RIP Ron Silver, a Hollywood liberal adored by conservatives

As you can imagine, yesterday's death of Ron Silver from esophageal cancer at 62 is inspiring many conservative encomiums for the liberal actor who full-throatedly embraced the reelection of President George W. Bush in 2004. In a speech to the Republican National Convention, Silver admitted being "a well-recognized liberal," but rapped his colleagues:

I find it ironic that many human rights advocates and outspoken members of my own entertainment community are often on the front lines to protest repression ... but they are usually the first ones to oppose any use of force to take care of these horrors that they catalogue repeatedly.

Under the unwavering leadership of President Bush, the cause of freedom and democracy is being advanced by the courageous men and women serving in our armed services. The president is doing exactly the right thing.

In Hollywood, of course, it's slightly dangerous to veer off the approved ideological path, but Silver's liberal bona fides were unassailable, and he was able to cross party lines without much repercussion.

Here, in an interview with David Frost last October, Silver, who looks slightly ill, talks about his politics, which he describes as solidly liberal.

"I have said things that have angered both parties.... I am socially and economically still a Democrat and always was. If gay people want to get married, God bless them. I try to warn them that along with marriage comes divorce, but they don't listen to me, so good luck. On things like healthcare, I am to the left of most people...."

You may want to check out arts writer Barbara Isenberg's fascinating 1992 Q&A with Silver, posted on the L.A. Times blog the Daily Mirror, here.

-- Robin Abcarian

Register here now for automatic alerts via Twitter on each new Ticket item.

Comments

[Reggie]

Sounds like a very confused man

[Dean B.]

I will miss Ron Silver he was a great actor, union person and director.The stage and screen will be empty with out him.The left will miss him ,however we have missed him for awhile,The right has no idea of his liberal past,I feel sorry for him as he became one of the victims of the 21st century brainwashing surrounding 911,and the Bush ,Cheny propaganda machine.Ron stuck to his guns and choose a side and I admire him for that.