Ben Hammer, a stocky and versatile character actor, was born on December 8, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York.
Throughout his illustrious career, Hammer portrayed a wide range of authority figures, including judges, priests, doctors, and more, in numerous films and television shows.
Some of his most notable movie roles include a square, middle-aged scientist in the sci-fi/horror exploitation cult classic "Invasion of the Bee Girls," Young Dar's father in the fantasy adventure "The Beastmaster," and a feisty old guy named Hal in the survival film "Survival Quest."
Hammer also had a recurring role as Judge Herman Mooney on the hit television show "Law & Order," and made guest appearances on various other TV programs, such as "Highway to Heaven," "Airwolf," "T.J. Hooker," "The A-Team," "Fame," "Simon & Simon," "Barney Miller," "CHiPs," "The Incredible Hulk," "Charlie's Angels," "The Streets of San Francisco," "Kojak," "Police Woman," "Mannix," "Ironside," "Mission: Impossible," and "The Virginian."
Ben Hammer's extensive career in theater is equally impressive, with a Broadway stage debut in 1956 in "The Great Sebastians." He went on to act in other notable plays, including "The Tenth Man," "The Deputy," "The Three Sisters," "The Crucible," "Golda," and "The Gathering."
Hammer was married to his potter wife, Dorothea, on December 21, 1958. He passed away at the age of 92 on September 18, 2017, leaving behind two daughters.
