50 Greatest Soap Actors: #20 Benjamin Hendrickson

NAME: Benjamin Hendrickson
RANK: 20
SOAP ROLES: Hal Munson, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1985-2004, 2005-2006); Sgt. Bartlett, ANOTHER WORLD (1983); Silas Crocker, GUIDING LIGHT (1981-1983); Chris Shaw, TEXAS (1981)

AWARDS:
2003 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
2002 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
2001 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1995 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor
1990 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor: Daytime
1989 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Hero: Daytime
1988 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role: Daytime

COMMENTS FROM THE PANEL:
Roger Newcomb: What a sad loss for us all that Benjamin Hendrickson is no longer with us. But he left behind an amazing body of work. He was excellent as Silas on GUIDING LIGHT. I never suspected then he would later turn in a 20+ year performance as a lovable soap cop, but he did. Despite Hal Munson's rough edges, you couldn't help but love him because of the charm and depth Hendrickson added to the role. He brought out the best in his co-stars and took a short-term gig and made it last.

Nelson Aspen: Soap's Deniro. Gritty, real, no bullshit.

Lynn Liccardo: Quite simply, the gold standard. I don’t think the Tom/Margo/Hal/Barbara story would have worked with anyone other than Hendrickson as Hal. Some of my favorite scenes were the oh-so-rare rare occasions when Hal and Lucinda went toe-to-toe. He was a lovely, funny man, but always with an undercurrent of sadness in his work.

Damon L. Jacobs: It has become so easy to write off the good-guy cops on soaps.  In a world where criminals and misunderstood bad boys have become the heroes, Hendrickson's portrayal of Hal Munson stands out in regards to the ethics, morality, and the quiet dignity he brought to every scene.  His talents and underrated depth are profoundly missed on the daytime landscape.