Ron Weaver Dies: Longtime Soap Opera Producer Passes Away At 75

The daytime television world received some sad news this weekend.

Ron Weaver, the producer who helped launch The Bold and the Beautiful and then stayed on board to helm the show for nearly three decades, passed away on Saturday, May 11. He was 75.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the three-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning showrunner died at his home in Los Angeles.

Born in Mishawaka, Indiana, Ron Weaver started out as a ventriloquist, performing on local radio and TV and attended Michigan State University

After graduating with a bachelor of arts degree, Ron served a two year stint in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He then went on to study directing and acting with prestigious teacher Herbert Berghof before entering his career in TV production.

Prior to his work on The Bold and the Beautiful, Weaver served as director of operations and production services for Children’s Television Workshop, where he worked on Sesame Street, The Electric Company, 3-2-1 Contact, Feeling Good and The Best of Families.

He also played a pivotal role in the international launch of Sesame Street‘s co-productions in Latin America and spent time as a writer at WCBS-TV’s Eye on New York.

Following Weaver’s death, current B&B executive producer Bradley Bell released the following statement:

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Ron Weaver. Ron was talented, a good friend to all of us, and a 26 year producer of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful.’ He will be missed, will always be remembered and will forever remain in our hearts.”

Weaver is survived by his partner of 29 years, Franko E. Weaver; daughter, Jen Finkle-Weaver; son, Kevin Weaver, exec VP at Atlantic Record Group; and several grandchildren.

THR reports a private funeral service will be held in Encino and that Weaver’s 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 in lieu of flowers.