If you were a soap fan in the early 2000s, you probably knew about the wild antics of NBC’s Passions. Known for pushing the envelope even by soap standards, you never knew what you’d see when you tuned in to watch the adventures of the Krane, Russell, Bennett, and Lopez-Fitzgerald families. From witches and warlocks to actual portals to hell, the show never ceased to push the limits — and the actors never seemed to mind.
Rodney Van Johnson played the role of T.C. Russell on the show, spanning nearly its entire run from 1999 – 2007 (he was dropped to recurring status in its final year). While he was largely grateful for the opportunity to work in the industry, he admitted that part of it took a personal toll on him — and there was one aspect that was especially challenging.
Rodney Van Johnson hated playing the ‘angry Black man’ Rodney...
Rodney Van Johnson played the role of T.C. Russell on the show, spanning nearly its entire run from 1999 – 2007 (he was dropped to recurring status in its final year). While he was largely grateful for the opportunity to work in the industry, he admitted that part of it took a personal toll on him — and there was one aspect that was especially challenging.
Rodney Van Johnson hated playing the ‘angry Black man’ Rodney...
- 3/11/2023
- by Jessica Wick
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Rodney Van Johnson is best known for his work on the soap opera Passions. For eight years, Johnson played T.C. Russell. While the role earned him fame, there were aspects of the job Johnson hated.
Passions star Rodney Van Johnson I Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Rodney Van Johnson played T.C. Russell on ‘Passions’
Johnson was one of the original cast members of Passions when it debuted in July 1999. The actor portrayed T.C., the patriarch of the Russell family. T.C. is married to Eve Russell (Tracey Ross), and they have two daughters, Whitney Russell (Brook Kerr) and Simone Russell (Cathy Jenee Doe).
T.C. is a tennis instructor whose dreams of playing professionally were dashed after a knee injury in a car wreck. The Russell patriarch blamed his longtime rival Julian Crane (Ben Masters) for the accident and ruining his career. T.C. has a temper...
Passions star Rodney Van Johnson I Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Rodney Van Johnson played T.C. Russell on ‘Passions’
Johnson was one of the original cast members of Passions when it debuted in July 1999. The actor portrayed T.C., the patriarch of the Russell family. T.C. is married to Eve Russell (Tracey Ross), and they have two daughters, Whitney Russell (Brook Kerr) and Simone Russell (Cathy Jenee Doe).
T.C. is a tennis instructor whose dreams of playing professionally were dashed after a knee injury in a car wreck. The Russell patriarch blamed his longtime rival Julian Crane (Ben Masters) for the accident and ruining his career. T.C. has a temper...
- 2/19/2023
- by Carol Cassada
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Ben Masters, the much-loved soap star of “Passions,” died Wednesday at age 75.
Per an official release from Masters’ team, the actor suffered a years-long battle with dementia before succumbing to Covid at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Springs, California.
His much-loved role of billionaire Julian Crane was also his last. He starred on the daytime drama and pop culture phenomenon from 1999-2008.
Also Read:
Quinn K. Redeker, Beloved Soap Star of ‘Days Of Our Lives’ and ‘The Young And The Restless,’ Dies at 86
Masters began his acting career shortly after graduating from the University of Oregon with a theater degree in 1969 when he moved to New York City and got his start onstage. He starred in many on-and Off-Broadway productions including “Captain Brassbound’s Conversion” with Ingrid Bergman, “The Cherry Orchard” with Meryl Streep and the historic LGBTQ drama “Boys in the Band.”
Feature film credits included Bob Fosse...
Per an official release from Masters’ team, the actor suffered a years-long battle with dementia before succumbing to Covid at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Springs, California.
His much-loved role of billionaire Julian Crane was also his last. He starred on the daytime drama and pop culture phenomenon from 1999-2008.
Also Read:
Quinn K. Redeker, Beloved Soap Star of ‘Days Of Our Lives’ and ‘The Young And The Restless,’ Dies at 86
Masters began his acting career shortly after graduating from the University of Oregon with a theater degree in 1969 when he moved to New York City and got his start onstage. He starred in many on-and Off-Broadway productions including “Captain Brassbound’s Conversion” with Ingrid Bergman, “The Cherry Orchard” with Meryl Streep and the historic LGBTQ drama “Boys in the Band.”
Feature film credits included Bob Fosse...
- 1/11/2023
- by Benjamin Lindsay
- The Wrap
Ben Masters, who appeared three times on Broadway in the 1970s before starring as the philandering billionaire Julian Crane during the entire run of the NBC/DirecTV soap opera Passions, has died. He was 75.
Masters battled dementia for several years and died Wednesday of Covid-19 complications at Eisenhower Health Center in Rancho Mirage, California, a family spokesperson announced.
On the big screen, Masters appeared in Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz (1979) with Roy Scheider, in Key Exchange (1985) with Brooke Adams and Danny Aiello, in Dream Lover (1986) with Kristy McNichol and in Making Mr. Right (1987) with John Malkovich.
