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William LeMassena

Actor
Born May 23, 1916Died January 19, 1993 (76 years)
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 (1979), and the soap opera As the World Turns (1985–1992). 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.

LeMassena made his acting debut in the 1940 Broadway production of The Taming of the Shrew, starring Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. He then became a regular part of the Lunt's unofficial rep company of actors, including Sydney Greenstreet, Thomas Gomez, and Montgomery Clift, with whom he appeared in There Shall Be No Night and Mexican Mural.

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.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • Route 66

Known For

  • All That Jazz
  • Carousel
  • Where's Poppa?
  • The Tempest

Filmography

1989
See You in the Morning · as Larry's Father
1985
Stephen King's Golden Tales · as Charles Pennywell (segment "do Not Open This Box")
1983
Tales from the Darkside (TV Series) · as Charles Pennywell
1982
1979
All That Jazz · as Jonesy Hecht
1974
Sandburg's Lincoln (TV Series) · as Senator Remley
1970
Where's Poppa? · as Judge
1965
Inherit the Wind · as Radio Man
1964
The World of Henry Orient · as (as William Le Massena)
1963
The Patriots · as Col. Humphreys
1963
The Patty Duke Show (TV Series) · as Mr. Cameron
1962
Teahouse of the August Moon · as Captain Mclean
1961
The Defenders (TV Series) · as Mr. Graham
1960
Route 66 (TV Series) · as Mr. Spofford
1960
The Tempest · as Antonio
1958
Naked City (TV Series) · as Dr. Thomanini
1956
The Wrong Man · as Sang
1956
Stanley (1956) (TV Series) · as Francisco
1956
As The World Turns (TV Series) · as Ambrose Bingham
1956
Carousel · as Heavenly Friend
1955
One Touch of Venus · as Zuvetli
1950
The Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series) · as James M. Hermann
1948
Studio One (TV Series) · as Cast

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