
The beloved casting director departed from this world on March 6th, 2023, at the Toronto General Hospital after a brief illness.
Veteran Canadian casting director, producer, and director Ron Leach will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.
His deep passion for the film and television industry allowed him to create spectacular movies and series.
The deceased’s close friend Mark Johnston, founder and president of Eelay Media, told a media outlet that Leach was 68 years old at the time of his passing.
Johnston says Leach’s laughter, storytelling, and generosity were but a few of his great attributes, calling him “a force, a light, and a bright soul.”
The exact details surrounding Leach’s illness were not revealed to the public. However, his family has requested people to send prayers his way.
Exploring Ron Leach’s career
Leach’s career in the entertainment industry spanned more than 30 years. He garnered dozens of credits throughout his career. He also worked as a drama coach for some part of his life.
According to the bio on his website, he cast for clients such as Hallmark, Lifetime, MarVista Entertainment, CTV, Anchor Bay, CBS, Fox, Paramount, and Global TV.
His latest casting credits included the 2020 Ottawa-shot crime thriller Two Deaths of Henry Baker (Fireside Pictures) and 2022’s The Holiday Sitter for Hallmark Channel.
His primary source of income was the Toronto-based ‘Ron Leach Casting agency.’ Leach was also vice president and president of the Acme Theatre Company, as well as president of its board of directors, for a total of 10 years.
Ron grew up in a household that embraced music, art, literature, and food.
He graduated from Sir Oliver Mowat High School in 1971, and while he intended to enter the fine arts program at Ryerson University, his application was mysteriously misplaced.
The unexpected mistake led him to accept his first role as an agent in film and television at The Characters Talent Agency and gave birth to a passion that lasted his entire life.
Leach served on boards of several arts organizations and was a juror at various festivals, including the Future of Film Showcase.
Despite his demanding line of work, the deceased worked tirelessly for some non-profit organizations.
He avidly supported the “Friends for Life” bike rally, cycling from Toronto to Montreal for seven years to help those battling HIV and AIDS.
Actor-writer-producer Donald Shepherd posted on Facebook, “Sending all the love to those who have felt the incredible impact from Ron, whether as a friend, teacher or a recipient of his kindness and received a helping hand.”
Ron Leach was a role model and mentor for many. His sudden death has caused a dent in the entertainment industry that will be too difficult to repair.
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