Ben Roberts, born Benjamin Eisenberg on June 23, 1916, in Brooklyn, New York, was a highly influential screenwriter, producer, and showrunner whose work left an indelible mark on television and cinema. Best known for his collaborations with fellow writer Ivan Goff, Roberts co-created some of the most beloved and enduring television series of the 20th century, including Mannix and Charlie’s Angels. His career spanned more than four decades, during which he contributed to the rise of crime dramas, action series, and classic Hollywood films that continue to resonate with audiences today. With his sharp storytelling instincts and ability to create compelling characters, Roberts became a key figure in shaping the landscape of American television.
Early Life and the Path to Screenwriting
Ben Roberts was born into a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a vibrant city that exposed him to a wide array of cultural influences, which would later inform his work as a writer. Roberts was a voracious reader from an early age, developing a keen interest in storytelling, particularly in crime fiction and drama. His fascination with characters and narratives revolving around mystery, danger, and the human condition became a central theme in his later writing.
Roberts’ early education was grounded in the humanities, and after graduating from high school, he pursued a degree in journalism. His work as a journalist provided him with valuable experience in writing concise, compelling stories. However, like many young writers of the era, Roberts was drawn to Hollywood, where the booming film industry offered an exciting platform to explore creative storytelling on a grander scale. After World War II, Roberts moved to Los Angeles, where he transitioned from journalism to screenwriting.
His entry into Hollywood was gradual, but by the late 1940s, Roberts had begun to make a name for himself as a promising writer with a gift for dialogue and narrative structure. It was during this period that he met Ivan Goff, a fellow screenwriter from Australia, and the two would go on to form one of the most successful writing partnerships in television history.
Collaboration with Ivan Goff and Hollywood Success
The partnership between Ben Roberts and Ivan Goff became one of the defining collaborations in Hollywood during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The two writers had a remarkable creative synergy, each complementing the other’s strengths. While Goff often focused on story development and broad narrative arcs, Roberts was known for his precision with dialogue, pacing, and character development. Together, they crafted some of the most memorable stories in film and television.
Their first major success came in 1949 when they co-wrote the screenplay for White Heat, a classic film noir directed by Raoul Walsh and starring James Cagney as the psychotic gangster Cody Jarrett. White Heat is widely considered one of the greatest crime films ever made, and Roberts and Goff’s screenplay played a significant role in its success. The film’s exploration of criminal psychology, the intensity of its dialogue, and its unforgettable climax helped cement Roberts and Goff as major screenwriting talents.
The film’s iconic final scene—where Jarrett yells, “Made it, Ma! Top of the world!” before meeting his fiery demise—became an indelible moment in cinema history. The success of White Heat led to more opportunities for the writing duo, and over the next decade, Roberts and Goff worked on several high-profile film projects, often focusing on crime, action, and psychological thrillers. Their films from this period include The Man of a Thousand Faces (1957), a biographical drama about the life of silent film star Lon Chaney, and Shake Hands with the Devil (1959), a war drama set during the Irish War of Independence.
Transition to Television and the Birth of Mannix
By the mid-1960s, as television began to emerge as a dominant medium for storytelling, Ben Roberts and Ivan Goff made a significant transition from film to television writing and producing. Their expertise in crime and action genres made them ideal candidates to help shape the television landscape, which was hungry for fast-paced, character-driven dramas.
In 1967, the duo created Mannix, a detective series that would become one of the longest-running and most popular crime shows of the era. The series starred Mike Connors as Joe Mannix, a private investigator who often found himself in dangerous situations while pursuing justice for his clients. Mannix was known for its high-stakes action, complex plots, and Connors’ rugged portrayal of the title character.
Mannix was a major success, running for eight seasons from 1967 to 1975. The show not only became a staple of prime-time television but also broke new ground in terms of representation. Gail Fisher, who played Mannix’s secretary Peggy Fair, became one of the first African-American actresses to have a major, recurring role on a television drama. Her portrayal of a strong, intelligent, and capable character was groundbreaking at the time and earned her an Emmy Award in 1970.
Roberts and Goff’s work on Mannix showcased their ability to bring cinematic sensibilities to television, using fast-paced action sequences, sophisticated storytelling, and strong character development to keep audiences engaged. The success of the show also reinforced their reputation as a powerhouse creative team in Hollywood.
The Cultural Impact of Charlie’s Angels
While Mannix was a significant achievement, Ben Roberts and Ivan Goff’s most culturally impactful creation came in 1976 with Charlie’s Angels. Co-created by Roberts and Goff and produced by Aaron Spelling, Charlie’s Angels became a television phenomenon and one of the defining shows of the 1970s. Starring Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith as three female detectives working for a mysterious boss named Charlie, the show broke new ground by placing women at the forefront of an action-packed, crime-solving series.
At its core, Charlie’s Angels was a bold departure from the male-dominated detective shows of the time. Roberts and Goff’s writing presented the Angels as smart, resourceful, and capable, redefining the role of women in television by placing them in action-oriented roles traditionally reserved for men. The show’s glamorous stars, thrilling plots, and a mix of humor and adventure made it a ratings juggernaut. Fawcett’s feathered hairstyle became iconic, and Charlie’s Angelscemented its place in pop culture history almost overnight.
Though often criticized for its focus on the actresses’ appearance, Charlie’s Angels was groundbreaking for its time in portraying women as independent and empowered. Roberts and Goff crafted narratives that allowed the characters to take control of their situations, outsmarting criminals while still maintaining their charm and femininity. The show ran for five successful seasons and has since been rebooted and reimagined in several films, proving its lasting impact.
Later Career and Legacy
After the success of Charlie’s Angels, Ben Roberts continued to work in television, although none of his later projects reached the same level of cultural impact as Mannix and Charlie’s Angels. He remained an important figure in the entertainment industry, respected for his decades of contributions to both film and television.
Throughout his career, Roberts was known for his ability to craft characters that resonated with audiences, particularly in the action and crime genres. His partnership with Ivan Goff was one of Hollywood’s most enduring and successful collaborations, producing a body of work that continues to be celebrated today. Together, Roberts and Goff helped shape the way crime stories were told on screen, blending suspense, action, and character development in a way that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
Ben Roberts passed away on May 12, 1984, but his legacy endures through the enduring popularity of the shows and films he helped create. His work on Mannix, Charlie’s Angels, and White Heat remains a testament to his skill as a storyteller and his understanding of what makes a compelling narrative. His contributions to television and cinema continue to inspire writers, producers, and creators in the industry.
Through his collaboration with Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts helped shape television history, and his impact on crime dramas, action series, and strong character-driven storytelling is still felt today. Whether through the adventures of Joe Mannix or the iconic trio of Charlie’s Angels, Roberts’ work has left an indelible mark on the entertainment world.