Gina Heslop
Ron Faber, an award-winning stage performer, passed away at the age of 90 on March 26th, 2023. He had been battling lung cancer, which eventually took his life. David Patrick Kelly, his friend and coworker, paid tribute to him on Facebook, referring to him as a “great artist and gentleman with a wonderful voice and laugh.”
In 1972, Faber was awarded an Obie Award for his performance in the off-Broadway production of “And They Put Handcuffs on Flowers.” It was during this performance that director William Friedkin noticed him and offered him a part in his upcoming film, “The Exorcist.”
Faber played the role of Chuck, the assistant director of the movie-within-a-movie called “Crash Course.” His most notable scene was when he informed Chris MacNeil (played by Ellen Burstyn) of Burke Dennings’ (played by Jack MacGowran) passing. In addition to his on-screen work, Faber provided some of the demon’s guttural vocalizations, which Mercedes McCambridge added to her recordings. This implied that Regan (played by Linda Blair) was home to more than one presence.
Friedkin wanted to give the demon many voices, with McCambridge playing the leading role. However, Faber’s contributions were not recognized, which made him angry. The sound design team experimented with different voices, including Faber’s, to achieve the desired effect. It was well-known that McCambridge’s asthma was responsible for the demon’s wheezing.
Apart from his work in “The Exorcist,” Faber also appeared in various television series such as “Kojak,” “The Edge of Night,” “Law and Order,” and “Third Watch.” His surviving children are Hart, Raymond, Elise Manuel, and Anthony, along with his wife Kathleen Moore Faber. Unfortunately, his son Eric passed away before him.
