Ron Glass, who had a main role as Shepherd Derrial Book in the cult television show Firefly, has passed away at 71.
Ron Glass knew he wanted to act while he was in college, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts double majoring in Drama and Literature. After moving to Hollywood in the 1970s, Mr. Glass appeared in numerous television shows, including Sanford and Son, Hawaii Five-O, All in the Family, and Good Times. In 1975, he got a starring role of Det. Ron Harris in the NYPD sitcom Barney Miller. He worked alongside Abe Vigoda, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 94. After the show ended in 1982, Mr. Glass once again guest starred dozens of television shows, such as The Twilight Zone (1985) and Star Trek: Voyager (2000) with main roles in Rhythm & Blues (1992), Mr. Rhodes (1996-97) and Teen Angel (1997-98).
Science fiction fans fondly remember Ron Glass in Joss Whedon’s Firefly, which ran for one season in 2002. Mr. Glass portrayed Shepherd Derrial Book, a devout Christian with a seemingly dark and mysterious past. Due to the show getting canceled after one season, his past was left uncovered. However, Book’s story line was continued in the 2010 comic book The Shepherd’s Tale. Mr. Glass reprised his role of Book in the film Serenity (2005), which takes place after the last episode of Firefly.
We thank Ron Glass for all that he contributed to the genres that we love so dearly. Our thoughts are with his fans and loved ones.
Ron Glass was one of the greatest actors to work with. His laugh was beyond infectious and his generosity was ever present. #ripronglass
— alan tudyk (@AlanTudyk) November 26, 2016
