Ron O'Neal

Ron O'Neal, born on September 1, 1937, in Utica, New York, was a prominent American actor, director, and screenwriter. He is best known for his iconic performance as Youngblood Priest in the influential blaxploitation classic, Super Fly. Additionally, he portrayed Colonel Bella, a memorable anti-villain, in the 1984 film Red Dawn. O'Neal also had notable roles on television, including a recurring part as Synclaire's father on Living Single and as Whitley Gilbert's father on A Different World. He appeared as a regular in the 1982 adventure series Bring 'Em Back Alive, co-starring with Bruce Boxleitner as the Sultan of Johore.

Unfortunately, O'Neal passed away from pancreatic cancer on January 14, 2004, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 66. His death coincided with the U.S. release of Super Fly on DVD, a testament to his lasting legacy in the film industry. O'Neal’s contributions to cinema and television left a significant mark, particularly within the realms of blaxploitation and genre films, and his performances continue to resonate with audiences today.