Ron Masak has passed away. The Murder, She Wrote co-star died just days after Angela Lansbury, according to his daughter in a Facebook message. Masak was 86 years old.
One of Masak’s ten grandkids, Kaylie Defilippis, informed The Hollywood Reporter that the actor died of natural causes on Thursday at a hospital in Thousand Oaks, California.
“It is with a very heavy and broken heart that today October 20, 2022 our father Ron Masak passed at the age of 86,” Masak’s daughter wrote on Facebook. “He was surrounded by his wife and all six children.”
Masak was also lauded for his “extensive career in the entertainment sector,” according to the statement. Masak became recognized as “The King of Commercials” and for his role as Sheriff Mort Metzger on Murder, She Wrote over his six decades of labor.
Masak portrayed the latter role for almost 40 episodes, alongside Lansbury, who played Jessica Fletcher, a widowed, retired English teacher who investigated local crimes. Lansbury passed away in her sleep earlier this month. She was 96 years old.
Masak was also featured on several TV series such as Bewitched, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and I Dream of Jeannie, as well as in films such as Evel Knievel and The Benchwarmers.
Masak was committed to two future movies, according to his IMDb page: The Curse of Gorgon, which is marked as completed, and Quigley 2, which is now in pre-production.
Masak was committed to both giving back and his family in addition to his career onstage.
“Ron also spent many years playing an integral role in various charity events for Wounded Warriors, Child Help, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Jerry Lewis Telethon, and many more,” Masak’s daughter wrote. “Most importantly, we will remember him as a husband, a Father, a Papa, a Father in Law, and a great friend.”
She concluded, “He has touched so many lives and will be greatly missed.”