Ron Dean, ‘Risky Business’ and ‘The Breakfast Club’ Actor, Dies At 87

Ron Dean, an actor known for his roles in “Risky Business” and “The Breakfast Club,” died on Oct 5. He was 87.

The cause of death is unknown. Dean’s partner, Maggie Neff, announced the news.

“He passed at exactly 4pm, after his beloved sisters had said their goodbyes,” said Neff. “He hung on like a warrior to say goodbye to his little sisters. Then we were alone, and in my arms, I held his hand, and he trusted me when I told him that it was alright to let go. What an honor!“

Born in Chicago, Dean began his career by playing cops and military officials. One of his earliest roles was in “Risky Business,” where he appeared alongside Tom Cruise. Dean also appeared in “The Package” with Tommy Lee Jones and Gene Hackman, and worked alongside William Shatner in “T.J. Hooker.” Dean also had a role in John Hughes’ “The Breakfast Club,” portraying Andy (Emilio Estevez)’s father, and appeared in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight.”

Dean was a frequent collaborator with director Andrew Davis. He starred in several of his films, including “Code of Silence,” “Above the Law,” “Steal Big Steal Little,” “Chain Reaction” and “The Guardian.”

Dean appeared in various television roles on series such as “Murder, She Wrote,” “Frasier,” “ER,” “Chicago Hope,” “NYPD Blue,” “The West Wing,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Without a Trace,” “Numb3rs,” “Cold Case” and “Still Standing.”

Dean was nominated for a 1996 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Supporting Role for “Supple in Combat” with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He frequented Chicago-based stage productions, such as the Goodman Theatre’s 1982 production of David Mamet’s “Lakeboat.”