Ronald Dennis died at the age of 78. He was best known for playing dancer Richie Walters in the original 1975 production of A Chorus Line. The actor was told he had HIV in 1984, and he died on December 17, 2022, after a long battle with the disease. His friends and family were there.
Dennis was a star on Broadway for many years and worked there for a long time. He also worked to make people aware of AIDS. Read on to find out more about his life and work.
How Did 78-year-old Broadway star Ronald Dennis Die?
In a statement, Dennis’s representatives said that he had died and thanked the doctors and nurses who had cared for him over the years. “We would like to thank the many doctors and nurses who have cared for him over the years, but especially the entire staff at Canyon Trails who have given him such personal care over the past year,” the statement said.
The actor had AIDS for a long time and was also a strong supporter of getting the word out about it. After he was diagnosed, he worked as the senior advisor for APLA’s Project Rise and started the HIV Medication Adherence Board for Black men.
Dennis was also a part of the Broadway Cares Advisory Council, which is a non-profit group that raises money for AIDS patients. The actor’s family includes his brother George and his nephews and nieces.
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In the new year, memorials for the dead person will be held in both Los Angeles and New York. Instead of sending flowers, the family has asked that people donate to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS instead.
How Did Ronald Dennis Begin his Career?
The actor started his career on the Great White Way in the 1960s with Hello Dolly, which was helmed by Pearl Bailey. He was then cast in the role of Richie Walters in the original production of A Chorus Line. He also introduced ‘Gimme the Ball’, which went on to become one of the show’s musical highlights.
Dennis also starred in a number of other Broadway productions, including Don’t Bother me I Can’t Cope, Showboat, Pippin, My One and Only, La Cage Aux Folles, and Dancin. He also wrote for the autobiographical one-man show Don’t Grab the Gown Till You See the Gurney, in which he also acted.
Then Ronald moved to Los Angeles, where he had guest roles in shows like Welcome Back Kotter, Laverne & Shirley, Chico and the Man, and Baretta. In a documentary called Broadway Beyond the Golden Age, in which he played himself, the actor also played himself.
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Marvin Hamlisch, who wrote the music for “A Chorus Line,” wrote a tweet about how sad he was about Dennis’ death. He posted a picture of the late actor with the rest of the cast and wrote, “We are sad to hear about the death of Ronald Dennis, who played Ritchie in the original production of A Chorus Line. In his honour, we’ll high-kick and sing “Gimme That Ball” today.”
The family and friends of Ronald Dennis have our deepest condolences. May his soul rest in peace!