On Passions, which ran from 1999-2008, Masters’ Julian had an affair and a son with Tracey Ross’ Eve and a long, tumultuous marriage with Kim Johnston Ulrich’s Ivy. He also was presumed murdered in 2002, but it turned out he wasn’t, and he was back on the show months later.
Soap Opera...
Masters battled dementia for several years and died Wednesday of Covid-19 complications at Eisenhower Health Center in Rancho Mirage, California, a family spokesperson announced.
On the big screen, Masters appeared in Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz (1979) with Roy Scheider, in Key Exchange (1985) with Brooke Adams and Danny Aiello, in Dream Lover (1986) with Kristy McNichol and in Making Mr. Right (1987) with John Malkovich.
On Passions, which ran from 1999-2008, Masters’ Julian had an affair and a son with Tracey Ross’ Eve and a long, tumultuous marriage with Kim Johnston Ulrich’s Ivy. He also was presumed murdered in 2002, but it turned out he wasn’t, and he was back on the show months later.
Soap Opera...
- 1/11/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ben Masters, who played Julian Crane in the daytime drama “Passions,” died Wednesday of Covid-19 in Palm Springs, Calif., after battling dementia for several years. He was 75.
He played the womanizing heir apparent to the show’s wealthy and powerful Crane family from 1999 to 2008.
Masters’ movie roles included parts in Bob Fosse’s “All That Jazz,” “Key Exchange,” “Making Mr. Right,” “Mandingo” and “Dream Lover.”
In the short-lived 1976 series “Muggsy,” Masters raised his 13-year old sister in a trailer behind a gas station after their parents died. The Saturday morning series dealt with issues like gangs and poverty in a more realistic way than the popular suburban depictions of family life.
From the 1970s to 1990s, Masters worked on several TV mini-series such as “Noble House” (with Pierce Brosnan) and “Celebrity” (with Ned Beatty and Tess Harper).
He also guest starred on TV series including “Kojak,” “Barnaby Jones,” “Murder She Wrote,...
He played the womanizing heir apparent to the show’s wealthy and powerful Crane family from 1999 to 2008.
Masters’ movie roles included parts in Bob Fosse’s “All That Jazz,” “Key Exchange,” “Making Mr. Right,” “Mandingo” and “Dream Lover.”
In the short-lived 1976 series “Muggsy,” Masters raised his 13-year old sister in a trailer behind a gas station after their parents died. The Saturday morning series dealt with issues like gangs and poverty in a more realistic way than the popular suburban depictions of family life.
From the 1970s to 1990s, Masters worked on several TV mini-series such as “Noble House” (with Pierce Brosnan) and “Celebrity” (with Ned Beatty and Tess Harper).
He also guest starred on TV series including “Kojak,” “Barnaby Jones,” “Murder She Wrote,...
- 1/11/2023
- by Julia MacCary
- Variety Film + TV
Ben Masters, best known for his part as the wealthy Julian Crane from the classic NBC soap Passions, died on January 11 at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Springs. The actor struggled with dementia for years and eventually died due to Covid. His role as Julian, which spanned from 1999 to 2008, was his most prominent and final credit. Masters, born May 6, 1947, in Corvallis, Or, graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s associate in theater in 1969. Afterward, he moved to New York, where he began acting on and off-Broadway in productions such as The Cherry Orchard with Meryl Streep, Captain Brassbound’s Conversion alongside Ingrid Bergman, and Boys in the Band. From there, Masters transitions into acting, starring in films like 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.
- 1/11/2023
- TV Insider
Ben Masters, best known for his portrayal of Julian Crane on NBC’s Passions from 1999 to 2008, died Wednesday in Palm Springs, Calif. He was 75.
According to his representatives, Masters battled dementia for several years, with Covid listed as his official cause of death.
More from TVLineWWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk Dead at 79 - Ric Flair and Mick Foley Pay TributeAnother World's Nancy Frangione Dead at 70Ahsoka Pays Tribute to Ray Stevenson in Series Premiere: 'For Our Friend, Ray'
Prior to his starring role on Passions, Masters appeared on a number of hit TV series, including Touched by an Angel...
According to his representatives, Masters battled dementia for several years, with Covid listed as his official cause of death.
More from TVLineWWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk Dead at 79 - Ric Flair and Mick Foley Pay TributeAnother World's Nancy Frangione Dead at 70Ahsoka Pays Tribute to Ray Stevenson in Series Premiere: 'For Our Friend, Ray'
Prior to his starring role on Passions, Masters appeared on a number of hit TV series, including Touched by an Angel...
- 1/11/2023
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
Ben Masters, the actor best known for his role as Julian Crane on the old NBC soap Passions, died January 11 at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Springs. He was 75.
Masters battled dementia for several years and succumbed to Covid.
His biggest role was also his last — portraying the rich and powerful Julian from 1999 to 2008 on the NBC sudser.
Born on May 6, 1947, in Corvallis, Or, Masters graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. degree in theater in 1969. He moved to New York City, where he starred in on and off-Broadway productions such as Captain Brassbound’s Conversion with Ingrid Bergman, The Cherry Orchard with Meryl Streep, and Boys in the Band.
