Ben Masters

• Name — Ben Masters • Birth Name — Benjamin Masters • Born — 6 May 1947 • Birthplace — Corvallis, Oregon, U.S. • Died — 11 January 2023 • Place of death — Palm Springs, California, U.S. • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 1974–2008

Masters was born in Corvallis, Oregon, and graduated from the University of Oregon as a theater major. In 1975, while filming a TV movie, One of Our Own, he broke his neck in a car accident. The break was misdiagnosed and he was sent home but, after discussing the problem with one of the doctors consulting on the movie and at the urging of his costar, George Peppard, he went back to the hospital, where a hangman's break was confirmed. Surgeons placed him in a halo traction brace, leaving noticeable scars on his forehead.

Masters moved to New York City and landed a role in the off-Broadway play The Boys in the Band. He also had a 13-month run in Kevin Wade's Key Exchange off-Broadway. The Broadway plays Captain Brassbound's Conversion with Ingrid Bergman and The Cherry Orchard with Irene Worth, Raul Julia, and Meryl Streep followed. Masters portrayed Nick, the older brother of the titular character in the 1976–1977 Saturday morning series Muggsy. Masters started in daytime dramas when he portrayed Vic Strang on Another World for three months in 1982. Masters later appeared as corporate raider Linc Bartlett in the television miniseries Noble House in 1988. On May 14, 1994, Masters was one of the guests in the Walker, Texas Ranger two-hour special episode titled "The Reunion". In 1999, he signed a contract for NBC's Passions, as the womanizing billionaire Julian Crane. His role on the daytime drama landed him Soap Opera Digest Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2001 and 2002 and Outstanding Lead Actor in 2005. After NBC announced that it was cancelling Passions in February 2007, Masters said "I will miss getting to play this part so much. I had such a great time playing Julian Crane. I wanted to do it until I couldn't do it anymore." Passions was later picked up by Directv for the 2007–2008 season.

Masters died on January 11, 2023, at the age of 75, from complications of COVID-19 while battling dementia.

Film • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1975 — Mandingo — Charles • 1979 — All That Jazz — Dr. Garry • 1985 — Key Exchange — Philip • 1986 — Dream Lover — Michael Hansen • 1987 — Making Mr. Right — Steve Marcus • 1994 — Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion — Senator Julian Knox Television • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1976–1977 — Muggsy — Nick Malloy — 13 episodes • 1980 — The Shadow Box — Mark — TV movie • 1984 — Celebrity — Kleber Cantrell — Miniseries • 1986 — Kate's Secret — Jack Stark — TV movie • 1986 — The Deliberate Stranger — Det. Mike Fisher — TV movie • 1988 — Noble House — Linc Bartlett — 4 episode • 1988 — Street of Dreams — Kyd Thomas — TV movie • 1988–1989 — HeartBeat — Dr. Leo Rosetti — 18 episodes • 1992 — Cruel Doubt — Frank Johnston — 2 episodes • 1993 — A Twist of the Knife — Prosecutor Dennis Chapin — TV movie • 1995 — Lady Killer — Ross Mitchell • 1997 — The Second Civil War — Matthew Langford — TV movie • 1997 — Spy Game — General Sam Wellish • 1999–2008 — Passions — Julian Crane — 749 episodes