In Memoriam: Benjamin Hendrickson Page 31

ATWT came to Nashville, Tennessee in 2003 to film on location at Vanderbilt University and I went out and spent the day with the cast and crew. I talked to Ben on the bus for about 30 minutes about losing his mom recently and I had lost my mother also not too long in the past. We talked about how death of a family member changes everything and I remember driving home afterwards thinking how if he didn’t get a grip on his sorrow that I didn’t believe he would be able to go on living. He had such a profound sadness in him. When he lost his brother to a brain tumor I wondered if he would be able to handle the additional grief. When I saw on the internet that he had passed away, my thoughts returned to that conversation we had on the bus. My profound sadness is for all of us who enjoyed his talent on a daily basis whether it was on the set or from our television screens. We are all so much poorer. My prayers go out to all who worked with him and loved him. I will never forget him.

Eileen Hargis

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I have been a fan of ATWT for over 30 years and was shocked and saddened when I heard that Benjamin Hendrickson had committed suicide. In fact, I had to blink my eyes and do a double take just to make sure I was reading the article correctly.

It goes without saying that Benjamin WAS Hal Munson, and I do not think that there is another actor out there that could fill his shoes. Whenever I would sit down and watch ATWT and Ben would be on, he lit up the television screen like lights on a Christmas tree. Benjamin was such a fiery actor and one could tell that he gave 110% to every performance. I cannot begin to say how different it will be now to watch the show without Ben on it. The void is going to be unbelievable.

I would further like to extend my deepest condolences to Ben’s family both on and off screen. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this most difficult time.

Kerri O’Reilly
Troy, Ohio

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Benjamin/Hal:

It sadens me to hear that you left us and the wonderful show you were on ATWT. I wish you could have gotten help from someone, or anyone.

You will truly be missed and the show won’t be the same without you. You made us laugh but also made us believe that even though it was just a soap that it was not any soap it was ATWT and somehow spread your magic acting on us all to watch you and follow you from Hal and Margo to Hal & Barbara. Even Hal & Emily. You gave us your best acting you could give us from the time you started to the time you finished. This fan will miss you, so long friend…..

Nancy L./MN

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I still cannot believe Ben/Hal is gone. I just saw him before the 4th looking so handsome on ATWT. I always had a high regard for his acting and his character, he was such a wonderful presence on the screen and a warm feeling always followed each scene.And now from all I have been reading following his tragic death, he was the same kind, gentle, considerate and caring person off screen. He will be sorely missed, it will take quite awhile before I will be able to watch ATWT without tears for Ben/Hal. We are all stunned still. My sympathy to his personal family members and to his on screen family as well.I can not even imagine the pain they must be feeling and the questions as to why, but only Ben and the Lord knows and I pray for his Peace in his Soul.Feel free with the Angels, let them hold you and float among the clouds, no pain, no depression, just Peace.Your smooth voice and smile will always be in my heart.God Bless your Soul.

A forever Ben/Hal fan.
Anna K. Sacco
Hollywood, Florida

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I knew how he felt when he lost his mother and the depression he was
in. I went through That After my Grandmother Died in 2003. I went
through Depression and Grief that I still go through this day. My Heart
goes out to the Hendrickson Family and May God bless Him. The soap
Community will miss a Great Actor.
>br>Beth Ward
Chapmansboro,TN

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ATWT was one of my mother’s favorite soaps. She got me started watching it. I was shocked to see the “In loving memory” segment at the end of the show. First, we lose the character of Jennifer, which I didn’t take too well, and then we find out that a cast member, Ben, has passed on. This was truly a very sad day! I really liked him as “Hal”. He was a great actor! The kind of father everyone would like to have.My heart goes out to his family and fellow cast members. My deepest sympathy to you all. He will be missed!

Jalynn
Florida

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