Ron Zimmerman, a versatile and talented writer, producer, and comedian, passed away on July 28, 2022, after a battle with cancer. He was 64 years old. His death was confirmed by his friends and colleagues on social media, including singer and actress Cher, who had a brief relationship with him in the past. She tweeted, “My friend Ronny died Today. Life is so fragile. Thank god I went to see him Wednesday nite.”
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A Career Spanning Four Decades
Zimmerman had a long and diverse career in the entertainment industry, spanning nearly four decades. He started as a stand-up comedian in the late 1970s and early 1980s, appearing on shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Howard Stern Show. He also acted in a few films and TV shows, such as Friday the 13th Part III and The Brady Bunch Movie.
He later transitioned to writing and producing for various film and TV projects, such as The One, a sci-fi action film starring Jet Li; Shake It Up, a Disney Channel sitcom; and The Michael Richards Show, a short-lived comedy series starring the Seinfeld actor. He also worked on animated shows like The Simpsons and Justice League Unlimited.
A Marvel Comics Writer with a Satirical Edge
Zimmerman’s most notable work, however, was as a writer for Marvel Comics. He joined the company in 2001 after making a hilarious appearance on The Howard Stern Show, where he pitched some comic book ideas to Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada. He went on to write several comic book series and miniseries for Marvel, featuring characters like Spider-Man, The Punisher, Captain Marvel, and more.
One of his most controversial and acclaimed works was The Rawhide Kid, a revival of an old Western character with a twist: he was gay. The series was part of Marvel’s mature readers MAX line and featured a lot of humor and innuendo. Zimmerman said he wanted to “make fun of the stereotypes of both the Western genre and gay people.”
He also created some original characters for Marvel, such as Hawk-Owl and Woody, a superhero duo that starred in the Ultimate Adventures series. The series was a parody of Batman and Robin, with Hawk-Owl being a billionaire vigilante and Woody being his teenage sidekick.
A Legacy of Humor and Creativity
Zimmerman’s death has saddened many fans and colleagues who admired his humor and creativity. He was praised for his ability to write witty dialogue, clever plots, and memorable characters. He was also known for his generosity and kindness to his friends.
He is survived by his family and his beloved dog, Buster. He will be missed by many who enjoyed his work and his personality. Rest in peace, Ron Zimmerman.
