J.L. Moreno, the founder of sociodrama and sociometry, is best known for ths impact he had on group psychotherapy, out of which he created psychodrama. This is now one of the most important and popular creative therapies, and is widely practised througout the world. The concept of role was central to Moreno’s theory and throughout his life he played many himself. The authors describe a man who was, among other things, a psychiatrist, dramatist, theologian, inventor and educator, and who made significant contributions in all of these areas in addition to his major influence on social science and group psychotherapy.