Bio
Ron Smerczak was a British-born South African actor, writer, director and voice artist who acted in numerous television series including Generations, Isidingo, Justice for All, Villa Rosa, Rhythm City and Strike Back.
Born in the UK, Ron attended the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain from 1965-1970, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art London from 1969-1971 and graduated from the University of Cardiff having spent a year reading geology and physics.
His first acting role was in 1965 in a National Youth Theatre production of Antony and Cleopatra with Helen Mirren at The Old Vic in London. In the early 1970s he appeared in classic British television series like Z Cars and Dixon of Dock Green before emigrating to South Africa in 1974.
Although especially active in theatre he has amassed an extensive television resume, appearing in such production as Jacob's Cross, Snitch and Egoli on M-Net, Villa Rosa on kykNET, Scandal! on e.tv and the SABC productions Hard Copy, 7de Laan, Eeen Skoenlapper, Isidingo, The Villagers, Zero Tolerance and Generations, among many others.
Ron also acted in the classic mini-series Shaka Zulu and Rhodes and has acted in numerous feature films including American Eagle, The Fourth Reich, Amaerican Ninja 4, Kwagga Strikes Back, Cyborg Cop, The Mangler, Cry, the Beloved Country, Glory Glory, Stander, Crazy Monkey Presents Straight Outta Benoni and Finding Lenny.
He also devised, wrote, directed, edited and produced two documentary series for the English film company Peakviewing - Ron On The Road and Ron The Recyclist.
Among his many theatre productions he has appeared in My Fair Lady, King Lear, Skylight, Damsels in Distress, Ching Chong Che, Tree-Boy, Blue/Orange and Molly Sweeny.
His honours diploma from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London allows him to teach and he has often appeared in at public events as a Master of Ceremonies and a guest speaker.
Ron died of a heart attack on 12 May, 2019. He was 69.