William LeMassena
Born
May 23, 1916
Died
January 19, 1993 (76 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Glen Ridge, New Jersey, USA
William LeMassena (May 23, 1916 – January 19, 1993) was an American actor. He was best known for his roles in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, the film All That Jazz (1979), and the soap opera As the World Turns (1985–1992). LeMassena was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey on May 23, 1916, the son of Margery L. (1883–1942) and William Henry LeMassena (1874–1944). He graduated from New York University.
LeMassena made his acting debut in the 1940 Broadway production of The Taming of the Shrew, starring Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. He then became a regular part of the Lunt's unofficial rep company of actors, including Sydney Greenstreet, Thomas Gomez, and Montgomery Clift, with whom he appeared in There Shall Be No Night and Mexican Mural.
LeMassena was a close friend of Montgomery Clift, with whom he was in a relationship for three years during the early 1940s. Although Clift publicly dated Phyllis Thaxter, he and LeMassena continued to see each other privately during the run of There Shall Be No Night. The relationship ended when LeMassena left to serve overseas. LeMassena said of his relationship with Clift, "…over the course of three years we bared our souls, and found out everything about each other." "Our affair was for me the most beautiful experience in my life.
He died of lung cancer at his home in New Suffolk, New York on January 19, 1993, at age 76.
Known For

See You in the Morning
Larry's Father
1989

Stephen King's Golden Tales
Charles Pennywell (segment "Do Not Open This Box")
1985

Tales from the Darkside
Charles Pennywell · (1 episode)
1984

Montgomery Clift
Self
1983

Rascals and Robbers: The Secret Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn
Judge Thatcher
1982

All That Jazz
Jonesy Hecht
1979

Where’s Poppa?
Judge
1970

The World of Henry Orient
(as William Le Massena)
1964

The Tempest
Antonio
1960
On Borrowed Time
Doctor Evans
1957

Carousel
Heavenly Friend
1956

One Touch of Venus
Zuvetli
1955