Ron Eldard

Ronald Jason "Ron" Eldard (born February 20, 1965) is an American actor. Eldard, the second youngest of seven children (4 sisters and 2 brothers), was born on Long Island, New York. Eldard's mother died in a car accident when he was a child, and Eldard and his siblings were sent to live with various family members. He attended grade school in Utah while living with his aunt and uncle. At age 13, Ron moved to Ridgewood, Queens to live with his sister Lana and her husband. Eldard attended JHS 93 annex in the 7th grade and then JHS 93 in the 8th and 9th grades. He worked at a local fast food restaurant called Chicken Galore where he often wore the "Chicken Suit" mascot costume. He was locally known, by friends & co-workers, for copying the performances of Steve Martin and Robin Williams, and would perform various skits when given the opportunity. Eldard is a former Golden Gloves boxer. Eldard graduated from the New York High School for the Performing Arts' Drama Department. He also performed street magic in Manhattan. Eldard made his film debut in the 1989 comedy True Love, written and directed by Nancy Savoca, and co-starring Annabella Sciorra. This film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Eldard has performed on Broadway in critically acclaimed productions of On the Waterfront, Biloxi Blues, Bash: Latterday Plays, and Death of a Salesman. The latter two were filmed for Showtime productions. --- Eldard met Julianna Margulies in an acting class in 1991, and they developed a close relationship. She was a principal actor on ER from its first season, and for the second (1995-'96) season and an episode longer, he was a frequently recurring character (often playing opposite her) as the paramedic Shep. He was billed just below her in Ghost Ship in 2002. That relationship ended in 2003.