Ron Eldard

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Biography

At times bearing a resemblance to a slightly stockier Tim Roth, former Golden Gloves contender Ron Eldard first became familiar to television audiences with his standout role as the love interest of Julianna Margulies on the hit television drama ER. Though Eldard had been appearing in film and television since the late '80s, it was the dawn of the new millennium that found Eldard's career reborn with roles in such acclaimed films as Barry Levinson's Sleepers (1996), Mystery, Alaska (1999), and Black Hawk Down (2001). Eldard was born into a large family of six siblings in New York City in 1965; his mother died when he was very young, forcing the siblings apart in order to live with various relatives. The second youngest of his siblings, Eldard sought a boxing career in the Golden Gloves after discovering his remarkable strength early in life. Following his graduation from New York's renowned High School of the Performing Arts, Eldard's passion for drama was ignited, and he went on to appear on One Life to Live before he made his feature debut in 1989's True Love. After competing for the love of Phoebe Cates in Drop Dead Fred, Eldard would subsequently appear in numerous roles in film (Scent of a Woman [1992] and The Last Supper [1995]) and television (Arresting Behavior and Men Behaving Badly). Eldard's onscreen romance with Margulies blossomed into true-life romance shortly after the two were paired up on ER, and the couple became an offscreen item as well. Though subsequent feature roles increased Eldard's recognition factor, he had yet to parlay his acting career into leading-man territory. The new millennium, however, found the now-established actor edging ever closer to headline status with roles in Just a Kiss (2002), Ghost Ship (also 2002), and House of Sand and Fog (2003). As a stage actor, Eldard has impressed Broadway audiences with roles in Biloxi Blues, On the Waterfront, and Death of a Salesman. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
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Ron Eldard
Born Ronald Jason Eldard
(1965-02-20) February 20, 1965 (age 47)
Long Island, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 1989–present

Ronald Jason "Ron" Eldard (born February 20, 1965) is an American actor.

Contents

Early life

Eldard, the second youngest of seven children (4 sisters and 2 brothers), was born on Long Island, New York. Eldard's mother died in a car accident when he was a child, and Eldard and his siblings were sent to live with various family members. He attended grade school in Utah while living with his aunt and uncle. At age 13, Ron moved to Ridgewood, Queens to live with his sister Lana and her husband.

Eldard attended JHS 93 annex in the 7th grade and then JHS 93 in the 8th and 9th grades. He worked at a local fast food restaurant called Chicken Galore where he often wore the "Chicken Suit" mascot costume. He was locally known, by friends & co-workers, for copying the performances of Steve Martin and Robin Williams, and would perform various skits when given the opportunity.

Eldard graduated from the New York High School for the Performing Arts' Drama Department.

He also performed street magic in Manhattan.

Career

Eldard made his film debut in the 1989 comedy True Love, written and directed by Nancy Savoca, and co-starring Annabella Sciorra. This film won the Grandy Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Eldard has performed on Broadway in critically acclaimed productions of On the Waterfront, Biloxi Blues, Bash: Latterday Plays, and Death of a Salesman. The latter two were filmed for Showtime productions.

However, Eldard is probably best known for his role as Mickey Bunce in the cult film Drop Dead Fred (1991).

Eldard is also known for his evocative role as sympathetic street thug John Reilly in the 1996 film Sleepers which co-starred Brad Pitt, Billy Crudup, Jason Patric, Kevin Bacon, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Deniro, and Minnie Driver.

On January 9, 2006 he debuted in the role of Father Flynn in the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway production of Doubt opposite the British actress Dame Eileen Atkins.

Personal life

Eldard met Julianna Margulies in an acting class in 1991, and they developed a close relationship.[citation needed] She was a principal of ER from its first season, and for the second (1995-'96) season and an episode longer, he was a frequently recurring character (often playing opposite her) as the paramedic Shep. He was billed just below her in Ghost Ship in 2002. That relationship ended in 2003.[citation needed]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1989 True Love Michael
One Life to Live Blade Television series
1991 Drop Dead Fred Mickey Bunce
1992 Jumpin' Joe Joe Dugan Television film
Arresting Behavior Officer Donny Walsh Television series
Scent of a Woman Officer Gore
1993 Tribeca Phil Television series
1993–1994 Bakersfield P.D. Detective Wade Preston Television series
1995 Sex & the Other Man Bill Jameson
Last Supper, TheThe Last Supper Pete
1995–1996 ER Paramedic Ray 'Shep' Shepard Television series
1996 Bastard Out of Carolina Glen Waddell
Sleepers John Reilly
1996–1997 Men Behaving Badly Kevin Murphy Television series
1998 Deep Impact Oren Monash
When Trumpets Fade Pvt./Sgt./Lt. David Manning Television film
1999 Homicide: Life on the Street Emmet Carey Television series
Delivered Reed aka Death by Pizza
Runner, TheThe Runner Edward Harrington
Mystery, Alaska Matt 'Skank' Marden
2000 Death of a Salesman Biff Loman Television film
2001 Bash: Latter-Day Plays Television film
Black Hawk Down CWO Michael Durant
2002 Just a Kiss Dag
Ghost Ship Dodge
2003 House of Sand and Fog Lester
2005 Fathers and Sons Tom Television film
Blind Justice Detective Jim Dunbar Television series
2006 Freedomland Danny Martin
Diggers Jack
2007 Demons Gus Television film
Already Dead Thomas Archer
2008 Tenth Circle, TheThe Tenth Circle Daniel Stone Television film
2009 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Geno Parnell Television series
2011 In Plain Sight Carl Harris Television series
Super 8 Louis Dainard
Roadie Jimmy Testagross

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Mentioned in

Delivered (1998 Comedy Drama Film)
The Healers: ER (TV Episode) (1996 Drama TV Episode)
The Tenth Circle (2008 Drama Film)
Summer Run: ER (TV Episode) (1995 Drama TV Episode)