John Masius, a renowned Emmy-winning writer and producer famous for his work on St. Elsewhere and Touched by an Angel, has passed away at 75 after battling ALS for nine months, according to his former spouse, actress Ellen Bry.
Masius had a distinguished television career, creating network dramas like Providence and collaborating with stars such as Jada Pinkett Smith and Michael Vartan on Hawthorne.
His notable contributions to St. Elsewhere, which aired from 1982 to 1987, led to two Emmys out of 14 nominations for his exceptional work on the series.
Throughout his career, Masius received numerous accolades, including multiple Writers Guild Awards, Humanitias Prizes, a People’s Choice Award, and the esteemed Peabody Award.
Despite his achievements, his ex-wife mentioned that Masius did not gauge success by awards. She stated, “What mattered most to him was whether his stories touched people, whether they gave comfort, sparked laughter, or inspired compassion.”
He is survived by his three children, Hannah, Max, and Sam, as well as his former spouse Ellen.
ALS, a rare motor neuron disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death due to respiratory failure. The disorder disrupts brain-to-muscle signals, impacting movement, speech, breathing, and swallowing. While there is no cure presently, symptom management therapies can enhance quality of life.
Stephen Hawking lived with ALS for 55 years, while Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane disclosed his diagnosis in April 2025.
Masius began his Hollywood career in the 1980s as a writer on CBS’ The White Shadow. He gained prominence with St. Elsewhere, winning Primetime Emmy Awards in 1984 and 1986 and receiving a total of 14 nominations for his work on the acclaimed medical drama.
In 1994, he introduced audiences to Touched by an Angel, the inspirational CBS hit starring Roma Downey as a heavenly messenger. The show ran for nine seasons, but Masius later stepped back when executives felt his vision was “too dark” for network viewers.
He continued exploring medical narratives with NBC’s Providence (1999–2002) before creating the TNT drama Hawthorne (2009–2011), featuring Jada Pinkett Smith.
His diverse portfolio also included the short-lived Ferris Bueller sitcom, Showtime’s Dead Like Me – where he took over from Bryan Fuller due to creative clashes with MGM Television – and the legal drama L.A. Law.
Masius’s career recognition extended beyond Emmys, encompassing Writers Guild Awards, Humanitas Prizes, a Peabody Award, and a People’s Choice Award.
He is survived by his children Hannah, Max, and Sam, and his former partner Bry – his companion from 1986 to 1999 – who also appeared as Shirley Daniels on St. Elsewhere.