Actor Ben Masters passed away on January 11, 2023, at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Springs, CA, at 75. Masters battled dementia for several years and succumbed to COVID.
Masters made countless appearances on stage, the silver screen, and television. It was his role as Julian Crane on the daytime drama Passions that made him a household name. Passions was also Masters' last role.
One of Masters' Passions co-stars, Eric Martsolf (Brady Black, Days of our Lives; ex-Ethan Winthrop, Passions), shared a photo he took of Masters on the last day of filming at Passions. "He was all smiles, and I'll remember him as such. Thank you for your kindness, and rest in peace, Ben," Martsolf wrote.
I snapped this on the last tape day at Passions. He was all smiles, and I'll remember him as such. Thank you for your kindness, and rest in peace, Ben.#Passions #BenMasters pic.twitter.com/TEO0viz2yG
- Eric Martsolf (@ericmartsolf) January 11, 2023
Born on May 6, 1947, in Corvallis, OR, to Beryl and Mary Masters, Ben graduated from Corvallis High School in 1965 and the University of Oregon with a B.A. degree in Theater in 1969.
With a passion for theater, film, and television from a young age, Masters soon moved to New York City, where he starred in many on and off-Broadway productions, including Captain Brassbound's Conversion with Ingrid Bergman, The Cherry Orchard with Meryl Streep, and Boys in the Band. He segued into film, starring in Bob Fosse's All That Jazz with Roy Schneider, Key Exchange with Brooke Adams and Danny Aiello, Making Mr. Right with John Malkovich, and Dream Lover with Kristy McNichol. Throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Masters starred in many TV mini-series, including Noble House with Pierce Brosnan and Celebrity with Ned Beatty and Tess Harper, and guest-starred in numerous television series, including Kojak, Petrocelli, Touched by an Angel, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Barnaby Jones, Murder She Wrote, Heartbeat, Walker: Texas Ranger, Diagnosis Murder, Sisters, and Pensacola Wings of Gold.
Masters is survived by his sister Cheryl Lerner, nieces Hannah and Clea Lerner of Los Angeles, and numerous friends and colleagues by whom he was loved and respected. He was pre-deceased by his parents.
At his request, there will be no memorial service or funeral.
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