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{{short description|American actor}}

{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
|name = Ron Vawter |name = Ron Vawter
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|caption = |caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date|1948|12|9}} |birth_date = {{birth date|1948|12|9}}
|birth_place = ] |birth_place = ], US
|death_date = {{death date and age|1994|4|16|1948|12|9|}} |death_date = {{death date and age|1994|4|16|1948|12|9|}}
|death_place = On a plane from ] to ] |death_place = On a plane from ] to ]
}} }}
'''Ron Vawter''' (December 9, 1948 – April 16, 1994) was an American actor and a founding member of the ] company ]. Vawter performed in most of the group's works until his death from a ] in 1994 at the age of 45.<ref name=varietyobit>{{cite web |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR120301.html?categoryid=25&cs=1 |title=Ron Vawter |work=] |date=1994-04-19 |accessdate=2007-07-17}}</ref> '''Ron Vawter''' (December 9, 1948 – April 16, 1994) was an American actor and a founding member of the ] company ]. Vawter performed in most of the group's works until his death from a ] in 1994 at the age of 45.<ref name=varietyobit>{{cite web |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR120301.html?categoryid=25&cs=1 |title=Ron Vawter |work=] |date=1994-04-19 |accessdate=2007-07-17}}</ref>


==Life and career== ==Life and career==
Vawter was born in ], to Matilda (Buttoni) and Elton Lee Vawter.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/18/obituaries/ron-vawter-actor-dies-at-45-known-for-avant-garde-roles.html</ref> His maternal grandparents were Italian.<ref>http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=63013830</ref> He originated roles in ''Rumstick Road, Nayatt School, Point Judith (an epilog), Route 1 & 9, Hula, L.S.D. (...Just the High Points...), Frank Dell's The Temptation of Saint Antony, North Atlantic, ''and'' Brace Up!''. He appeared on video in ''Fish Story'', and in the Group's video pieces ''White Homeland Commando ''and'' Flaubert Dreams of Travel but the Illness of His Mother Prevents It''. Vawter was born in ], to Matilda (Buttoni) and Elton Lee Vawter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/18/obituaries/ron-vawter-actor-dies-at-45-known-for-avant-garde-roles.html|title = Ron Vawter, Actor, Dies at 45; Known for Avant-Garde Roles|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 18 April 1994|last1 = Pace|first1 = Eric}}</ref> As a founding member of ], directed by Elizabeth LeCompte at the Performing Garage in downtown New York, Vawter originated roles in ''Rumstick Road, Nayatt School, Point Judith (an epilog), Route 1 & 9, Hula, L.S.D. (...Just the High Points...), Frank Dell's The Temptation of Saint Antony, North Atlantic, ''and'' Brace Up!''. He appeared on video in ''Fish Story'', and in the Group's video pieces ''White Homeland Commando ''and'' Flaubert Dreams of Travel but the Illness of His Mother Prevents It''.


Vawter was a member of The Performance Group -- from which The Wooster Group emerged in 1980. With The Performance Group Vawter performed in 'Mother Courage and Her Children' (Bertolt Brecht), 'The Marilyn Project' (David Gaard), 'Cops' (Terry Curtis Fox), and 'The Balcony' (Jean Genet) -- all directed by Richard Schechner at The Performing Garage or its companion theatre, The Envelope. Vawter was a member of ], from which The Wooster Group emerged in 1980. With The Performance Group, Vawter performed in ''Mother Courage and Her Children'' (Bertolt Brecht), ''The Marilyn Project'' (David Gaard), ''Cops'' (Terry Curtis Fox), and ''The Balcony'' (Jean Genet) -- all directed by Richard Schechner.
In addition to his work with ], Vawter appeared in films, including ''King Blank'', '']'', '']'' and '']'', generally playing small but memorable ]s.<ref name=imdb>{{IMDb name |id=0891381 |name=Ron Vawter}}</ref> He also performed in theatre pieces by Richard Foreman, Jeff Weiss, Mabou Mines, and ]. In addition to his work over 15 years at the Performing Garage, Vawter appeared in films, including ''King Blank'', '']'', '']'', and '']'', generally playing ]s.<ref name=imdb>{{IMDb name |id=0891381 |name=Ron Vawter}}</ref> He also performed in theatre pieces by Richard Foreman, Jeff Weiss, and Mabou Mines.


In his 1992 work for the stage, Vawter explored the themes of ] in '']/]'', a series of two monologues that contrast the characters of two ] men who died of ].<ref name=varietyobit /> Vawter explored themes of ] in his 1992 work for the stage, '']/]'', two linked monologues that contrast the characters of two ] men who died of ].<ref name=varietyobit />
The Jack Smith section was a recreation of Smith's performance "What's Underground About Marshmallows?" and the Roy Cohn section was written by ].<ref>{{Cite news The Jack Smith section was a re-creation of Smith's performance "What's Underground About Marshmallows?," and the Roy Cohn section was written by ].<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Holden | last = Holden
| first = Stephen | first = Stephen
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| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/03/theater/theater-two-strangers-meet-through-an-actor.html}} | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/03/theater/theater-two-strangers-meet-through-an-actor.html}}
</ref> </ref>
It was directed by Greg Mehrten and created with ] and ] It was directed by Greg Mehrten and created with ] and ]. The piece was released as a film directed by Jill Godmilow in which the sections were intercut.<ref>{{Cite news
. The piece was released as a film directed by Jill Godmilow in which the sections were intercut.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Holden | last = Holden
| first = Stephen | first = Stephen
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</ref> </ref>


Vawter's last piece of work, considered his artistic testament, the '''Philoktetes-variations''' written by ] on his request, was performed while the actor was dying of ]. Vawter's last piece of work was considered his artistic testament: the ''Philoktetes-variations,'' written by ] on Vatwer's request, and performed while the actor was dying of ]. Based on the story about ]—the ancient Greek warrior whose wound smelled so intolerably noxious that he was banished to the uninhabited island of Lemnos and abandoned by his comrades-in-arms on the way to Troy—it has consequently also become a metaphor for ], with Philoktetes as a plagued outcast.


⚫ In director Jan Ritsema's triptych at the Brussels Kaaitheater in 1994, Vawter embodied Philoktetes in three forms, using his own body naked and covered with purple ]. Through his visible being, he illuminated the connection between the performance's "here and now" and the story's "there and then," as well as between life and death, subject and object—as in his first audience address, when Vawter said that he was suffering from AIDS: "I am dying; I am on my way to the grave but am just doing this performance on the way."
Based on the story about ], the ancient Greek warrior whose wound smelled so intolerably noxious that he was banned to the uninhabited island of Lemnos and abandoned by his comrades-in-arms on the way to Troy, it has consequently also become a metaphor for ], with Philoktetes as a plagued outcast.


⚫ Vawter was a graduate of ], where he performed in Little Theater productions. Vawter died of a heart attack on April 16, 1994, in-flight on a commercial plane from Zürich to New York. He was 45.
⚫ Vawter embodied Philoktetes three times in Jan Ritsema's triptych in the ]' Kaaitheater in 1994, using his own body naked and covered with purple ], thus making the connection between the performance's "here and now" and the story's "there and then" as well as between life and death, subject and object in his first audience address when he said that he was suffering from AIDS: ''I am dying, I am on my way to the grave but am just doing this performance on the way''.


⚫ Ron Vawter's papers are held by the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Guide to the Ron Vawter Papers |url=http://www.nypl.org/research/manuscripts/the/thevawte.xml |year=2002 |publisher=New York Public Library |accessdate=5 August 2009}}</ref>
⚫ Vawter was a graduate of ] where he performed in Little Theater productions. Vawter died of a heart attack on April 16, 1994, in-flight on a commercial plane from Zürich to New York. He was 45.


==Filmography==
⚫ Vawter's papers are held by the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Guide to the Ron Vawter Papers |url=http://www.nypl.org/research/manuscripts/the/thevawte.xml |year=2002 |publisher=New York Public Library |accessdate=5 August 2009}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"

|-
==Selected filmography==
! Year
⚫ *'']'' (1977) - Businessman (uncredited)
! Title
⚫ *''Minus Zero'' (1979) - Freud
! Role
*''Strong Medicine'' (1981) - Max
! Notes
*'']'' (1983) - FBI Agent
|-
⚫ *''King Blank'' (1983) - King Blank
⚫ |1977|| '']'' || Businessman || Uncredited
⚫ *'']'' (1989) - Therapist
|-
⚫ *'']'' (1989) - Man in Bar
⚫ |1979|| ''Minus Zero'' || Freud ||
⚫ *'']'' (1989) - Jamie Latrobe
|-
⚫ *'']'' (1990) - Jaegar
*'']'' (1991) - Paul Krendler |1981|| '']'' || Max ||
|-
⚫ *''The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez'' (1991) - Dr. Ramirez
*'']'' (1991) - Winston |1983|| '']'' || FBI Agent ||
|-
⚫ *'']'' (1992) - State's Attorney Crowe
⚫ |1983|| ''King Blank'' || King Blank ||
⚫ *'']'' (1993) - Mr. Desot - Hotel Manager (uncredited)
|-
⚫ *'']'' (1993) - Bob Seidman
⚫ |1989|| '']'' || Therapist ||
⚫ *''Roy Cohn/Jack Smith'' (1994) - Roy Cohn / Jack Smith
|-
⚫ *''Fresh Kill'' (1994) - (final film role)
⚫ |1989|| '']'' || Man in Bar ||
|-
⚫ |1989|| '']'' || Jamie Latrobe ||
|-
⚫ |1990|| '']'' || Jaegar ||
|-
|1991|| '']'' || Paul Krendler ||
|-
⚫ |1991|| '']'' || Dr. Ramirez ||
|-
|1991|| '']'' || Winston ||
|-
⚫ |1992|| '']'' || State's Attorney Crowe ||
|-
⚫ |1993|| '']'' || Mr. Desot - Hotel Manager || Uncredited
|-
⚫ |1993|| '']'' || Bob Seidman ||
|-
⚫ |1994|| ''Roy Cohn/Jack Smith'' || Roy Cohn / Jack Smith ||
|-
⚫ |1994|| ''Fresh Kill'' || || (final film role)
|}


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0891381}} *{{IMDb name|0891381}}
*{{Find a Grave|63013830}}
* , held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, ] * , held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, ]


{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vawter, Ron}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Vawter, Ron}}
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Latest revision as of 03:24, 24 September 2024

American actor
Ron Vawter
Born(1948-12-09)December 9, 1948
Latham, New York, US
DiedApril 16, 1994(1994-04-16) (aged 45)
On a plane from Zürich to New York City

Ron Vawter (December 9, 1948 – April 16, 1994) was an American actor and a founding member of the experimental theater company The Wooster Group. Vawter performed in most of the group's works until his death from a heart attack in 1994 at the age of 45.

Life and career

Vawter was born in Latham, New York, to Matilda (Buttoni) and Elton Lee Vawter. As a founding member of The Wooster Group, directed by Elizabeth LeCompte at the Performing Garage in downtown New York, Vawter originated roles in Rumstick Road, Nayatt School, Point Judith (an epilog), Route 1 & 9, Hula, L.S.D. (...Just the High Points...), Frank Dell's The Temptation of Saint Antony, North Atlantic, and Brace Up!. He appeared on video in Fish Story, and in the Group's video pieces White Homeland Commando and Flaubert Dreams of Travel but the Illness of His Mother Prevents It.

Vawter was a member of The Performance Group, from which The Wooster Group emerged in 1980. With The Performance Group, Vawter performed in Mother Courage and Her Children (Bertolt Brecht), The Marilyn Project (David Gaard), Cops (Terry Curtis Fox), and The Balcony (Jean Genet) -- all directed by Richard Schechner.

In addition to his work over 15 years at the Performing Garage, Vawter appeared in films, including King Blank, Philadelphia, The Silence of the Lambs, and Sex, Lies, and Videotape, generally playing character roles. He also performed in theatre pieces by Richard Foreman, Jeff Weiss, and Mabou Mines.

Vawter explored themes of sexual identity in his 1992 work for the stage, Roy Cohn/Jack Smith, two linked monologues that contrast the characters of two gay men who died of AIDS. The Jack Smith section was a re-creation of Smith's performance "What's Underground About Marshmallows?," and the Roy Cohn section was written by Gary Indiana. It was directed by Greg Mehrten and created with Clay Shirky and Marianne Weems. The piece was released as a film directed by Jill Godmilow in which the sections were intercut.

Vawter's last piece of work was considered his artistic testament: the Philoktetes-variations, written by John Jesurun on Vatwer's request, and performed while the actor was dying of HIV/AIDS. Based on the story about Philoctetes—the ancient Greek warrior whose wound smelled so intolerably noxious that he was banished to the uninhabited island of Lemnos and abandoned by his comrades-in-arms on the way to Troy—it has consequently also become a metaphor for AIDS, with Philoktetes as a plagued outcast.

In director Jan Ritsema's triptych at the Brussels Kaaitheater in 1994, Vawter embodied Philoktetes in three forms, using his own body naked and covered with purple Kaposi rash. Through his visible being, he illuminated the connection between the performance's "here and now" and the story's "there and then," as well as between life and death, subject and object—as in his first audience address, when Vawter said that he was suffering from AIDS: "I am dying; I am on my way to the grave but am just doing this performance on the way."

Vawter was a graduate of Siena College, where he performed in Little Theater productions. Vawter died of a heart attack on April 16, 1994, in-flight on a commercial plane from Zürich to New York. He was 45.

Ron Vawter's papers are held by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1977 Sudden Death Businessman Uncredited
1979 Minus Zero Freud
1981 Strong Medicine Max
1983 Born in Flames FBI Agent
1983 King Blank King Blank
1989 Sex, Lies, and Videotape Therapist
1989 Twister Man in Bar
1989 Fat Man and Little Boy Jamie Latrobe
1990 Internal Affairs Jaegar
1991 The Silence of the Lambs Paul Krendler
1991 The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez Dr. Ramirez
1991 Johnny Suede Winston
1992 Swoon State's Attorney Crowe
1993 King of the Hill Mr. Desot - Hotel Manager Uncredited
1993 Philadelphia Bob Seidman
1994 Roy Cohn/Jack Smith Roy Cohn / Jack Smith
1994 Fresh Kill (final film role)

References

  1. ^ "Ron Vawter". Variety. 1994-04-19. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
  2. Pace, Eric (18 April 1994). "Ron Vawter, Actor, Dies at 45; Known for Avant-Garde Roles". The New York Times.
  3. Ron Vawter at IMDb
  4. Holden, Stephen (1992-05-03). "Two Strangers Meet Through an Actor". New York Times.
  5. Holden, Stephen (1995-08-04). "2 Extremes of Gay Life". New York Times.
  6. "Guide to the Ron Vawter Papers". New York Public Library. 2002. Retrieved 5 August 2009.

External links

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