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Tom Ligon, Veteran Stage and Screen Actor and SAG-AFTRA New York Board Member, Dies at 85
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Culture/The Apex Times/Jun 29, 9:15 PM EDT

Tom Ligon, Veteran Stage and Screen Actor and SAG-AFTRA New York Board Member, Dies at 85

Actor Tom Ligon, who worked across films, television, and Broadway and served for years on the SAG-AFTRA New York Local board, has died at age 85, the actors union confirmed. No cause of death was provided.

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

Tom Ligon, a veteran actor known for work across film, television, and Broadway, died at age 85, SAG-AFTRA confirmed on June 29, 2026, according to Deadline. The union did not release a cause of death or additional personal details.

Ligon, born September 10, 1940, in New Orleans, built a career that included onstage performances as well as screen work. Deadline described him as a long-serving member of the performers community, with credits spanning multiple entertainment platforms and Broadway work.

In addition to his acting, Ligon served as a longtime member of SAG-AFTRA’s New York Local board. SAG-AFTRA has various local governance and member representation functions, and Deadline reported that Ligon’s service on the New York board reflected his involvement in union affairs alongside his professional work.

Deadline’s report said SAG-AFTRA confirmed the death but did not provide further context. The article did not name surviving family members or list memorial arrangements at the time of publication.

Because SAG-AFTRA did not provide additional specifics, it was not clear from the report what circumstances surrounded the death, or whether the actor had ongoing projects. Any information about future releases, tributes, or scheduled performances would depend on what SAG-AFTRA and representatives of Ligon’s estate or professional colleagues choose to share.

The news comes as SAG-AFTRA continues to navigate labor issues affecting actors and other performers, including negotiations and enforcement of contracts that govern wages, residuals, and working conditions. Ligon’s dual role as an active performer and a board member placed him at the intersection of onstage and screen work and the union’s internal decision-making.

The next public steps, absent a separate statement, are likely to include additional information from SAG-AFTRA and possibly announcements through Broadway presenters, studios, and performers who worked with him. Until more details are released, the confirmed public record centers on his age, birthdate, and the union role described by Deadline.

Why It Matters

  • Ligon’s death removes a long-time figure from both the performing community and SAG-AFTRA’s New York Local governance role.
  • Unions often rely on member leadership from working performers, and Ligon’s board service highlights the role active artists play in institutional oversight.
  • With no cause of death provided, public information may require follow-up statements from SAG-AFTRA, colleagues, or Ligon’s representatives.
  • The timing may affect how theaters, broadcasters, and industry partners coordinate tributes and acknowledgments for an active member of the performer workforce.

Sources

Key Facts

  • Tom Ligon died at age 85, SAG-AFTRA confirmed, according to Deadline.
  • Ligon was born September 10, 1940, in New Orleans.
  • Deadline described Ligon as an actor with work in films, television, and Broadway.
  • Ligon served for years on SAG-AFTRA’s New York Local board, per Deadline.
  • SAG-AFTRA did not provide a cause of death in the confirmation reported by Deadline.