Ron Dean, best known for his roles in *Risky Business* and *The Breakfast Club*, has passed away at the age of 87. The actor died at a hospital in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, October 5, his partner, Maggie Neff, told TMZ on Wednesday.
Although the cause of death remains unclear, Neff revealed that Ron had been battling a long illness. He passed away at exactly 4 PM, after his beloved sisters had said their goodbyes. “He hung on like a warrior to say goodbye to his little sisters,” she shared with the outlet. “Then we were alone, and in my arms, I held his hand, and he trusted me when I told him that it was alright to let go.”
Throughout his lengthy acting career, Dean was often cast as law enforcement characters. One of his earliest roles was as a detective in the 1983 film *Risky Business* alongside Tom Cruise. He went on to appear with Cruise in two other films, including *The Color of Money* (1986) and *Cocktail* (1988).
However, the veteran actor was perhaps most popular for his role in the 1985 John Hughes classic *The Breakfast Club*, where he played the father of Emilio Estevez’s character, Andrew Clark.
Dean also appeared alongside William Shatner in an episode of *T. J. Hooker* and acted opposite Gene Hackman and Tommy Lee Jones in the 1989 film *The Package*. He frequently collaborated with director Andrew Davis, known for *The Fugitive*, who cast Dean in seven of his films.
Following the news of Dean’s passing, Davis remembered his dear friend as a tremendous actor in a heartfelt statement to Deadline. “He was the essence of what Chicago talent represented,” the *Under Siege* director shared. “Having a very troubled youth, Ron turned his life around to have a wonderful career as a loving, decent human being and respected talent.”
Neff, who had been with Dean for 40 years, admitted to the outlet how difficult it is to capture what an extraordinary human being Ron was. “One glamorous woman friend of Ron’s once told me that she’d rather grab a hot dog with Ron Dean than have a fancy dinner with some rich bloke,” she recalled. “I have always felt the same way.”
Fans of the late actor flooded social media to pay tribute to the *Beast* star after his passing.
“Seen him in so many films, but *The Dark Knight* is where I think of him the most,” one fan shared.
“R.I.P. Ron Dean 1938–2025,” wrote another.
“RIP Ron Dean. You will be remembered for that role which only you could have done in *The Breakfast Club*. May his soul rest in peace,” commented a third devastated fan.
Ron Dean’s legacy as a beloved character actor and respected figure in the film industry will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/08/entertainment/risky-business-and-breakfast-club-star-ron-dean-dead-at-87/