Ron Glass (July 10, 1945 – November 25, 2016) was an American actor born in Evansville, Indiana, best known for playing Detective Ron Harris on Barney Miller and Shepherd Book on Firefly and its film sequel, Serenity

Glass graduated from the University of Evansville in 1968, where he studied drama and literature. He remained closely connected to UE and Evansville throughout his career, serving on the university’s Board of Trustees and supporting the Evansville African American Museum. UE later honored him as a Distinguished Alumnus and with its Medal of Honor. Glass died in 2016 at age 71