William LeMassena

William LeMassena (May 23, 1916 – January 19, 1993) was an American actor. He was best known for his roles in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, the film All That Jazz, and the soap opera As the World Turns (1985–1992).

Early life and career LeMassena was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, on May 23, 1916, the son of Margery L. (1883–1942) and William Henry LeMassena (1874–1944). He graduated from New York University.

In the later part of his career, LeMassena did several seasons of regional work at Meadowbrook Theatre in Rochester, Michigan, and also had a long run in Broadway's Deathtrap. He appeared in Broadway's first all nude play, Grin and Bare It in 1970, which closed in less than three weeks.

He appeared as the Heavenly Friend who serves as a guide to Gordon MacRae on his return trip to Earth in the 1956 film version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel. LeMassena appeared in other roles, however, including a stint towards the end of his life as Ambrose Bingham, on the daytime soap opera As the World Turns.

He also appeared throughout the 1960s in several television adaptations of stage plays on the Hallmark Hall of Fame, including a 1960 production of Shakespeare's The Tempest, starring Maurice Evans, Lee Remick, Roddy McDowall, and Richard Burton (LeMassena was Antonio), as well as a 1967 production of Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan, starring Geneviève Bujold in her American television debut as Joan of Arc, and featuring LeMassena as Jean d'Estivet.

He also appeared in the first (and so far, the only) television production of the operetta Naughty Marietta, in the role of Rudolfo.

Personal life and death LeMassena served with the United States Army, 1942–1946.

LeMassena was a close friend of Montgomery Clift, with whom he was in a relationship for three years during the early 1940s. Although Clift publicly dated Phyllis Thaxter, he and LeMassena continued to see each other privately during the run of There Shall Be No Night. The relationship ended when LeMassena left to serve overseas. LeMassena said of his relationship with Clift, "…over the course of three years we bared our souls, and found out everything about each other." "Our affair was for me the most beautiful experience in my life."

He died of lung cancer at his home in New Suffolk, New York, on January 19, 1993, at age 76.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1956 Carousel Heavenly Friend The Wrong Man Sang Uncredited 1964 The World of Henry Orient 1970 Where's Poppa? Judge 1979 All That Jazz Jonesy Hecht 1985 Stephen King's Golden Tales Charles Pennywell Direct-to-video Segment: "Do Not Open This Box" 1989 See You in the Morning Mr. Livingstone

Television Year Title Role Notes 1955 Max Liebman Spectaculars Episode: "Good Times" Naughty Marietta Rudolfo Television film Studio One Episode: "The Voysey Inheritance" 1957 Stanley Francisco Episode: "Stanley and Mr. Phillips' Plot" J.B. King Episode: "Married Friends" On Borrowed Time Dr. Evans Television film 1958 Armstrong Circle Theatre James M. Hermann Episode: "The House of Flying Objects" 1960 The Tempest Antonio Television film 1962 The Defenders Mr. Graham Episode: "The Point Shaver" Golden Showcase Poliakoff Episode: "Tonight in Samarkand" Naked City Mr. Hanley Episode: "The Multiplicity of Herbert Konish" The Teahouse of the August Moon Capt. McLean Television film 1963 Naked City Dr. Thomanini Episode: "Howard Running Bear Is a Turtle" The Patriots Col. Humphreys Television film Route 66 Mr. Spofford Episode: "Come Home Greta Inger Gruenschaffen" 1964 The Patty Duke Show Mr. Cameron Episode: "The Continental" 1965 Inherit the Wind Radio Man Television film 1967 Saint Joan Jean D'Estivet 1974 Lincoln Senator Remley Episode: "Mrs. Lincoln's Husband" 1982 Rascals and Robbers: The Secret Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn Judge Thatcher Television film One More Try Judge 1988 Tales from the Darkside Charles Pennywell Episode: "Do Not Open This Box" 1985–1992 As the World Turns Ambrose Bingham Recurring role Final role