Ron McLarty Collection (MSS.21)

Biographical/Historical Note

Ron McLarty (1947- ) is an American actor, author, narrator, and playwright. As an actor, McLarty has appeared on television, in film, and on stage. He is best known for his television roles as Frank Belson in "Spenser for Hire" and Judge William Wright in "Law & Order." He has appeared on Broadway in "Moonchildren," "That Championship Season," and "Our Country's Good."

As a voice actor, McLarty has narrated over one hundred audiobooks, including works by David Baldacci, Stephen King, Elmore Leonard, Richard Russo, Danielle Steel, and Scott Turow. When he was unsuccessful in finding a traditional publisher for his novel "The Memory of Running," McLarty was able to record his novel as an audiobook. Stephen King listened to the audiobook and announced in a column in "Entertainment Weekly" that McLarty's book was "the best novel you won't read this year."

Following a bidding war by publishing firms, "The Memory of Running" became a bestseller and was published around the world. McLarty has published three additional novels: "Traveler" (2007); "Art in America" (2008); and "The Dropper" (2012).

An alumnus of Rhode Island College (1969), McLarty received the Charles B. Willard Achievement Award from the Rhode Island College Alumni Association in 2005, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Rhode Island College in 2007.

From: "Dedication of Ron McLarty Collection." (2017). Rhode Island College.