Famous actor Ben Masters, known for his roles in the daytime drama “Passions” and the 1979 film “All That Jazz,” died Wednesday at the age of 75.
Masters died at Eisenhower Health Center in Rancho Mirage, California, a family spokesperson announced, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He had been battling dementia for several years prior to his death and ultimately passed away due to complications from COVID-19, according to Variety.
Masters was widely known for playing the womanizing heir Julian Crane in “Passions,” after making his soap opera debut on “Another World” in 1982. Masters’ movie credits included “All That Jazz,” “Key Exchange,” “Dream Lover,” “Key Exchange” and “Mandingo.”
No words for the loss of my on screen brother! Love you Ben! RIP #BenMasters #Passions #NBCPassions #NBC #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/d4UC1YC6vv
— McKenzie Westmore (@mckenziewestmor) January 11, 2023
Masters was a true talent in the soap opera community, being nominated for Soap Opera Digest’s best supporting actor award in 2001, ’03 and ’05, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The famous actor lent his talents to a variety of prominent television shows, including “Kojak,” “Barnaby Jones,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Petrocelli,” “Touched by an Angel,” “Sisters,” and “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.”
Masters also worked with Ingrid Bergman, Meryl Streep and Anne Jackson on Broadway. He starred alongside Roy Scheider in “All That Jazz.” (RELATED: Legendary Musician Jeff Beck Dead At 78)
He collaborated with Ned Beatty and Tess Harper on the “Celebrity” miniseries in 1984, and with Pierce Brosnan on the 1988 miniseries “Noble House.”
He had a role in the 1976 series “Muggsy,” a show that dealt with subjects such as gangs and poverty.
Masters is survived by his sister, Cheryl Lerner, and his two nieces Hannah and Clea Lerner, the New York Post reported.