Ron Dean, Star of ‘Risky Business’
Passes Away at Age 87
Published October 8, 2025 3:48 PM PDT
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Updated October 8, 2025 6:33 PM PDT
Ron Dean, acclaimed for his performances in “Risky Business” and “The Breakfast Club,” has passed away.
The beloved actor died on a Sunday at a hospital in Chicago, as confirmed by Maggie Neff, his partner for four decades.
While the exact cause of death remains unspecified, Maggie shared that Ron had been enduring a prolonged illness.
She told TMZ, “He passed at precisely 4 PM after saying goodbye to his cherished sisters. He fought like a warrior to bid farewell to them. Afterward, just the two of us were left, and as I held his hand, I reassured him that it was okay to let go. It was such an honor!”
Ron frequently portrayed law enforcement characters, with one of his notable early roles being in “Risky Business,” alongside Tom Cruise. He also shared the screen with William Shatner in “T.J. Hooker,” and appeared in “The Package” with Gene Hackman and Tommy Lee Jones.
He also portrayed Emilio Estevez‘s father in “The Breakfast Club” and was cast by Christopher Nolan in “The Dark Knight.”
Ron’s television appearances include roles in “NYPD Blue,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “ER,” “Chicago Hope,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Cold Case,” “Frasier,” “Without a Trace,” “The West Wing,” “Still Standing,” and “Numb3rs.”
He was 87 years old.
Rest in Peace
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