Ron Weaver Dead at 75

Ronald (Ron) Lewis Weaver, supervising producer of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, has passed away.

Weaver was also vice president of BBL Distribution, Inc., the distribution arm of the series' production company, Bell-Phillip Television Productions. He won three Daytime Emmy Awards as a B&B producer.

A native of Michigan, Weaver earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Michigan State University and later studied directing and acting with prestigious teacher Herbert Berghof before entering an extremely diverse career. Early on, he was writer and producer of the Award-winning documentary series EYE ON NEW YORK followed by a 13 year-run in the field of children programming beginning in 1968.

Weaver was director of operations and production services for Children's Television Workshop where he was part of the original production team that created the award-winning series SESAME STREET, THE ELECTRIC COMPANY, 3-2-1 CONTACT and FEELIN' GOOD . He also played an integral part in launching SESAME STREET internationally.

In 1981 Weaver moved to the West coast where he served as executive in charge of production at THE SCHEME OF THINGS and production manager for BREAKAWAY, a syndicated magazine show before becoming writer and producer at syndicated Lorimar soap opera RITUALS.

Legendary writer and producer William J. Bell then contacted Weaver when creating THE BOLD AND THE BEAUITFUL in the fall of 1986. Since then, Weaver served as associate producer, coordinating and senior coordinating producer before being named senior producer - second in rank to executive producer Bradley Bell. His responsibilities included the day-to-day management of the series as well as the supervision of international sales, operations, and promotion in which he was instrumental by making the series one of the most-watched in the world.

Survivors include his partner of 29 years, Franko E. Weaver; daughter Jen Finkle-Weaver; son Kevin Weaver, an executive vp at Atlantic Records Group; and grandchildren Ella, Taji, Kyle and Davis.
A private funeral service will be held in Encino. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Three Rivers Lions Club (P.O. Box 134, Three Rivers, MI 49093) or AIDS Project Los Angeles.