Researching Ron Thompson

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Thompson is perhaps best known for his dual lead roles in Ralph Bakshi's critically acclaimed rotoscope film American Pop and the 1970s TV series Baretta in the role of Detective Nopke.

Thompson had a brief career as a rock singer in the 1960s and wrote and recorded a number of singles as Ronnie Thompson under the guidance of his mentor and friend, rockabilly singer Ersel Hickey.

Thompson originated the role of Shanty Mulligan in the 1969 Pulitzer Prize winning play No Place to be Somebody by Charles Gordone and won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for his 1973 theatre lead performance in the play Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?

The Progress Bulletin praised Thompson's performance in the 1976 Felton Perry play Buy the Bi and Bye calling it an "offbeat and hilarious black satire with a zinging performance by Ron Thompson."

Thompson did a dramatic portrayal of Henry David Thoreau on the 1976 NBC television series The Rebels.

Thompson starred in the 2018 thriller film Cargo.

Thompson was born in Fremantle to Margaret Alice (née Mewburn) and Samuel Thompson. He left school at the age of 14, and subsequently worked as a wool classer at the Fremantle Woolstores. He was later employed as a shopkeeper and waterside worker, and held various positions in the local branch of the Waterside Workers' Federation (WWF). Thompson entered parliament at a 1959 Legislative Council by-election for West Province, caused by the death of Gilbert Fraser. He transferred to the new South Metropolitan Province at the 1965 state election. After Labor's victory at the 1971 election, Thompson was appointed government whip and deputy leader of the government in the Legislative Council.

In February 1973, when Bill Willesee resigned due to ill health, Thompson was elevated to the ministry, becoming Minister for Community Welfare and Minister for Police. A few months later, he also replaced Don Taylor as Minister for Tourism, holding all three portfolios until the government's defeat at the 1974 election. He then became a member of the Tonkin Shadow Ministry. In 1977, Thompson was expelled from the Labor Party after publicly opposing its policy on homosexuality. He sat as an independent until his term ended at the 1980 state election, and died in Perth in May 2006, aged 88. He had married Doris Violet Brams in 1943, with whom he had two children.