Peter Masterson

American actor, director, producer and playwright (1934–2018), best known for co-writing the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and a long career in stage and screen.

Peter Masterson (June 1, 1934 – December 19, 2018) was an American actor, director, producer and playwright whose work spanned theatre, film and television. He is widely remembered for his role as a character actor in several films of the 1960s and 1970s and for co-writing the book of the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Over a career that moved between stage and screen, Masterson combined acting with creative work behind the scenes.

Early life and background

Born in Houston, Texas, Masterson began his professional life in regional theatre before moving into film and television. His Texas roots informed some of his later creative choices, including the regional subject matter of works he adapted for the stage. Biographical summaries and archival materials note his long association with both New York and Texas theatrical circles.

Career highlights and notable works

Masterson appeared regularly as a supporting actor in motion pictures and television from the 1960s onward. His film acting credits include titles such as Ambush Bay (1966), In the Heat of the Night (1967), Counterpoint (1968), Von Richthofen and Brown (1971), Tomorrow (1972), the landmark horror film The Exorcist (1973), Man on a Swing (1974), and Gardens of Stone (1987). He also worked as a director and producer on various projects and moved between commercial film and stage work throughout his life.

Ambush Bay (1966)
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Counterpoint (1968)
Von Richthofen and Brown (1971)
Tomorrow (1972)
The Exorcist (1973)
Man on a Swing (1974)
Gardens of Stone (1987)

In addition to acting, Masterson had an important role as a writer for the stage. He is best known for co-authoring the book of the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, a show that became a notable commercial success and helped solidify his reputation in American musical theatre. For his contributions to theatre he received critical recognition, including a Drama Desk Award in 1978.

Style, collaborations and distinctions

Masterson was respected as a collaborator who moved comfortably between onstage performance and the creative work of writing and staging shows. His projects often blended elements of Southern Americana with mainstream American theatre traditions, and he worked with a variety of writers, directors and performers over several decades. The Drama Desk Award he received in 1978 marked a high point in his stage career.

Personal life and legacy

Peter Masterson's family includes his daughter, actress Mary Stuart Masterson, who became well known in film and television in her own right. Masterson spent his later years in Kinderhook, New York. He died on December 19, 2018 following a fall at his home, at the age of 84. Obituaries and retrospectives published after his death emphasize his dual career as a reliable character actor and a creative force in American musical theatre.