Ron McLarty

Ronald William McLarty (April 26, 1947 – February 8, 2020) was an American actor, playwright, and novelist. He also worked as an audiobook narrator, in which role he recorded over 100 titles and received many Audie Awards.

McLarty appeared in numerous television series, films and stage productions. He also wrote dozens of plays and 10 novels, notably The Memory of Running (2004).

Career McLarty began his career in theatre during the early 1970s with one of his earliest professional performances being the role of Lucky in Michael Weller's Moonchildren for the play's American premiere at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. in November 1971. McLarty continued with the production when it moved to Broadway in 1972.

McLarty also co-starred on Spenser: For Hire, as Boston homicide detective Sgt. Frank Belson.

Although he enjoyed a successful career as an actor, he had not had much luck finding a publisher for his novel The Memory of Running, until Stephen King happened upon an audiobook version, narrated by McLarty, and praised it as "the best book you can't read". This led to the book's publication by Viking Press, and its rapid rise to bestseller status. McLarty was an accomplished narrator: besides Running, he provided narration for a number of audiobooks, including Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and the unabridged audiobook Decision Points by George W. Bush (the abridged version is narrated by the former president himself).

A graduate of Rhode Island College, class of 1969, McLarty was commencement speaker and received a Doctor of Humanities degree from RIC in 2007.

Death McLarty died on February 8, 2020, at 72 years old, having lived with dementia since 2014. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and seven grandchildren.

Novels Mislaid. Lulu Publishing Services, 2020, softcover , ebook The Dropper. New York: Random House, Books on Tape, 2009 (audiobook), The Dropper was scheduled to be released as a Trade Hardcover and Signed Limited Edition by Cemetery Dance Publications in Spring 2012. Art in America. New York: Viking Press, 2008, Traveler. New York: Viking Press, 2007, The Memory of Running. New York: Viking Press, 2004,

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1977 The Sentinel Real Estate Agent 1978 Bloodbrothers Mac 1982 Vigilante Doctor Uncredited 1983 Touched George 1983 Daniel Prison Guard 1983 Enormous Changes at the Last Minute John Raferty 1984 The Flamingo Kid Pat McCarty 1986 Heartburn Detective O'Brien 1989 The Feud Dolf Beeler 1995 Two Bits Irish Man 1997 The Postman Old George 2010 How Do You Know George's Lawyer 2014 St. Vincent Principal O'Brien (final film role)

Television Year Title Role Notes 1979 The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree Papa Bear/Narrator Voice, Television specials 1980 The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw 1981 The Berenstain Bears' Easter Surprise 1982 The Berenstain Bears' Comic Valentine 1983 The Berenstain Bears Play Ball 1983 Tiger Town Buddy TV movie 1985–1988 Spenser: For Hire Sgt. Frank Belson 65 episodes 1987 The Father Clements Story O'Hare TV movie 1990 Cop Rock Detective Lieutenant Ralph Ruskin 12 episodes 1991 A Little Piece of Heaven Agent Mr. Jack Daniels TV movie 1991–2008 Law & Order Scoler/Judge William Wright 7 episodes 1996 Champs Coach Harris 12 episodes 2000 Sex and the City Dr. Talley Episode: "Hot Child in the City" 2000–2002 Courage the Cowardly DogThe General / Police / Additional voices Voice, 39 episodes 2005 Law & Order: Trial by Jury Judge William Wright Episode: "Truth or Consequences" 2005 Trump Unauthorized Fred Trump TV movie 2005 Into the Fire Walter Hartwig Sr. TV movie 2006 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Judge Joseph Malloy Episode: "Infected" 2008 The Return of Jezebel James Ronald Tompkins 7 episodes (3 aired episodes) 2013 Person of Interest Lou Mitchell Episode: "All In"

Videogames Year Title Role Notes 2003 Batman: Dark Tomorrow Commissioner James Gordon

Audiobooks A partial list:

McLarty and Cassidy also narrated books 2 and 3 in the John Puller series, The Forgotten and The Escape.