Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

West Wing's Ron Silver Dead at 62

West Wing star became staunch Bush supporter

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 16, 2009 5:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – Ron Silver, the award-winning actor who became an outspoken supporter of George W. Bush late in his career, died yesterday of esophageal cancer at age 62. As the Los Angeles Times writes, Silver won a Tony for his role in David Mamet's play Speed-the-Plow and won acclaim as campaign strategist Bruno Gianelli on The West Wing. He also served as president of Actor's Equity, the profession's labor union, throughout the 1990s.

Silver campaigned for Bill Clinton and was a vocal advocated for liberal causes such as gay rights and stem cell research—but after 9/11, he became a staunch Republican and even spoke at the GOP convention in 2004. Silver said that his support for Bush may have cost him some roles in Hollywood, but "in this business, there are a million different reasons people don't want to work with you."

Actor Ron Silver has died in New York City after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer.
Actor Ron Silver has died in New York City after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer.   (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta, File)
Ron Silver, Madonna and Joe Mantegna take their curtain call after the opening performance of Madonna's Broadway debut of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow at Lincoln Center in New York in 1988.
Ron Silver, Madonna and Joe Mantegna take their curtain call after the opening performance of Madonna's Broadway debut of David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow" at Lincoln Center in New York in 1988.   (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, file)
Ron Silver, who played Bruno Gianelli in the TV series The West Wing, in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday Oct. 8, 2008.
Ron Silver, who played Bruno Gianelli in the TV series The West Wing, in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday Oct. 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Actor Ron Silver speaks during the evening session of day one of the 2004 Republican National Convention  August 30, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Actor Ron Silver speaks during the evening session of day one of the 2004 Republican National Convention August 30, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Ron Silver, who died yesterday at 62, appears in an episode of The West Wing.   (nlandess)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Mad
Mar 18, 2009 1:32 AM CDT
A outspoken supporter of George W. Bush ... died yesterday of esophageal cancer. The God of Irony laughs
NxBigmouthery
Mar 16, 2009 8:21 AM CDT
RIP Mr Silver. Hard-working man.
riffran
Mar 16, 2009 8:20 AM CDT
wow didn't even know he was sick...rest in peace

More Newser Stories

Actor Dom DeLuise Dead at 75

Veteran Actor Whitmore Dead at 87

Actor Sam Bottoms Dead at 53

Actor Paul Scofield Dead at 86

Actor Renfro Dead at 25; Cause Unknown


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne