Ben Byer (January 8, 1971 – July 3, 2008) was an American stage actor and playwright. His experiences after being diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are documented in the 2007 film Indestructible.
Ben Byer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Benjamin Saul Byer January 8, 1971 |
| Died | July 3, 2008 (aged 37) |
| Cause of death | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
| Resting place | Shalom Memorial Park Arlington Heights, Illinois |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Spouse | Josephine Christopher |
| Children | 1 |
Biography
editEarly life and education
editBenjamin Saul Byer was born January 8, 1971, to Barbara and Stephen Byer. One of five children, he graduated from Evanston Township High School. He studied journalism at Indiana University and film theory at the University of Paris.[1]
Career
editByer began his career as a translator at the Cannes Film Festival, which led him to theatre and movie industry jobs in Los Angeles. He also worked in theatre in Chicago as a playwright and actor. He directed his first play, Take it Deep, in 2000.[1]
After being diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2002, he began documenting his life on camera. He spent the next three years keeping a video diary as he sought treatments[2] in six countries, including having fetal cells injected directly into his brain in 2004. Although Byer did show improvements in his speech in the days following the procedure, the improvements did not last. Within the first month following the procedure, his previous ALS symptoms had returned.[3] His footage was incorporated into film shot by Roko Belic to form the 2007 documentary film Indestructible film.
Marriage and children
editByer and his wife, Josephine Christopher, adopted a son, John Anthony Byer, shortly before his diagnosis with ALS.[4]
Death and afterward
editByer died of ALS complications on July 3, 2008, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was interred at Shalom Memorial Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Awards
editBen Byer won the award of Best Documentary Film at the 2008 Byron Bay International Film Festival for the movie Indestructible. Top Ten documentaries of all time.
Published works
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Owen, Mary (2008-07-09). "Ben Byer 1971-2008; ALS sufferer made film about disease". Chicago Tribune.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Sutton, Jacqueline (2008-01-31). "Indestructible". The Daily Cardinal. Archived from the original on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- ^ Indestructible. Dir. Ben Byer. Perf. Ben Byer, et al. 2008
- ^ Reid, Kerry (2004-01-23). "OUR TOWN; The Show Will Go On". Chicago Reader.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Nemtusak, Brian (2001-06-15). "MINI-REVIEW (THEATER); Take It Deep". Chicago Reader.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Bainbridge, Mary Shen (2003-05-21). "THEATER Versailles". Windy City Times.