Ben Tone

Actor, director, and retired MSU instructor, Ben Tone, passed away on April 13, 2016, surrounded by his two children, three of his grandchildren and loving family friends. Ben was born in Prineville, Oregon, on April 18, 1921, to Bernard Leslie Tone and Helen Elizabeth (Summers) Tone. The family eventually moved to Portland where Ben grew up along with one older brother, Wolfe Tone.

Ben's theatre career began when he was accepted into the drama program at Bennington College in Vermont. At the time an all-women school, it admitted a limited number of men into the theatre department. Ben's studies were interrupted when he answered the call to serve his country during World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and served till the end of the war as a tech sergeant in Norwich, England.

In the post-war years, the GI Bill helped Ben finish his degree at Portland University. A local friend introduced him to Larry Barsness, who had a connection to Virginia City, Montana. Larry, Ben and another friend, Harry Smith, launched the Virginia City Players (VCP) in the summer of 1949. Ben spent the 1950s and 60s acting with the VCP, where he became known for his classic theatre, ranging from Sweeney Todd to She Stoops to Conquer, as well as lighter olios and monologues such as Casey at the Bat and The Cremation of Sam McGee. In the off-seasons, he toured with VCP traveling shows or went to New York for other acting work.

During his VCP summers, Ben met Nina Miller, and the two married in 1958. By the early 1960s, Ben and Nina had a young daughter and son, Kathy and Jeff. The family moved to Bozeman when Ben was offered a full-time position in MSU's new theatre department and summer work at The Loft Theatre downtown. Ben and Nina helped cultivate a tiny community of artists that is credited with establishing the art scene that flourishes in Bozeman today. Actors, painters, sculptors, and musicians, the group included Bobby and Gennie DeWeese, Ken and Mary (Tada) Bryson, pianist Charles Payne, and others who became like extended family. They often got together for holidays and outdoor adventures, with the whole group gathering for at least one major campout each year. The children grew up more like cousins than family friends.

A generous mentor and quick to identify talent, Ben influenced many young actors including Bill Pullman, Tom Morris, Joel Jahnke, John Pribble and countless others who went on to have award-winning careers in acting, make-up, lighting, and set design. He developed close mentoring relationships with John Hosking and Rhonda Smith, the co-founders of the Bozeman-based Vigilante Theatre Company. They all knew Ben for his intensity and versatility on stage, his expressive hands, and his praise when a student got it right: Brilliant!

When Ben retired in 1985, he didn't quit working. He continued appearing in TV and movie roles and on stage. Locally, he is remembered for his portrayal of Lear at MSU and his regular holiday appearance as Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker. Ben's many other passions included tennis, bowling, gardening, wood-working, playing guitar, and camping. He was still bowling and entertaining guests in his home just days before he passed. Most of all, Ben loved spending time with family. He generously shared his home and wisdom with several grandchildren.

Ben was preceded in death by his wife Nina, brother Wolfe, and his parents. Survivors include his son Jeff Tone (Ennis, Montana); daughter Kathy Tone and son-in-law Glen Bos (Tucson, Arizona); five grandchildren Jade, Jacoben, Bridger, Rikki, and Alyse; two great-grandchildren Benjamin and Weston; and dear family friend Dawna Brinkel.

His family thanks the community for the outpouring of support and the flowers by Ben's star outside the Ellen Theatre. They ask that memorial gifts be made to the Virginia City Players, Shakespeare in the Parks, The Ellen Theatre, or any other local theatre group or favorite charity. A memorial service is being planned for summer 2016. If you wish to be notified about details, please email BenToneCelebration@gmail.com.