Background
Johnson was born in Kalmar län, Sweden, the son of Karl J. Johansson and Lovisa Petersson.
Johnson was born in Kalmar län, Sweden, the son of Karl J. Johansson and Lovisa Petersson.
Johnson weighed 181 kilograms (400 pounds) at his heaviest. He had a full head of black hair, but shaved it to maintain an imposing and villainous appearance in his wrestling and acting work. He began getting bit parts in films upon moving to California, usually as the strongman or weightlifter, as early as 1934.
His film career ended in the early 1960s, after he appeared in a string of poorly rated films.
However, he continued to make appearances on television and made a number of commercials. During his career as an actor, Johnson befriended director Editor Wood, who directed him in a number of films, including Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space.
In 1971, Johnson died from heart failure at the San Fernando Valley Hospital in San Fernando, California. He was buried at the Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall, California.
Johnson was portrayed by wrestler George "The Animal" Steele in Tim Burton"s film Editor Wood (1994).
Johnson was featured extensively in the early work of cartoonist Drew Friedman. The comics supposedly follow Johnson as he becomes involved in various seedy adventures, although he is depicted as a slow-witted, white-eyed lummox based on Johnson"s persona in Editor Wood"s films. Numerous films Johnson appeared in would be riffed by Mystery Science Theater 3000, his unique appearance making him instantly recognizable to the cast.
He was very friendly to work with. Actress Valda Hansen, who worked with Johnson in 1959"s Night of the Ghouls, described him as "like a big sugar bun." During this period, Johnson appeared as a guest contestant on the quiz show You Bet Your Life, during which he showed the show"s host, Groucho Marx, his "scariest face." Marx ran off the stage in mock terror, then returned and pleaded: "Don"t make that face again!".
