Ron Glass, R.I.P.

Actor Ron Glass has passed away of respiratory failure at the age of 71.

Glass was best known for his portrayal of Detective Ron Harris in Barney Miller. Younger fans are more likely to remember him as Shepherd Book in the cult sci-fi TV series Firefly. Glass would reprise this role in the 2005 film Serenity. Among his final screen credits were appearances on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and CSI.

There are two roles I remember for which I remember Glass fondly. I enjoyed Glass' portrayal of Felix Unger in The New Odd Couple which he co-starred with Desmond Wilson of Sanford & Son fame during the 1982-83 season on ABC. I also remember Glass in an episode of The Twilight Zone opposite Sherman Hemsley where Glass plays a T-shirt wearing devil whose come to collect the soul of a math professor played by Hemsley. You can play this episode in the video above. It is a fine testament to both actors.

Glass becomes the second Barney Miller cast member to pass away in 2016. Abe Vigoda who played Detective Phil Fish died in January at the age of 94.

Although Glass played a suave ladies' man in Detective Harris, he never married in real life. But he lived a happy life as a Buddhist and made others happy with craft. Myself included.