Ron Vawter (December 9, 1948, Latham, New York - April 16, 1994) was a founding member of The Wooster Group after graduating from Siena College in Loudonville, New York.
Vawter performed in most of the group's works until his death from complications due to AIDS in 1994 at the age of 45.
In addition to his work with The Wooster Group, Vawter frequently appeared in films, including Philadelphia, The Silence of the Lambs and Sex, Lies and Videotape, generally playing small but memorable character roles.
In his final work for the stage, Vawter explored the themes of sexual identity in his play Roy Cohn/Jack Smith, a series of two monologues that contrast the characters of two gay men who died of AIDS.
Was suffering from AIDS.
Founding member of the avant-garde theater ensemble, The Wooster Group. (other members include Spalding Gray and Willem Dafoe)
Appeared in two films for Jonathan Demme: The Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia. He also appeared on Miami Vice, which was created by Michael Mann, the director of the first Hannibal Lecter film, Manhunter.
Was one of two Silence of the Lambs, The (1991) cast members to be recast for the sequel Hannibal (2001). Jodie Foster refused to return to her Oscar-winning role, so she was replaced by Julianne Moore (I). Vawter's death required him to be replaced by Ray Liotta.
