About Ron Shedd
Ron was born in Wyandotte, Michigan. He competed a degree in English at Eastern Michigan University. He was trained as a teacher, but after being held up at a gas station where he worked, shortly before graduation, he became interested in law enforcement.
On a whim, he applied to be a Federal Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. They "called my bluff" and he found himself kicking over stills and sitting on all night stakeouts in downtown Detroit. Finding the job to be "nothing like the movies", he jumped at an invitation from his sister (Anne Commire) to join her in New York City, to collaborate on writing projects.
He, his wife and young son, traveled to the big city without a job waiting. Ron worked in both retail and hotel security, resulting in management positions on the site level (Plaza hotel, St. Regis) and corporate level (Loews), where he oversaw six properties. Ron was deputized as a New York Special Patrolman, and chased bad guys by day, and wrote by night. Represented by the William Morris Agency, both he and his sister enjoyed some success writing for CBS (Dick Cavett's Summer Variety Show), and their long running soap opera, Love of Life. There were also several stage reviews and TV development deals. The long hours caused Ron to be away from home which took a toll on the family. He decided to return to Michigan, settling in the northern town (Alpena) where his in-laws resided.
On a whim, Ron stumbled into the local radio station and ended up with a part time DJ job that soon resulted in a full time, prime time slot. After an extra role in Die Hard 2 (1990), Ron was featured in several local TV spots and theatre. During this time, a beautiful daughter was born, who inspired Ron to do more with his life. After 10 years in radio, he realized that he was not using his degree and that there was not much of a future in broadcasting, unless he returned to the big city, which he did not want to do.
Ron started working part time at the local Community Mental Health, providing direct care to residents in their transition homes (while still at the radio station). Enjoying this work, he quit radio to work as a full time counselor at a Boysville group home. While there (10 years), he worked on his graduate degree (MSW) at Michigan State University. After completing his Masters, he became manager of the non-secure detention program and then ultimately left Boysville for a psychotherapist position at Catholic Human Services. After more than ten years providing individual therapy to clients with various issues, mostly involving substance abuse, he chose to retire to pursue an interest in acting.
The thirst to perform was always on the "back burner" throughout his life. As you can see by his resume, he has been quite busy in the last couple years, despite the handicap of living in northern Michigan, far from the film community in larger downstate cities. Ron seems to be cast in bad/tough guy roles and many say his intimidating presence and voice are unique.
On a whim, he applied to be a Federal Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. They "called my bluff" and he found himself kicking over stills and sitting on all night stakeouts in downtown Detroit. Finding the job to be "nothing like the movies", he jumped at an invitation from his sister (Anne Commire) to join her in New York City, to collaborate on writing projects.
He, his wife and young son, traveled to the big city without a job waiting. Ron worked in both retail and hotel security, resulting in management positions on the site level (Plaza hotel, St. Regis) and corporate level (Loews), where he oversaw six properties. Ron was deputized as a New York Special Patrolman, and chased bad guys by day, and wrote by night. Represented by the William Morris Agency, both he and his sister enjoyed some success writing for CBS (Dick Cavett's Summer Variety Show), and their long running soap opera, Love of Life. There were also several stage reviews and TV development deals. The long hours caused Ron to be away from home which took a toll on the family. He decided to return to Michigan, settling in the northern town (Alpena) where his in-laws resided.
On a whim, Ron stumbled into the local radio station and ended up with a part time DJ job that soon resulted in a full time, prime time slot. After an extra role in Die Hard 2 (1990), Ron was featured in several local TV spots and theatre. During this time, a beautiful daughter was born, who inspired Ron to do more with his life. After 10 years in radio, he realized that he was not using his degree and that there was not much of a future in broadcasting, unless he returned to the big city, which he did not want to do.
Ron started working part time at the local Community Mental Health, providing direct care to residents in their transition homes (while still at the radio station). Enjoying this work, he quit radio to work as a full time counselor at a Boysville group home. While there (10 years), he worked on his graduate degree (MSW) at Michigan State University. After completing his Masters, he became manager of the non-secure detention program and then ultimately left Boysville for a psychotherapist position at Catholic Human Services. After more than ten years providing individual therapy to clients with various issues, mostly involving substance abuse, he chose to retire to pursue an interest in acting.
The thirst to perform was always on the "back burner" throughout his life. As you can see by his resume, he has been quite busy in the last couple years, despite the handicap of living in northern Michigan, far from the film community in larger downstate cities. Ron seems to be cast in bad/tough guy roles and many say his intimidating presence and voice are unique.
A Word from Ron Shedd
It's a little more work at this stage of my life - planting the seeds for a new career.
We all have unfulfilled dreams with which we struggle. However, to not have even tried, is something I cannot understand. I have no unrealistic expectations...the reality is, I will most likely only have opportunities in low budget projects, which have a lottery's chance of going anywhere. But, I will have satisfied my curiosity regarding my potential in this field. And, along the way, will have wonderful, exciting experiences surrounded by younger, dedicated, fun-loving creative types.
This ride has already been an amazing gift, I never thought possible.
It really is never too late to pursue a dream.
We all have unfulfilled dreams with which we struggle. However, to not have even tried, is something I cannot understand. I have no unrealistic expectations...the reality is, I will most likely only have opportunities in low budget projects, which have a lottery's chance of going anywhere. But, I will have satisfied my curiosity regarding my potential in this field. And, along the way, will have wonderful, exciting experiences surrounded by younger, dedicated, fun-loving creative types.
This ride has already been an amazing gift, I never thought possible.
It really is never too late to pursue a dream.