Benjamin Hess "Ben" Slack III

Benjamin "Ben" Hess Slack III, 67, retired actor of stage, screen and television, died on Dec. 13, 2004, of heart failure in his hometown of Baltimore, Md. A graduate of The Calvert Hall High School in Baltimore and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Ben was the son of

Benjamin and Elvira Slack, (deceased) of Middle River, Md.

Ben's 40-year acting career took him to Broadway, Hollywood, and to theaters across the nation. From roles in movies like "Serpico" and "Murder In The First," to television roles in "All In The Family," "The Wonder Years," "The Practice," "Cagney & Lacey," and "Star Trek Next Generation," his first love was always acting. An avid Oriole baseball memorabilia collector, he loved going to baseball games especially spring training, listening to classical music, and researching his Slack family genealogy.

Ben is survived by his son, Anthony Slack of Glen Burnie, Md.; grandchildren, Katie, Kristen and Danielle Slack of Florida; stepdaughter, Leesa Harvey of West Hills, Calif.; and grandchildren, Jacob, Allan and Nicole Harvey of California; cousins, Kathy Davison, Ruth Dickerson, Karen, Art, Kristen, and Mike Abraham of Baltimore, Md.

Memorial services were held at Slack's funeral home in Ellicott City, Md. and in California. Mr. Slack was a longtime member of SAG, AFTRA, and Actor's Equity.