Ron Glass, Star of ‘Barney Miller’ and ‘Firefly,’ Dies at 71
Glass earned an Emmy nomination for his role as Detective Ron Harris on the ’70s sitcom.
Ron Glass, best known for his roles on Barney Miller and Firefly, died on Friday, his rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 71.
The actor’s family has not released any further details surrounding his passing.
Glass made his TV debut in 1973 and appeared in countless series through 2014. He earned a supporting actor Emmy nomination for his role as Detective Ron Harris on the ’70s sitcom Barney Miller, in which he appeared from 1975 to 1982.
He also appeared on All in the Family, Sanford and Son, Hawaii Five-O and later on Joss Whedon’s short-lived Firefly, as well as two episodes of Friends. He played Shepherd Book in Firefly and its 2005 spinoff movie, Serenity, portraying a beloved character who served as the moral compass of the property.
His most recent TV credits include CSI, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Major Crimes.
Glass’ Barney Miller costar Abe Vigoda died earlier this year.
His Hollywood peers and costars, as well as Whedon, were quick to react to the news on Saturday afternoon. See the reactions on social media below.
He got there with grace, humor & enormous heart. He was, among so many other things, my Shepherd. Raise, appropriately, a glass. Rest, Ron. pic.twitter.com/yzPly7TmgE
— Joss Whedon (@joss) November 26, 2016
Ron Glass was also a sassy smart ass and I prize that very much. A leaf on the wind. #ripronglass
— alan tudyk (@AlanTudyk) November 26, 2016
Happy rebirth, dear Ron Glass.
Among the kindest and gentlest souls to have walked this earth with us.https://t.co/rF1bDPxeRa
— Adam Baldwin (@AdamBaldwin) November 26, 2016
Ron Glass. What an honor it was to know you, to work beside you and to have called you my friend. You will be missed. I love you sir.
— Sean Maher (@Sean_M_Maher) November 26, 2016
I hope Ron Glass is somewhere, enjoying a horrible cup of coffee with Jack Soo. #RIPRonGlass
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) November 26, 2016
This has been a goddamn terrible year. Farewell, Ron Glass. Leaf on the wind. pic.twitter.com/KL1Wmh73WE
— Chloe Dykstra (@skydart) November 26, 2016
If you can’t do something smart, do something right.
RIP Ron Glass
— Ashly Burch (@ashly_burch) November 26, 2016
It happens in threes.. Rip Ron Glass, Emmy-Nominated Actor Known for ‘Barney Miller’ and ‘Firefly,’ Dies at 71 https://t.co/tnnpQ5tN4Y
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) November 26, 2016
Shocked & Saddened! We just lost another AMAZING person. R.I.P. Ron Glass
— Greg Grunberg (@greggrunberg) November 26, 2016
This is me acting like an idiot just so I could hear Ron Glass laugh.
He was the kind of person… https://t.co/2ioYNHMBzz— Jewel Staite (@JewelStaite) November 26, 2016
Ron Glass Dead – ‘Barney Miller’ Star Dies at 71 : We lost another one I stole his identity in the movie houseguest https://t.co/4Z9LmC6fTa
— Sinbad (@sinbadbad) November 26, 2016
It was an Honor & a Pleasure to work with the Amazing Ron Glass! RIP, Sir!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) November 26, 2016
Goodnight, sweet Ron….
“Emmy-nominated actor Ron Glass is dead at 71”https://t.co/arBPOlGzfM
— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) November 26, 2016
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ron-glass-dead-barney-miller-firefly-actor-was-71-950555