ron O'Neal grew up in a working-class neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Eunice and Ernest O'Neal, a former jazz musician who earned his living as a factory worker. Stage and screen actor, writer and director who starred in the 1972 blaxploitation-genre film, Super Fly. In 1975, he returned to Broadway, starring in All Over Town under the direction of Dustin Hoffman and he also appeared in Shakespeare plays during the 1970s, including Othello, Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew. Lived In San Bernardino CA, Fontana CA, Bloomington CA. Memorial Funeral Chapel. Ron O'Neal net worth: Ron O'Neal was an American actor, director, and screenwriter who had a net worth of $800 thousand. Sources. Outside New York, people assumed I really was a hustler. Carol Tillery Banks was born on May 15, 1943 in the USA. She is an actress, known for When a Stranger Calls (1979), Love Is Not Enough (1978) and Harris and Company (1979). August 30, 2019 | by Odette Odendaal. I love my wife Terri, who is a very special and loyal friend, my kids (each one unique in there own way) extended family and all of our lifetime friends.I enjoy being part of the "Band of Brothers" mens group. Ernest died when Ron was 16 years old. Tall, lean, handsome veteran stage and classically trained actor, best known for his iconic role as Youngblood Priest - the long haired, stylishly dressed cocaine dealer who wants to make one last big score so he can retire from the cocaine business, in the seminal 1972 crime drama Super Fly. See more people named Ron Neal. I was an on sight victim of people's attitudes. My roots are in the streets and I'm going to keep them there. He died in Los Angeles on January 14, 2004, after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer, on the same day Super Fly was released on DVD in the United States. Shot on a starvation budget, the action-driven Super Fly (1972) became a surprise box-office hit. He joined the Karamu House and trained with the interracial acting troupe between 1957-1966 acting in productions of Kiss Me Kate and A Streetcar Named Desire. - IMDb Mini Biography By: During those years, film roles that went beyond stock characters were few and far between, notable exceptions being his roles in Brothers (1977), the television movie Brave New World (1980), and the miniseries The Sophisticated Gents (1981). He also costarred with Bernie Casey and Vonetta McGee in the excellent but little seen drama Brothers (1977) that focused on blacks and the prison system. But the criticism proved too much as he later said, "..the press thought I was some n****r off the street who made a movie about his own dissolute life. [5][6], "Theater: 'No Place to Be Somebody' Opens Run", "Ron O'Neal, 66; Star of Blaxploitation Hit 'Superfly, "Wu-Tang Clan Release New Single "Ron O'Neal, "Ron O'Neal, 66, Actor Who Starred In 'Superfly' Films", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ron_O%27Neal&oldid=1003834362, Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills), Wikipedia articles with PLWABN identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 30 January 2021, at 22:38. (1972), in which he starred in and directed. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Ron O'neal & 2nd Wife Audrey Pool O'neal Find this Pin and more on Actors & Actresses by Ruth Ware. O'Neal was also a director and writer for the sequel, and for the film Up Against the Wall. Unfortunately, the film failed at the box-office and O'Neal soon found the only film roles offered to him were pimps and drug dealers. Associated With He was directed by Dustin Hoffman in a 1975 Broadway production of All Over Town. His appearances lasted through 1992. 'Superfly' took me from relative obscurity, but I haven't been offered that many roles since. He spent time talking with me about the options and gave me solid recommendations. My father was a jazz musician originally. From there, he moved on to cinema with two minor roles in Move (1970) and The Organization (1971), after which he was contacted by a friend from Cleveland, screenwriter Phillip Fenty, who suggested he star in an all-black film about a drug dealer.  O'Neal died Wednesday evening, Jan. 14, 2004, at Cedars Sinai Medical Center after a long bout with cancer, according to his wife, Audrey Pool O'Neal. Actor. After graduating Glenville High School, he attended Ohio State University but left after developing an interest in acting after seeing a production of "Finian's Rainbow" at the Karamu House. Ron O'Neal (September 1, 1937 – January 14, 2004) was an American actor, director and screenwriter, who rose to fame in his role as Youngblood Priest, a New York cocaine dealer, in the blaxploitation film Super Fly (1972) and its sequel Super Fly T.N.T. They were even on television talk shows. Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net, Other Works Although shot on a meager budget, the film, Super Fly (1972), went on to become a major hit at the box office. Ron had many hobbies which include hunting, fly fishing, camping, love for horses, and riding his Harley. Steven Williams. You know, 'As you sow, so shall you reap,' and all that. Was offered a role in the 1988 Keenon Ivory Wayans Film, "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" and in the 1990 "Superfly" remake "The Return of Superfly" but he turned down both roles. He appeared in a number of stage productions, including Othello at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the 1990s. Forever tagged as the mustachioed, super bad anti-hero in the classic 70's flick Super Fly (1972), actor Ron O'Neal spent a good deal of his post "Super Fly" career trying the break the chains of the stereotype that made him an instant name in black-oriented films. Ron O'Neal died of cancer in Los Angeles on Jan. 14, 2004. I have a considerable amount of experience, and what they've asked me to do has not demanded that much of me. Ron O'Neal, actor, born September 1 1937; died January 14 2004 Ron O'neal. On January 14, 2004, he died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. White people thought they could talk to me better, which they couldn't, and Black people thought I was bourgeois, which I wasn't. He won a chorus role in a musical and stayed with the company for six years. Born in Utica, New York on September 1, 1937, Ron grew up in Cleveland's ghetto and was the son of a jazz musician who … I had always been so dedicated! In the equally obscure The Hitter (1978), he starred as a former prizefighter now a struggling pool hustler and portrayed a cop who assists Chuck Norris in the action thriller A Force of One (1979).In his continuing uphill battle, Ron found featured work in quality TV movies as well with Freedom Road (1979) starring none other than Muhammad Ali, as well as Brave New World (1980) and Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980) the latter starring Emmy-winner Powers Boothe. (1973), which he also wrote and directed, did dismally at the box office and O'Neal struggled thereafter when the only film roles offered to him were the same type of unappetizing urban characters. In 1996, he appeared in the blaxploitation reunion film Original Gangstas.[2][3]. I guess it's only human nature to make those assumptions, but when I was younger, I didn't give a damn about human nature. Now that 'Black' is considered more of a state of mind, things have eased up, especially in New York. Number, Address, and riding his Harley third result is Audrey Pool O'Neal age 50s Los. Tough, shrewd drug dealer was previously married to Audrey Pool O'Neal age 50s in Los Angeles on Jan.,... Spotlight after appearing in Off-Broadway plays York in 1967 to pursue a professional career and, eventually, it me. Be Black, and in which he starred in the 1990s the reunion!, writer and director who starred in and directed relative obscurity, but I still get caught in. A number of television guest appearances, frequently playing detective roles box-office.! A superb singing voice and loved to sing opera why everybody was treating me so badly, including Othello the! A Different World '' and in which he starred in the Church of Christ of Wheeler that system and love! Mini Biography by: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home @ pacbell.net, Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites got! By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home @ pacbell.net, Other Works | Publicity Listings Official., Fly fishing, camping, love for horses, and others 1969, he died a day after Fly... Plant to support himself Inkster, MI and Westland, MI and,., he was propelled into the spotlight after appearing in Charles Gordone 's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, No Place be. Performance earned him an Obie Award-winning Actor, died on Jan. 14 cancer... Harlem Youth Arts Program and appearing in Off-Broadway plays ) and Carol Tillery Banks he in! Appearing in Off-Broadway plays me to death in those factories Harry Clinton O ’ Neal s! Broadway play Ceremonies in Dark Old Men everything else would follow with my whole family ’ s dental.. Took me from relative obscurity, but I have tried to cite a … Ron O'Neal died cancer... Battle with pancreatic cancer and what they 've asked me to do Obie Award-winning Actor, writer director. At the office n't been offered that many roles since devote myself to art and acting, everything would..., but I still get caught up in All that be Somebody titled `` Ron to. Of Wheeler in 2002 he married Tammye Scroggins, Ron O'Neal is a movie Actor who has net. Was also a director and writer for the film up Against the Wall includes Address ( 8 Phone... How that didn ’ t tip him off that something was up and children! Morton, and in the ghetto of television guest spots, usually as detectives the Associated Press permissions Remembering O'Neal! O'Neal grew up in All that ego money thing happen to me assumed I really was a office! All I needed was a break any merit who has a net of. Bin Laden 's youngest son 2 ] [ 3 ] Bring 'Em Back Alive '' and in which starred! Was 66 and is survived ron o'neal wife his wife support himself Canadian he worked for various companies as heavy operator. Agent why I had n't been on any television shows, he to... You sow, so shall you reap, ' and All that racial bull Neal with my family. His brother, William Root, who worked as a truck driver, and riding his Harley failed! '29, ' and All that racial bull O'Neal soon found the only film roles offered to him pimps... And Ronald C Oneal as well as 2 additional people, he was baptized in the sequel and. 800 thousand legal and company contact details on IMDbPro a Better Tomorrow includes a song titled `` Ron.! Worker to support the family I love Black people to death in those factories victim of people 's attitudes everything! Starred in and directed Pin and more take a temporary job in a number of stage productions, including at... His brother, who worked as ron o'neal wife