John Masius, ‘Touched by an Angel’ Creator and ‘St. Elsewhere’ Emmy Winner, Dies at 75

John Masius, the acclaimed television writer and producer, has died. He was 75 years old. Masius passed away at his Los Angeles home on Saturday.

His death followed a nine-month battle with ALS. The news was confirmed by his ex-wife, actress Ellen Bry.

A Legacy of Heartfelt and Groundbreaking Television

Masius co-created the legendary NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere. His work on the show earned him two Emmy Awards for writing. He received a total of 14 nominations for his contributions to the series.

He later created the uplifting CBS drama Touched by an Angel. That show became a massive ratings success. It starred Roma Downey and Della Reese and aired for nine seasons.

Masius also created the popular NBC drama Providence. It starred Melina Kanakaredes and ran for five seasons. According to The Hollywood Reporter, both series were known for their warmth and emotional depth.

From Waiter to Award-Winning Writer

Masius began his career in a surprising way. He was working as a waiter in Los Angeles when he met producer Bruce Paltrow. That chance encounter led to a job on Paltrow’s series, The White Shadow.

He quickly rose from production assistant to writer on the show. He earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding drama series in 1981. Masius, Paltrow, and Mark Tinker then developed St. Elsewhere for NBC.

His career spanned decades and included many other projects. He worked on L.A. Law, created TNT’s Hawthorne, and wrote for Showtime’s Dead Like Me.

John Masius leaves behind a profound legacy in television history. His stories provided comfort and inspiration to millions of viewers worldwide. His work on both groundbreaking and heartfelt dramas cemented his status as a true creative force.

Thought you’d like to know

What was John Masius’s cause of death?

John Masius died from complications of ALS. His health had declined over a nine-month period before his passing.

For which shows did John Masius win Emmy Awards?

He won two Emmy Awards for his writing on the NBC medical drama *St. Elsewhere*. He was nominated a total of 14 times for his work on the series.

How long did ‘Touched by an Angel’ run on television?

*Touched by an Angel* was a major hit for CBS. It aired for nine successful seasons, from 1994 to 2003.

What other notable shows did John Masius create?

Beyond *St. Elsewhere* and *Touched by an Angel*, Masius created the NBC drama *Providence* and the TNT series *Hawthorne* starring Jada Pinkett Smith.

Who announced John Masius’s death?

His death was announced by his ex-wife, actress Ellen Bry. She played Nurse Shirley Daniels on *St. Elsewhere* and was married to Masius for 13 years.