2016 has claimed yet another beloved actor.
The Wrap reports that Ron Glass, known as Detective Ron Harris on ABC’s classic sitcom Barney Miller and as Shepherd Book on Joss Whedon’s cult sci-fi series Firefly, passed away Friday night at the age of 71 due to respiratory failure.
Glass got his start back in 1973 with a guest spot on All in the Family, which he followed up with appearances on Maude, Hawaii 5-0, and The Bob Newhart Show. After doing a series of small appearances Glass got his chance to shine with his Emmy-nominated turn as Detective Harris in all eight seasons of Barney Miller. Glass continued to keep a steady work flow throughout his career, guest starring in Friends and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and lending his voice to Randy Carmichael in Rugrats. Of all his performances Glass may be most fondly remembered as the relentlessly kind and understanding Shepherd Derrial Book in Firefly and Serenity, whose quiet wisdom helped keep the Serenity crew together through their misadventures.