Ron Thompson (actor)

Ron Thompson (January 31, 1941 – April 29, 2020) was an American actor known for his work primarily in television and film from the 1960s through the early 2000s. He frequently played character roles, often portraying tough or working-class individuals.

Thompson's early career included guest appearances on popular television shows such as The Virginian, Gunsmoke, and Bonanza. He gained wider recognition for his role as Sheriff Wade in the cult classic film Electra Glide in Blue (1973). He also appeared in films such as American Graffiti (1973) and The Towering Inferno (1974).

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Thompson continued to work steadily in television, with recurring roles and guest appearances on numerous series including Starsky & Hutch, The Rockford Files, Little House on the Prairie, and Hill Street Blues. His later film roles included appearances in Prime Risk (1985) and Prison (1987).

Thompson's career extended into the 1990s and 2000s with roles in television shows such as ER, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Profiler. His final credited acting role was in the film Joe Dirt (2001).

Ron Thompson died on April 29, 2020, at the age of 79.