I so no topic about this and thought it was quite shocking...

Real-Life Tragedy

Benjamin Hendrickson (Hal, ATWT) died suddenly on Monday, July 3. The Emmy Award-winning actor, who had played Oakdale's Chief of Detectives on and off since 1985, was 55 years old.

He also played TEXAS's Chris in 1981, Silas on GUIDING LIGHT from 1981-83 and Sgt. Bartlett on ANOTHER WORLD in 1983, but his first love was theater: as a member of the first graduating class of Juilliard Music School Drama Division (alongside Kevin Kline and Patti LuPone), he appeared in many stage productions and also in several films, including Regarding Henry and Spanking The Monkey.

We will update you as details become available. Hendrickson was a highly respected and beloved member of the ATWT cast.

www.soapoperadigest.com

I am in sheer and utter devestation. I love Benji!

Stunned. I'm simply stunned. The rumors I heard this morning were true (and I, along with many others) simply wrote them off as a very bad joke. I'm watching him on ATWT right now during the emotional Jennifer storyline. It's all coming across as very eerie, now.

I don't believe it. What a great loss to daytime. Hendrickson is my favorite actor to watch on ATWT and has been for a while. I'm just..... I'm at a loss. Horrible news. I will say he's looked less than healthy since he returned last year, but I never would've guessed he was in this bad of shape. I wonder what the cause of death was.

OMG! I totally didn't see this coming, he looked like a healthy man on TV. Such sad news. It would be weird if they tried to recast Hal, because no one could fill Benjamin's void, though wrting him off wouldn't work either as he's dead.

The rumor I'd heard this morning that the cause of death was suicide, but it should be firmly stated that SOD doesn't list the cause of death.

The rumor I'd heard this morning that the cause of death was suicide, but it should be firmly stated that SOD doesn't list the cause of death.

I had a feeling when I read the news- there are times where his depression showed onscreen I think. Automatically when I saw the article, I thought of what a sad man he'd seemed of late. I'm truly heartbroken

This is so sad

I heard the rumor to that Matt is talking about. Someone posted it here in the early morning hours.

If it was suicide, it doesn't surprise me. He had looked and sounded so distant and depressed. But still, what a tragedy. It's always sad when you lose a soap star, but one that had been on the same show for so long...

OMG! I totally didn't see this coming, he looked like a healthy man on TV. Such sad news. It would be weird if they tried to recast Hal, because no one could fill Benjamin's void, though wrting him off wouldn't work either as he's dead.

Yeah but normal healthy people can drop dead of many things. He could have had a heart attack . And I hope they don't recast Hal. With what is happening to Jennifer, they could write Hal having a heart attack off screen due to the stress of that. It's been known to happen in real life and it would give ATWT a chance to write a fitting tribute to Ben.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

This is truly a very sad thing to learn and here...I too read on some other board that it could have been suicide; however, I won't believe this until more is announced.

I didn't know that he suffered depression...I knew that he didn't look well...

This is truly heartbreaking

Never watch ATWT or saw this actor, but losing someone is a terrible thing.

My prayers and thaughts are with his family, friends, and everyone at ATWT!

Press release from P&G

Procter & Gamble Productions, CBS and As The World Turns are deeply saddened to announce the death of Benjamin Hendrickson, who played Chief of Detectives Hal Munson on the daytime drama. Hendrickson, 55, passed away over the weekend at his home in Huntington, New York.

Hendrickson, who won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2003, has been with As The World Turns since 1985. In addition to his work on the show, Hendrickson appeared on Broadway in the 1984 revival of Awake and Sing, Strider and in the title role of The Elephant Man. His feature film credits include Spanking the Monkey, Regarding Henry, Consenting Adults and Manhunter. Prior to joining As The World Turns, Hendrickson appeared on Procter & Gamble Productions’ Another World, Guiding Light and Texas.

“As The World Turns, Procter & Gamble Productions and the entire daytime community have lost a dear friend and a talented actor who brought to life the character of Hal Munson,” says As The World Turns Executive Producer Christopher Goutman. “Benjamin always joked that he was hired for one day, then before he knew it he’d impregnated the leading lady and had to sign a contract. He intended to stay with the show for one year. How lucky for us and the fans that we had him for 21 years. We will continue to mourn his passing.”

“Everyone at CBS Daytime is devastated by the loss of our friend and colleague Benjamin Hendrickson,” says Barbara Bloom, Senior Vice President, Daytime Programs, CBS. “Benjamin’s 21 year portrayal of Hal Munson is testimony to a gifted actor whose talent and loyalty will always be remembered by his fans and co-workers, as well as a very appreciative network. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his fellow cast members, the producers and everyone at As The World Turns during this difficult time.”

Hendrickson attended the Juilliard School where he was a member of the first class of the drama division and a founding member of The Acting Company, under the late John Houseman.

Born on August 26, 1950 in Huntington, New York, Hendrickson was an avid golfer and spent much of his down time on the green with his As The World Turns co-stars. His last air date as Hal Munson will be July 12, 2006.

Wow, this is sad and shocking! It seems odd that they don't disclose what he died of. I thought he was older than 55 actually. I thought maybe he had suffered a stroke recently because his speech seemed slow and slurred sometimes. How sad for his family and ATWT colleagues.