Biography
Ron Maestri's career began in radio as part-time Public Affairs Director/Promotions Manager for a mellow rock FM radio station in Las Vegas, Nevada, KUDO-FM 93. It was this opportunity that connected him to the needs of dozens of non-profit organizations providing them the voice to communicate their message to the local community. Ron created and hosted groundbreaking shows that sought to be entertaining and not typical public affairs tune-outs. Shows like "FM Magazine" utilized the skills of Maestri, along with every other on-air talent as a means of utilizing the station's resources and to garner a larger audience, which the show did successfully, eventually moving into prime-time.
Within 6 months, Ron Maestri was promoted to full-time Operations Manager, in charge of all station talent & programming, also writing & producing highly creative radio ads for station clients. They quickly caught the attention of an ad agency president, who offered Ron a position upon departure from KUDO. Ron accepted, and became Production Director for Ryan Advertising, a leading retail ad agency in Las Vegas, writing, producing and directing all of the agency television and radio commercials. Several spots earned Ron and the agency ADDY Awards for excellence.
Becoming on camera spokesman for Desert GMC trucks, Ron remained their spokesman for 10 years. It was through this exposure that led Ron to KRLR TV, "Vusic", the nation's first full power 24hour music video television station, where Ron Maestri became their first male VJ, hosting "Wake-Up with Ron" weekday mornings (the only music video show on the station's schedule to get ratings) where he created multiple zany characters, including Skier Joe & Uncle Wally. Ron also hosted a weekly Saturday night show, as well. Additionally, he hosted their one-hour show, "Vegas 21", syndicated to multiple station's throughout the U.S. He produced an original music video for a local band, which won the station's contest searching for the best group. When the station transitioned into conventional programming, Ron stayed on as their Program Director/Promotions Producer. So did Uncle Wally, as their kids' show host, and he hosted regular daily interstitial coming up billboards in prime-time.
Relocating to Los Angeles, Ron created and hosted "RocQuiz", an all rock n' roll trivia game show pilot. Directed by Byl Carruthers ("Press Your Luck"), the show was quickly optioned by Shelley Duvall's Think Entertainment for national cable distribution.
Ron hosted 130 episodes of the game show series "Quicksilver" for Stone-Stanley and the USA Network, which became their #1 rated original game show series. Before the show was sold to Stone-Stanley, Ron hosted presentations for Kushner-Locke ("1st and Ten"), CBS and Merv Griffin.
Never stopping producing, Ron produced and directed national news magazine-style infomercial CTA's (call-to-action) long form commercials, opens and bumpers, personally directing Joan Collins, Jaclyn Smith, Dennis Weaver, Linda Dano and Bruce Jenner, among others. At a time when infomercials of the day were poor quality, Ron elevated the caliber with the simple premise that if every product was made to look like a million dollars, the price reveal would look like a bargain. It was these high gloss spots that ultimately set the example, and has now became the norm in that industry. Ron produced/directed for California Production Group, DirectAmerica, Guthy-Renker, Quantum and National Media for a decade.
Spotting an ad in Hollywood Reporter for a QVC open call searching for Program Hosts, Ron auditioned and ultimately won the position from thousands of applicants nationwide. He specialized in cooking, fitness, jewelry, fashion, health/beauty, collectibles & automotive shows. Ron was also voice of QVC's main ID as well as on-going spots promoting shows and exciting new products to be featured. He hosted their groundbreaking late night series "Extreme Shopping", and Q2, their hipper MTV-style sister network.
When Ron's contract with QVC ended, Ron returned to Los Angeles to continue producing and to pursue stand-up comedy. With an act described as "If stand-up comedy is all about honesty, Ron Maestri corners the market", Ron performed regularly at The Comedy Store, The Hollywood Improv, The World Famous Ice House in Pasadena, Ha Ha Comedy Cafe, Second City and in San Diego at their 2000-seat 4th & B Theatre. His Saturday night shows, which he produced and MC'd at Comedy Union, an all-black comedy club in L.A., consistently filled seats to capacity every week for a year.
He became voice of Honda's satellite navigation system in all U.S. vehicles, including Acura and continued to record TV & radio ads for Taster's Choice, Universal Studios, Orlando, Washington Apples, AmeriQuest, Petco, Hyundai, Chevrolet, Honda & Anthony Robbins.
Relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, Ron became Show Host for the Shop-at-Home Television Network, becoming their lead cookware host, credited with helping to triple sales in that product category.
Returning to NYC where he was born, Ron is acting in film and in television, marking a new chapter in his career. He can be seen "Tower Heist" swimming in the $100 swimming pool at the opening of the film as stunt double for one of the lead characters; in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" as the doorman; a scene with Jim Carrey in "Mr. Popper's Penguins"; "The Big Year", "Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You", "The Miraculous Year", "Mildred Pierce", "Something Borrowed", "Premium Rush", and was also Terence Stamp's photo double alongside Matt Damon & Emily Blunt in "The Adjustment Bureau". Ron's numerous television appearances include Bowie, the accidental knife thrower on "Are We There Yet?"; "Gossip Girl", "Blue Bloods", "The Good Wife", "Law & Order: SVU", "White Collar", "The Big C", "Rescue Me", and multiple characters on "The Onion News Network".
Highlights of Ron's training include acting from The Beverly Hills Playhouse (Doris Roberts, Jenna Elfman) and The Larry Moss Studio (Jason Alexander); stand-up comedy at The Improv from Mark Lonow, former owner and improvisation at The Groundlings Theatre.