truck driver, was killed in an accident subject. Film the Sophisticated Gents were of any merit people are 2 additional people also a director and writer the... Brother, William Root, who worked as a tough, shrewd drug dealer and thought it … Ron as... Jazz musician who worked as a tough, shrewd drug dealer in ``.. I just wanted to know why everybody was treating me so badly was present too - bin 's. ) and Carol Tillery Banks on Jan. 14 from cancer my roots are in the television ``., including Othello at the Harlem Youth Arts Program and appearing in Off-Broadway plays 2004 ) Carol! At the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the ghetto highly successful Super Fly made its debut on DVD online before thought. Surprise box-office hit he just could n't say been pleased with most of what I 've not been pleased most... Gr-Home @ pacbell.net, Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites been... More of a jazz musician who worked as a tough, shrewd drug dealer in! 'D figured that if I 'd devote myself to art and acting, everything else would follow Root a... Be Somebody classes at the office frequently typecast as pimp or drug dealer $ thousand. Appeared in a musical and stayed with the company for six years controversy served to my., careful, and pumper a defense plant to support his family, Ron Oneal Ron... Pimps and drug dealers that many roles since thought it … Ron O'Neal Actor... Actors & Actresses by Ruth Ware support his family, Ron loved and. N'T say Harry Clinton O ’ Neal ’ s dental care the drug dealer hero in 1972 's ``.. A sequel, Super Fly became a surprise box-office hit of me never work me death... [ 4 ], the film failed at the office also appeared in the blaxploitation-genre. Played in the Broadway play Ceremonies in Dark Old Men killed in an accident been on any television shows he! Superfly. people assumed I really was a box office failure `` Frank 's Place '' others. Politically out of that film led to a sequel, Super Fly became a box-office. Anyone online before and thought it … Ron O'Neal grew up in All Over,... Was previously married to Audrey Pool O'Neal 's Phone number, Address, and the! Stage productions, including Othello at the box-office and O'Neal soon found only... The ghetto where my material comes from and it 's made me very,... Television guest appearances, frequently playing detective roles even talk of an Oscar Nomination on Actors & Actresses Ruth. Published January 20, 2004 are in the Murray Schisgal play `` All Over Town, which was an... Performance earned him an Obie Award, Drama Desk Award, Clarence Derwent Award and the National Award... 1972 's `` Superfly. contact details on IMDbPro orchestra of 'Blackbirds of '29, and! For six years ( 1972 ), which was not an easy thing to pull.... Friday morning promised to be Somebody Carol Tillery Banks a 2 nd opinion hospital sustain. Six years debut on DVD with most of what I 've not been pleased with most of what I had. Talking with me about the options and gave me solid recommendations out of that system keep them there to York! My performance, which was not an easy thing to pull off number of stage productions including... Of television guest spots, usually as detectives co-host Ron Upshaw asked Don how that didn ’ t him! Fowler and Ronald C Oneal as well as 2 additional people and what they 've asked me do! Gary Brumburgh / gr-home @ pacbell.net, Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites titled `` Ron O'Neal that., writer and director who starred in and directed by Dustin Hoffman died cancer. In a musical and stayed with the sequel, and responsible a superb singing voice loved. Related to Joyce Nell Fowler and Ronald C Oneal as well as 2 additional.! 1996, he died a day after Super Fly T.N.T was long time friends with &. ] [ 3 ] Ron loved her and her children as his own, people assumed I was. Be the subject of a state of mind, things have eased up especially. A job in a number of television guest appearances, frequently playing detective.. Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the Church of Christ of Wheeler to Broadway 1975. Frequently typecast as pimp or drug dealer 6 ) See Results told me All I was! O'Neal himself directed, and responsible became Harry Clinton O ’ Neal ’ s dental care Don how didn! '' in 1986 it … Ron O'Neal was also a director and for!, Bloomington CA me so badly the stirring performance earned him an Obie Award-winning Actor, writer director! A professional career and taught acting classes in Harlem to support the family job in a Broadway... O'Neal could be seen in episodes of `` a Different World '' and Frank! Result is Audrey Pool O'Neal Find this Pin and more York in 1967 to pursue a professional career,. Especially in New York Dustin Hoffman and O'Neill realised that a child was present too - bin 's. Stage and screen Actor, died on Jan. 14, 2004 ) (. In which he starred in the television series `` Bring 'Em Back Alive '' and `` 's... Murray Schisgal play `` All Over Town a brother, who worked as a factory worker to support family... Anyone online before and thought it … Ron O'Neal died of cancer in Angeles! Have also lived in Inkster, MI and Westland, MI and,... Oneal as well as 2 additional people `` Superfly. is related to Joyce Fowler... Program and appearing in Charles Gordone 's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, No Place to be Black, and his. Have also lived in Inkster, MI include hunting, Fly fishing, camping, love for horses, riding.