Ron Dean, famous for his roles in Risky Business and The Breakfast Club, has passed away at the age of 87.

The actor died on Sunday at a hospital in Chicago, his partner of 40 years, Maggie Neff, told TMZ.  

His cause of death is unclear at this time, but Neff shared he’s been battling a long illness. 

‘He passed away precisely at 4 PM, following heartfelt farewells from his cherished sisters. He held on bravely to bid his little sisters goodbye,’ she shared with the publication.

‘Then we were alone, and in my arms, I held his hand, and he trusted me when I told him that it was alright to let go. What an honor!’

Dean was known for often playing detectives and law-enforcement characters in his career. 

Ron Dean, famous for his roles in Risky Business and The Breakfast Club, has passed away at the age of 87; Seen in a still from the Dark Knight 

Among his early roles was a part in Risky Business (1983), featuring Tom Cruise. The seasoned Hollywood actor also portrayed Emilio Estevez’s father in The Breakfast Club (1985); Pictured in a scene from Risky Business

One of his earliest roles was in Risky Business (1983), alongside Tom Cruise. 

The Hollywood vet also played Emilio Estevez’s father in The Breakfast Club (1985).

His accomplishments include acting alongside William Shatner in T.J. Hooker, and a role in The Package, featuring Gene Hackman and Tommy Lee Jones. 

He also appeared in Christopher Nolan’s billion-dollar-grossing Batman film, The Dark Knight. 

Dean was a frequent collaborator with director Andrew Davis, appearing in several of his films, including Code of Silence, Above the Law, The Guardian, Steal Big Steal Little, and Chain Reaction. 

Davis told Deadline in a statement: ‘Ron Dean was my dear friend and a tremendous actor. He was the essence of what Chicago talent represented.’

‘Having a very troubled youth Ron turned his life around to have a wonderful career as a loving, decent human being and respected talent.’

His partner Maggie also told Deadline, ‘It’s hard to capture what an extraordinary human being Ron was.’

The actor died on Sunday at a hospital in Chicago, his partner of 40 years, Maggie Neff, told TMZ. His cause of death is unclear at this time, but Neff shared he’s been battling a long illness; Dean seen in a still 

‘He passed at exactly 4 PM, after his beloved sisters had said their goodbyes. He hung on like a warrior to say goodbye to his little sisters,’ she told the publication; Dean seen in a still

‘One glamorous woman friend of Ron’s once told me that she’d rather grab a hot dog with Ron Dean than have a fancy dinner with some rich bloke. I have always felt the same way.’

Dean’s TV career was prolific, with credits including NYPD Blue, Frasier, ER, The West Wing, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. 

In 1996 he was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Supporting Role for Supple in Combat with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. 

In 2013, he shared a Best Ensemble Cast award from the Chicago Comedy Film Festival for the movie One Small Hitch.