From left: Ben Masters, Pierce Brosnan and Deborah Raffin, 1988, (c)De Laurentiis Entertainment Group/courtesy
Masters segued into film, starring in Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz with Roy Schneider, Key Exchange with Brooke Adams and Danny Aiello,...
Masters battled dementia for several years and succumbed to Covid.
His biggest role was also his last — portraying the rich and powerful Julian from 1999 to 2008 on the NBC sudser.
Born on May 6, 1947, in Corvallis, Or, Masters graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. degree in theater in 1969. He moved to New York City, where he starred in on and off-Broadway productions such as Captain Brassbound’s Conversion with Ingrid Bergman, The Cherry Orchard with Meryl Streep, and Boys in the Band.
From left: Ben Masters, Pierce Brosnan and Deborah Raffin, 1988, (c)De Laurentiis Entertainment Group/courtesy
Masters segued into film, starring in Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz with Roy Schneider, Key Exchange with Brooke Adams and Danny Aiello,...
- 1/11/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
1984: Guiding Light's Springfield celebrated Founders Day.
1985: Gh's Anna & Robert plotted to get the Aztec jewels.
1986: Another World's Felicia spoke at Zane's funeral.
1991: Days of our Lives' "Roman" reunited with Marlena."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1977: On Guiding Light, Eve Stapleton (Janet Grey) was released from Cedars Hospital.
1979: On The Edge of Night, Elliott couldn't (Lee Godart) resist Raven (Sharon Gabet) even though he was aghast she left the baby alone.
1980: On Guiding Light, Nola (Lisa Brown) gave Morgan (Kristen Vigard) someone else's I.
1985: Gh's Anna & Robert plotted to get the Aztec jewels.
1986: Another World's Felicia spoke at Zane's funeral.
1991: Days of our Lives' "Roman" reunited with Marlena."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1977: On Guiding Light, Eve Stapleton (Janet Grey) was released from Cedars Hospital.
1979: On The Edge of Night, Elliott couldn't (Lee Godart) resist Raven (Sharon Gabet) even though he was aghast she left the baby alone.
1980: On Guiding Light, Nola (Lisa Brown) gave Morgan (Kristen Vigard) someone else's I.
- 8/15/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1984: Guiding Light's Springfield celebrated Founders Day.
1985: Gh's Anna & Robert plotted to get the Aztec jewels.
1986: Another World's Felicia spoke at Zane's funeral.
1991: Days of our Lives' "Roman" reunited with Marlena."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1977: On Guiding Light, Eve Stapleton (Janet Grey) was released from Cedars Hospital.
1979: On The Edge of Night, Elliott couldn't (Lee Godart) resist Raven (Sharon Gabet) even though he was aghast she left the baby alone.
1980: On Guiding Light, Nola (Lisa Brown) gave Morgan (Kristen Vigard) someone else's I.D. so Morgan could get birth control pills.
1985: Gh's Anna & Robert plotted to get the Aztec jewels.
1986: Another World's Felicia spoke at Zane's funeral.
1991: Days of our Lives' "Roman" reunited with Marlena."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1977: On Guiding Light, Eve Stapleton (Janet Grey) was released from Cedars Hospital.
1979: On The Edge of Night, Elliott couldn't (Lee Godart) resist Raven (Sharon Gabet) even though he was aghast she left the baby alone.
1980: On Guiding Light, Nola (Lisa Brown) gave Morgan (Kristen Vigard) someone else's I.D. so Morgan could get birth control pills.
- 8/15/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1980: Edge of Night's Draper was sentenced.
1981: Gh's Sarah raised Jeff's suspicions.
1986: Y&R's John confronted Jack.
1995: AMC's Will shocked a Pine Valley courtroom."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1941: Radio soap opera We Are Always Young premiered on the Mutual Network. The show told the story of a serious composer who worked...
1981: Gh's Sarah raised Jeff's suspicions.
1986: Y&R's John confronted Jack.
1995: AMC's Will shocked a Pine Valley courtroom."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1941: Radio soap opera We Are Always Young premiered on the Mutual Network. The show told the story of a serious composer who worked...
- 3/4/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Living dolls, evil witches, incest and orangutan nurses ... "Passions" was one ridiculous show during its nine season run from 1999-2008. And at the center of it all was Sheridan Crane, played by McKenzie Westmore. While the show was incredibly off-the-wall, Westmore now looks back on the series with nothing but love. "That was such a big part of my life, that was my whole twenties. I started that show when I was 20, finished it when I was 28," she tells toofab's Brian Particelli. "For me, that was like my peak years of coming into womanhood and it's one of my greatest, fondest memories." With kidnappings, Bollywood dance numbers and plenty of blackmail, McKenzie says she and the rest of the cast got a daily dose of "Wtf" whenever they got their new scripts. "The more controversy, the worse you could get it, we did it," she says, recalling one particular storyline...
- 7/31/2015
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.