Stocky, versatile, and wonderfully engaging character actor Ben Hammer was born on December 8, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York. Hammer often portrayed judges, priests, doctors, and other such authority figures in a slew of films and TV shows alike. Ben's most memorable movie roles were a square middle-aged scientist in the terrific sci-fi/horror exploitation cult classic "Invasion of the Bee Girls," Young Dar's father in the delightful fantasy adventure "The Beastmaster," and feisty old guy Hal in the excellent "Survival Quest." Hammer had a recurring part as Judge Herman Mooney on the hit TV show "Law & Order." Among the many television programs Ben did guest spots on are "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."

Moreover, Hammer has also had an extremely lengthy and distinguished career acting in Broadway plays. He made his Broadway stage debut in 1956 in "The Great Sebastians." Other plays Ben acted in are "The Tenth Man," "The Deputy," "The Three Sisters," "The Crucible," "Golda," and "The Gathering." Hammer married his potter wife Dorothea on December 21, 1958. Hammer died at age 92 on September 18, 2017. He was survived by two daughters.