Burly-looking, gruff and portly Greek-American character actor. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, to Constantine and Antoinette Karabatsos, Ron graduated from Emerson High School in 1951 and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning from Korea, he joined the Union City Police Department and retired in 1983 as a Homicide Detective after 28 years of service.
Ron also was a professional wrestler in the 1950s known as "The Golden Greek," a foreman at a General Motors plant before joining the Union City Police Dept., and, while still a policeman, Ron was approached to be in the movie "Prince of the City", in which he appeared with the film's star, actor Treat Williams. After his retirement, he moved to California to further pursue acting opportunities.
In a 23 year film and television acting career, Ron appeared in a total of 31 movies and over 200 television series, playing a plethora of blue-collar, working-class types, ranging from police officers and delicatessen owners to barflys and wiseguys, and appearing on such popular shows as "Cheers", "Cagney & Lacey", "Hill Street Blues", "Riptide", "Murder She Wrote", "Jake and The Fatman", "Who's The Boss, "The Wayans Bros.", "Step by Step", and "Chicago Hope". He also appeared in such films as "Prince of the City", his first film appearance, "Flashdance" and the 1995 blockbuster film "Get Shorty".
Ron died in Beaumont, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Ronald, and his brother Vincent. He was survived by his wife Janell, daughter Dawnne Rigsby and her husband Edward; sister Joyce Vina; daughter-in-law Jolores Karabat-sos; granddaughter Melanie Till and her husband Jeff; and two great-granddaughters, Aeris and Freya.
He also left behind his step family in California; three chil-dren, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A celebration of his life and acting career was held in Beaumont, California. A a private memorial services was also held at a later date in New Jersey.
Ron also was a professional wrestler in the 1950s known as "The Golden Greek," a foreman at a General Motors plant before joining the Union City Police Dept., and, while still a policeman, Ron was approached to be in the movie "Prince of the City", in which he appeared with the film's star, actor Treat Williams. After his retirement, he moved to California to further pursue acting opportunities.
In a 23 year film and television acting career, Ron appeared in a total of 31 movies and over 200 television series, playing a plethora of blue-collar, working-class types, ranging from police officers and delicatessen owners to barflys and wiseguys, and appearing on such popular shows as "Cheers", "Cagney & Lacey", "Hill Street Blues", "Riptide", "Murder She Wrote", "Jake and The Fatman", "Who's The Boss, "The Wayans Bros.", "Step by Step", and "Chicago Hope". He also appeared in such films as "Prince of the City", his first film appearance, "Flashdance" and the 1995 blockbuster film "Get Shorty".
Ron died in Beaumont, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Ronald, and his brother Vincent. He was survived by his wife Janell, daughter Dawnne Rigsby and her husband Edward; sister Joyce Vina; daughter-in-law Jolores Karabat-sos; granddaughter Melanie Till and her husband Jeff; and two great-granddaughters, Aeris and Freya.
He also left behind his step family in California; three chil-dren, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A celebration of his life and acting career was held in Beaumont, California. A a private memorial services was also held at a later date in New Jersey.
Burly-looking, gruff and portly Greek-American character actor. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, to Constantine and Antoinette Karabatsos, Ron graduated from Emerson High School in 1951 and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning from Korea, he joined the Union City Police Department and retired in 1983 as a Homicide Detective after 28 years of service.
Ron also was a professional wrestler in the 1950s known as "The Golden Greek," a foreman at a General Motors plant before joining the Union City Police Dept., and, while still a policeman, Ron was approached to be in the movie "Prince of the City", in which he appeared with the film's star, actor Treat Williams. After his retirement, he moved to California to further pursue acting opportunities.
In a 23 year film and television acting career, Ron appeared in a total of 31 movies and over 200 television series, playing a plethora of blue-collar, working-class types, ranging from police officers and delicatessen owners to barflys and wiseguys, and appearing on such popular shows as "Cheers", "Cagney & Lacey", "Hill Street Blues", "Riptide", "Murder She Wrote", "Jake and The Fatman", "Who's The Boss, "The Wayans Bros.", "Step by Step", and "Chicago Hope". He also appeared in such films as "Prince of the City", his first film appearance, "Flashdance" and the 1995 blockbuster film "Get Shorty".
Ron died in Beaumont, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Ronald, and his brother Vincent. He was survived by his wife Janell, daughter Dawnne Rigsby and her husband Edward; sister Joyce Vina; daughter-in-law Jolores Karabat-sos; granddaughter Melanie Till and her husband Jeff; and two great-granddaughters, Aeris and Freya.
He also left behind his step family in California; three chil-dren, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A celebration of his life and acting career was held in Beaumont, California. A a private memorial services was also held at a later date in New Jersey.
Ron also was a professional wrestler in the 1950s known as "The Golden Greek," a foreman at a General Motors plant before joining the Union City Police Dept., and, while still a policeman, Ron was approached to be in the movie "Prince of the City", in which he appeared with the film's star, actor Treat Williams. After his retirement, he moved to California to further pursue acting opportunities.
In a 23 year film and television acting career, Ron appeared in a total of 31 movies and over 200 television series, playing a plethora of blue-collar, working-class types, ranging from police officers and delicatessen owners to barflys and wiseguys, and appearing on such popular shows as "Cheers", "Cagney & Lacey", "Hill Street Blues", "Riptide", "Murder She Wrote", "Jake and The Fatman", "Who's The Boss, "The Wayans Bros.", "Step by Step", and "Chicago Hope". He also appeared in such films as "Prince of the City", his first film appearance, "Flashdance" and the 1995 blockbuster film "Get Shorty".
Ron died in Beaumont, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Ronald, and his brother Vincent. He was survived by his wife Janell, daughter Dawnne Rigsby and her husband Edward; sister Joyce Vina; daughter-in-law Jolores Karabat-sos; granddaughter Melanie Till and her husband Jeff; and two great-granddaughters, Aeris and Freya.
He also left behind his step family in California; three chil-dren, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A celebration of his life and acting career was held in Beaumont, California. A a private memorial services was also held at a later date in New Jersey.
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