Peter Masterson

Actor, writer, producer and director Peter Masterston is best known for his adaptation of Larry L. King's "Playboy" magazine article "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)" into a smash Broadway musical, for which he received two Tony nominations.

He also was the screenwriter of the underwhelming 1982 film adaptation that starred Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton. Masterston complained that Reynolds, then in full-superstar status, had tinkered with the character and dialog of the sheriff to make him more like Reynolds' own persona, thus fatally flawing the film.

In 1979, was nominated for two Tony Awards for "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas:" as Best Director (Musical,) along with collaborator Tommy Tune, and as Best Book (Musical), along with Larry L. King.

He was nominated for a 1976 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principal Role for his performance in "That Championship Season", at the Arlington Park Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.

Masterson was the subject of a whole chapter in William Goldman's 1969 book "The Season: A Candid Look at Broadway." The book covered a single season (1967-68) in Broadway theater; the chapter focusing on Masterson recounts his experiences starring in the 1967 play "The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald" (written by Amram Ducovny and Leon Friedman); the play only ran for 3 previews and 9 performances, and was considered a flop. Later in their lives, children of both Masterson and Ducovny became acting stars: Masterson's daughter Mary Stuart Masterson (Fried Green Tomatoes) and Ducovny's son David Duchovny ("The X-Files").