Born in Detroit on November 30, 1960, Ron Simons graduated from Columbia College in 1982 with a degree in English and Information Systems. Although he always harbored dreams of acting and even applied to the Yale School of Drama, the practical demands of supporting his family led him to pursue a career in technology. Simons began his professional journey as a software engineer at Hewlett-Packard. After three years, he moved to IntelliCorp as an applications project manager, and in 1989, he joined Microsoft as a product manager. His career in technology was flourishing, but his passion for the arts remained undiminished.
At the age of 39, Simons made the bold decision to leave Microsoft and pursue his dream of acting. He performed with notable theaters like the Cc and Seattle Repertory Theatre. Despite this, he soon realized that the roles available to him were not fulfilling. This realization spurred him to shift his focus to producing, aiming to create impactful work that highlighted underrepresented voices and communities. In 2009, Simons embarked on his producing career, quickly making a significant impact. He won his first Tony Award in 2012 for the revival of “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess.” This was just the beginning; he went on to win three more Tony Awards for productions such as “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” and “Jitney.” “Jitney” was part of his mission to produce projects about underrepresented people, and it was one of the ten plays in August Wilson’s American Century Cycle, which explores the African American experience in the 20th century.
Simons was passionate about promoting diverse voices in the arts. He produced significant works such as “Thoughts of a Colored Man” and “For Colored Girls,” the latter being the first Broadway production to be written, directed, starred in, and led by Black artists. He believed strongly in the importance of giving a platform to these voices, especially those ignored by mainstream entertainment. His success on Broadway extended to the screen with his company, SimonSays, which focused on spotlighting stories from underrepresented communities. SimonSays produced the Sundance Film Festival selection “Gun Hill Road,” which deals with a parolee’s struggles with his son’s transgender life, and “Viva Verdi!,” a documentary about elderly musicians mentoring new talent.
Simons’ production credits also include films like “Night Catches Us,” “Blue Caprice,” and “Mother of George,” as well as plays such as “Hughie,” “The Gin Game,” and an all-Black production of “A Streetcar Named Desire.” His collaborations featured prominent Black actors like Forest Whitaker, Danai Gurira, Leslie Uggams, and Cecily Tyson. In addition to his BA from Columbia College, Simons earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and an MFA from the University of Washington. His acting career included appearances in regional theaters such as the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and minor roles in television and film projects like “27 Dresses,” “Law & Order,” “The Resident,” and “Succession.”
