Richard Redlin, born on August 9th, 1952, in Chicago, sadly passed away at the end of September 2021 in Los Angeles.
As a young man, he was already extremely active, and despite being injured at the age of 22, while working for his father's construction company, he refused to let his circumstances hold him back from achieving his dreams.
When his doctor told him he would use a wheelchair for the rest of his life and advised him to learn TV cable repair, Richard responded with a strong, straightforward voice, characteristic of his Leo sign, and said "get out of my room" in the Chicago way.
Undeterred, he built his own program, fought to use the pool, and overcame the challenges to walk with braces and crutches for over 30 years, determined to look people "eye to eye".
A brilliant student at the Art Institute in Chicago, Richard also studied acting at the American Academy of Art, and went on to star in top TV shows, write, direct, and produce various projects.
He was an exceptional individual with a passion for scuba diving, skydiving, and skiing in the Rocky Mountains, always maintaining his positive attitude that charmed everyone.
Richard's compassion and generosity towards others knew no bounds, and teaching swimming to children with special needs was one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life, as evidenced by the kids' drawings and parents' gratitude letters expressing how their children "opened up" to the world after that experience.
Throughout his medical battles, Richard fought alongside his loving wife Marielle, never giving up, and his tenacity and courage earned him the title of "phenomenon" from his doctors.
He always maintained his positive energy and sense of humor, even in the most difficult situations, and his famous phrase "keep 'on smiling" became a beacon of hope for those around him.
Fighting like a lion, Richard's nickname was "Lionheart", and everyone who crossed his path regarded him as a true inspiration for the world. His strong presence, 50,000-watt smile, and warmth will be deeply missed.
