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Cape Town – Award-winning actor Ron Leibman has died. He was 82 years old.
According to CNN, his agent confirmed the news in a statement saying, "We at Abrams Artists Agency are saddened to hear the news of Ron's passing. Ron was an incredibly talented actor with a distinguished career in film, TV and theatre. Our thoughts go out to his wife, Jessica (Walter), and his family."
Leibman died on Friday night. The cause of death was pneumonia.
According to Forbes, Leibman, born in 1937, made his film debut in the dark comedy Where's Poppa? in 1970 before featuring opposite Robert Redford in The Hot Rock in 1972. But his role in Norma Rae (1979) alongside Sally Field is of his most notable work.
Younger audiences will also remember him from the sitcom Friends, where he played Dr Leonard Green, father to Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston).
(Ron Leibman stars alongside Sally Field in Norman Rae. Photo: Getty Images)
An acclaimed actor, Leibman won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Kaz, a show he co-created, in 1982. He also won a Tony for his performance in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Angels in America.
Ron is survived by his children and wife of 35 years, actress Jessica Walter.
Sally Field paid tribute to the actor on Twitter, saying, "So many of the best memories of my career, have Ron Leibman in them. Thank you, Ron. For being my champion. Rest, my friend."
Compiled by Bashiera Parker (Sources: CNN, Forbes, Twitter)
(Photos: Getty Images)
