In Memoriam: Benjamin Hendrickson Page 13

I have been watching ATWT since I was 5 years old….I am a huge fan and the show seems to be getting better and better. I am now a 32 year old single mother and my 8 year old son is really getting into this show. I was shocked about the passing and apparent suicide of Benjamin Hendrickson. I still remember watching him years ago, when he and Margo had their fling. As time passed he would leave the show for personal reasons, it just was not the same when the part was recast. As much as the character was or is a part of the show that I so dearly love to watch, it will not be the same without him. This is a part that I believe should not be recast, it has not worked in the past and it just won’t be the same without Ben in this important part.

My condolences are with the cast, crew, friends and family of Benjamin Hendrickson. May God be with him and maypeace finallyfind him.God Bless

Christa
Kyle, TX

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Unbelievable. I always tape ATWT and GL. Last night I watched last Wednesday (7-5-06) and started watchinglast Thursday’s
(7-6-06) episodes of ATWT. They were the veryemotional scenes of Jennifer (kudo’s to Jennifer Ferin for her performance) in the hospital with family gathered around. I was watching to see how “Hal” would behave and kept wondering why there wasn’t hardly any emotion flowing from Mr. Hendrickson. Then this morning driving to work I heard the news of his suicide. I haven’t watched anything after that so I don’t know how his performance carries through. It was just a very eerie feeling to me.

I have enjoyed watching Detective Munson for all of his twenty plus years with the show and no one can do it better than he. My condolences to his family, friends, and co-workers. I am but one of thousands who will miss him terribly.

Cherie Headding
Yakima, Washington

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I have not been able to stop sobbing. I just hear the news and had just watched the funeral for Jennifer where Hal stood up there and spoke about how he loved his daughter. I was thinking how wonderful that we had him back on the showand to find out less than an hour later about his passing – I am just devastated. It is few and far between that an actor / character becomes so cherished. He will be missed, truly missed. Hal Munson/ Benjamin Hendrickson you were loved!

Jennifer
Life Long ATWT Fan
Sanford, FL

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I have been a loyal fan of ATWT since “inheriting” the soap from my grandmother and mother for over 25 years. ATWT has always been extremely “high quality” intheir choice of actors for well written parts.

Benjamin’s portrayal of Hal Munson is no exception. My story is more personal, though. When ATWT did their “College Tour” not too long ago, I was privileged, along with my mother, to meet Benjamin. He stayed at a Hotel that I worked at, and Christopher Goutman, the producer, asked the Hotel Manager and I to join them for dinner that evening. We sat with Hunt Block, Benjamin, and several of their staff and it was the time of my life. I have pictures to prove it!! They were “real people” and shared stories with us that I will treasure forever. Benjamin mostly stuck by Chris that night, but the next day….we went to the college campus for the filming, and in-between scenes, my mom sat down next to “Hal” and he was gracious enough for photos, and he shared about the pain of his ailing mother and taking care of her in her ill health, and how painful it was for him. After reading again about him thanking his mom for all she did for him….it is quite clear that he was a man in pain, and the scenes with Jennifer dying, were probably quite difficult for him. It is so sad that he couldn’t work through that pain, with his talent and with so many people that cared about him.

After my mom and I meeting him and spending time with him, his death really is such a tragedy and deeply has saddened us both.Thank you for allowing me to share this with SOD and the fellow fans who appreciated his talent and are sad he is gone.

Sincerely,
Sheryl Feyen
Franklin, Indiana

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I was extremely sadden when I heard the news of Benjamin Hendrickson, as
a long time fan of ATWT (15 yrs) I couldn’t believe it. He was a truly
talented actor and he will be missed by his fans and no doubt his fellow
colleagues. I just wanted to express my feelings for both his family and
friends. We love you, Hal!

Sincerely,
ATWT Fan
JG

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I was shocked and saddened to hear of the suicide of Benjamin Hendrickson. I have been watching ATWT since 1991, and he has been a favorite of mine for all of that time. His raw energy, smoky voice and middle class vibe endeared him to me and countless other fans. It’s easy to sensationalize suicide, but it is much harder to focus on positive memories. I hope that as news unfolds about Mr. Hendrickson’s tragic death, his fans, co-workers, andfamilywill remember what he gave them in the too-short time he had on this earth. My heart aches for this loss that affects all of us.

Mara Bayewitz
Olney, MD

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