John Masius, a renowned writer and producer who won an Emmy for his work on St. Elsewhere and Touched by an Angel, has passed away at 75 after battling ALS for nine months, as confirmed by his ex-wife, actress Ellen Bry.

Masius had a successful television career, creating dramas like Providence and collaborating with stars such as Jada Pinkett Smith and Michael Vartan on Hawthorne.

His remarkable contributions to St. Elsewhere, which aired from 1982 to 1987, earned him two Emmys out of 14 nominations for his work on the series.

Throughout his career, Masius received recognition with several awards, including Writers Guild Awards, Humanitias Prizes, a People’s Choice Award, and the prestigious Peabody Award.

Although he amassed accolades, Masius prioritized the impact of his stories over trophies, valuing how his narratives touched audiences by providing comfort, laughter, and inspiration.

He is survived by his three children, Hannah, Max, and Sam, and his former wife Ellen.

ALS, a rare motor neuron disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death from respiratory failure.

The disease impairs signals between the brain and muscles, impacting movement, speech, breathing, and swallowing. While there is no cure, therapies can help manage symptoms to enhance quality of life.

Notable figures like Stephen Hawking lived with ALS for 55 years, and actor Eric Dane disclosed his diagnosis in April 2025.

Masius began his Hollywood career in the 1980s on CBS’ The White Shadow. He gained prominence with St. Elsewhere, winning Primetime Emmy Awards in 1984 and 1986 and receiving a total of 14 nominations for his work on the acclaimed medical drama.

In 1994, he introduced Touched by an Angel, a beloved CBS series led by Roma Downey, running for nine seasons before Masius stepped back due to executives deeming his vision too dark for network audiences.

He continued his storytelling journey with NBC’s Providence (1999–2002) and later with the TNT drama Hawthorne (2009–2011), featuring Jada Pinkett Smith.

Masius’ diverse portfolio included projects like the short-lived Ferris Bueller sitcom, Showtime’s Dead Like Me, where he succeeded Bryan Fuller due to creative clashes with MGM Television, and the legal drama L.A. Law.

In addition to his Emmy wins, Masius received recognition through Writers Guild Awards, Humanitas Prizes, a Peabody Award, and a People’s Choice Award.

He is survived by his children Hannah, Max, and Sam, and his ex-wife Bry, his partner from 1986 to 1999, who also appeared on St. Elsewhere as Shirley Daniels.