Theodore Hoffman is a fictional character who was the protagonist in the first season of the series Murder One

Murder One (TV series)

Murder One is an American legal drama series that first aired on the ABC network in the United States in 1995. The series was created by Steven Bochco, Charles H. Eglee, and Channing Gibson.-Premise:...

. He was played by Daniel Benzali

Daniel Benzali

Daniel Benzali is a Brazilian-American stage, television and film actor.-Biography:Benzali was born in Rio de Janeiro to Brazilian Jewish parents...

.

Ted is head of the law firm of Hoffman & Associates, specializing in criminal defense. Though his profession is typically looked down on by many, Ted maintains a high degree of personal and professional integrity, and expects the same from those who work for him. He is not hesitant to fire employees who engage in unethical activities, even when it helps their cases.

After learning of the murder of fifteen-year-old call girl

Call girl

A call girl or female escort is a sex worker who is not visible to the general public; nor does she usually work in an institution like a brothel, although she may be employed by an escort agency...

 Jessica Costello, Ted is hired by millionaire Richard Cross to represent him in the matter. Richard owned the building where Jessica was murdered and has been having an affair with her older sister Julie. Richard insists his innocence though Ted suspects he knows more than he's telling.

After a witness provides Richard with an alibi and charges are dropped, noted movie actor Neil Avedon, who was seeing Jessica, is charged with the crime. At Richard's urging, Ted reluctantly agrees to represent Neil.

Because of Neil's celebrity and the notoriety of the murder, the trial quickly becomes a high-profile media event. Though Richard claims to be Neil's friend, Ted suspects Richard is manipulating events for unknown reasons. After David Blalock, a private investigator working for Ted, claims to have found a video tape undermining Richard's alibi, Blalock is found dead and the tape missing.

The trial also puts a strain on Ted's personal life. His work on the case demands long hours away from his family. He also receives a shock when his daughter is abducted, though she is found safe soon after. The publicity of the trial eventually becomes too much for Ted's wife Annie and she files for divorce.

After a lengthy and exhausting trial with many twists and turns, the jury finds Neil guilty of murder. While preparing the appeal, Ted recalls Richard's history of being a voyeur, and begins to suspect that he may have installed a camera in Jessica's bedroom, a camera that may have recorded her murder.

With the help of Ray Velacek, Blalock's successor, they sneak in to the apartment and find the camera, though the tape has been removed. Ted urges Richard, who is now dying of AIDS

AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...

, to give him the tape. Jessica's real killer is revealed on the tape and Neil is exonerated. With the pressure of the trial finally behind him, Ted eventually leaves the firm to attempt a reconciliation with his wife.

In December 2010, Benzali joined ABC's General Hospital

General Hospital

General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....

as Theodore Hoffman, a big shot lawyer. There is no official connection between the two shows but the irony may be a little tongue in cheek type humor done by the directors/writers of General Hospital.