John Masius, a renowned writer and producer who won an Emmy for his work on St. Elsewhere and Touched by an Angel, has passed away at 75 after battling ALS for nine months, confirmed by his former spouse, actress Ellen Bry.
Masius had a successful television career, creating popular network dramas like Providence and collaborating with talents such as Jada Pinkett Smith and Michael Vartan on Hawthorne.
His remarkable contributions to St. Elsewhere, which aired from 1982 to 1987, earned him two Emmy awards out of 14 nominations during the show’s run.
Throughout his career, Masius received recognition with various accolades, including Writers Guild Awards, Humanitias Prizes, a People’s Choice Award, and the esteemed Peabody Award.
Despite his achievements, his ex-wife mentioned that Masius valued impacting people through his stories more than winning awards. She emphasized that what mattered most to him was touching lives, providing comfort, sparking joy, or inspiring empathy.
He is survived by his three children, Hannah, Max, and Sam, as well as his former wife Ellen.
ALS is a rare neurological disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death due to breathing complications.
The disease interrupts communication between the brain and muscles, impacting movement, speech, breathing, and swallowing. While there is no cure currently, symptom management therapies can enhance the quality of life for those affected.
Stephen Hawking lived with ALS for 55 years, and actor Eric Dane from Grey’s Anatomy disclosed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025.