Peter Masterston, a multifaceted creative force, is renowned for his groundbreaking work in transforming Larry L. King's "Playboy" magazine article, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," into a resounding Broadway musical success, earning him two prestigious Tony nominations.
Notably, he also wrote the screenplay for the 1982 film adaptation, which starred Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton. However, Masterston lamented that Reynolds, at the height of his stardom, had altered the character and dialogue of the sheriff to reflect his own persona, ultimately compromising the film's integrity.
Prior to his triumph with "Whorehouse," Masterston had an unremarkable acting career spanning from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s, when he redirected his focus towards directing with "The Trip to Bountiful" in 1985. This film, adapted by his cousin Horton Foote from Foote's own play, achieved significant acclaim, with Geraldine Page receiving the Academy Award for Best Actress.