Ron Vawter

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Biography

An actor of stage and screen, Ron Vawter was best known for essaying the parts of Roy Cohn and Jack Smith, a pair of prominent but wildly different homosexuals, both of whom died of AIDS in the 1980s. Having gained experience in performing in small troupes, Vawter took on the play about them in 1980 and was soon touring North America and a few major European cities. In London, he received much acclaim and several awards for his work in the play. He starred in the screen version of Roy Cohn/Jack Smith, but it was not released until after his death. Vawter's other film credits include Philadelphia (1993), Silence of the Lambs (1991), and sex, lies, and videotape (1989). ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
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Ron Vawter
Born December 9, 1948(1948-12-09)
Latham, New York
Died April 16, 1994(1994-04-16) (aged 45)
On a plane from Zürich to New York City

Ron Vawter (December 9, 1948 – April 16, 1994) was an American actor and a founding member of the experimental theater company, The Wooster Group.

Vawter performed in most of the Group's works until his death from a heart attack in 1994 at the age of 45.[1] He originated roles in Rumstick Road, Nayatt School, Point Judith (an epilog), Route 1 & 9, Hula, L.S.D. (...Just the High Points...), Frank Dell's The Temptation of Saint Antony, North Atlantic, and Brace Up!. He appeared on video in Fish Story, and in the Group's video pieces White Homeland Commando and Flaubert Dreams of Travel but the Illness of His Mother Prevents It.

In addition to his work with The Wooster Group, Vawter appeared in films, including King Blank, Philadelphia, The Silence of the Lambs and Sex, Lies, and Videotape, generally playing small but memorable character roles.[2] He also performed in theater pieces by Richard Foreman, Jeff Weiss, Mabou Mines, and The Performance Group.

In his 1992 work for the stage, Vawter explored the themes of sexual identity in Roy Cohn/Jack Smith, a series of two monologues that contrast the characters of two gay men who died of AIDS.[1] The Jack Smith section was a recreation of Smith's performance "What's Underground About Marshmallows?" and the Roy Cohn section was written by Gary Indiana.[3] It was directed by Greg Mehrten and created with Clay Shirky and Marianne Weems. The piece was released as a film directed by Jill Godmilow in which the sections were intercut.[4]

Ron Vawter's papers are held by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.[5]

References

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Mentioned in

Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez (1991 Musical Film)
Lear '87 Archive (2001 Theater Film)
Roy Cohn/Jack Smith (1994 Drama Film)
King Blank (1983 Drama Film)