Richard Johnson (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Johnson
Richard Johnson, c. 2008
Born	Richard Keith Johnson (1927-07-30)30 July 1927 Upminster, Essex, England
Died	5 June 2015(2015-06-05) (aged 87) Chelsea, London, England
Alma mater	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Years active	1950–2014
Spouse(s)	Sheila Sweet ​ ​ (m. 1957; div. 1962)​ Kim Novak ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1966)​ Marie-Louise Norlund ​ ​ (m. 1982; div. 1989)​ Lynne Gurney ​ ​ (m. 1989)​
Partner(s)	Françoise Pascal
Children	4, including Jervis

Richard Keith Johnson (born July 30, 1927 – died June 5, 2015) was a famous English actor, writer, and producer. People said he was a calm and strong actor. He was a regular face in British movies and TV shows from the 1960s to the 2010s. He often played smart and important characters.

He also had a great career in theatre, especially with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Some even called him the best romantic actor of his time!

About Richard Johnson

Early Life and First Steps in Acting

Richard Johnson was born in Upminster, Essex, England. His parents were Frances Louisa Olive and Keith Holcombe Johnson.

Richard went to Felsted School. He wanted to be an actor, not join his family's paint business. He studied acting at RADA. Because of World War II, he started acting professionally quite early. His first play was Hamlet in Manchester in 1944. He served in the Royal Navy from 1945 to 1948.

Starting on Screen and Stage

Johnson first appeared on screen in a TV show called Tusitala for BBC Sunday-Night Theatre. His first movie role was in Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951). He also appeared in Calling Bulldog Drummond (1951).

He worked at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre from 1952 to 1957. He later said it was an exciting time to be part of that group.

Johnson played Mr. Wickham in a 1952 TV show of Pride and Prejudice. He was also D'Artagnan in a TV version of The Three Musketeers (1952). He appeared in many other TV shows and films during this time.

In 1958, he played Romeo in Romeo and Juliet at Stratford. He also appeared in TV shows like Assignment Foreign Legion and The Buccaneers.

Joining the Royal Shakespeare Company

In 1958, Johnson was in Peter Hall's first play at the theatre, Cymbeline. Critics praised his acting, calling him "The finest romantic actor of his generation."

Johnson also played the main role in Pericles, Prince of Tyre in 1958. The same year, he was in Twelfth Night.

In 1959, Peter Hall took over the company, which was renamed the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). Johnson was one of the first actors to be named an Associate Artist of the RSC. He kept this important position until he passed away.

Working with MGM

After his successful stage performances, MGM offered Johnson a long-term contract in 1959. His first movie for them was Never So Few (1959) with Frank Sinatra.

Johnson later said he didn't see himself as a big movie star. But he found it exciting to work with actors he admired, like Gary Cooper and Spencer Tracy.

He was the first choice for James Bond in the very first Bond movie. However, he had to say no because he was already working for MGM. Johnson believed that Sean Connery, who got the role instead, made Bond funny and helped the movies become a huge success.

Johnson continued to act in plays and TV shows. In 1961–62, he performed on Broadway in The Complaisant Lover. He also starred in movies like Cairo (1963) and 80,000 Suspects (1963).

He was in The Haunting (1963). The director, Robert Wise, thought Johnson would become a big star.

Johnson also wrote a play called The Golden Age. It was based on poems and speeches from the time of Queen Elizabeth I.

Becoming a Film Star

In 1965, Johnson starred with Kim Novak in The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders. After filming, Johnson and Novak got married. Around this time, he also became interested in writing and directing.

He played Colonel Stewart in Khartoum (1966) with Charlton Heston.

Johnson was the main actor in the Italian horror film The Witch (1966). Then he played Bulldog Drummond in Deadlier Than the Male (1967). This was an adventure movie similar to James Bond. Johnson said he tried to be more "physical" in this role.

He also starred in other spy films like Danger Route (1967) and A Twist of Sand (1968). He played Horatio Nelson in Emma Hamilton (1968). He played Drummond again in Some Girls Do (1969).

Johnson later remembered earning a lot of money during this time. He said he enjoyed it, knowing it wouldn't last forever.

He played Rembrandt for British TV in 1969. He was also Cassius in Charlton Heston's movie version of Julius Caesar (1970).

Back to Theatre

In 1972, Johnson returned to theatre. He played Antony in Antony and Cleopatra at Stratford. He continued to act on TV in shows like Thriller (1973). He also filmed his Antony and Cleopatra for TV in 1974.

He appeared in horror films like Beyond the Door (1974). He also wrote the original story for the film Hennessy (1975).

Johnson was in episodes of many TV shows, including Space: 1999 and Hart to Hart. He also appeared in several films, often in adventure or horror genres.

In the 1980s, Johnson continued to act in TV shows like Tales of the Unexpected and Magnum, P.I..

Becoming a Producer

In 1982, Johnson helped start a film and theatre company called United British Artists (UBA). He created it with other actors like Albert Finney and Maggie Smith. Johnson wanted actors to have more control over their projects.

He acted in and helped produce The Biko Inquest (1984). He also acted in What Waits Below (1985) and produced Turtle Diary (1985). He also worked as a producer on Castaway (1986).

However, the company eventually ran out of money. Johnson decided to focus on acting again, which he loved most.

As an actor, he appeared in Lady Jane (1986). He also worked with Charlton Heston again in A Man for All Seasons (1988) and Treasure Island (1990).

In 1992, Johnson returned to the RSC after 25 years. He appeared in a play called All's Well that Ends Well.

He continued to act in many TV shows and films throughout the 1990s. After a third divorce and financial problems, he needed to work more. He joked that at his age, there was less competition because other actors were "dying."

Later Career

In his later career, Johnson continued to act in plays and TV shows. He was in The Seagull in 2000. He also appeared in movies like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001).

He played important historical figures in TV movies. He was Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma in Whatever Love Means (2005). He also played Stanley Baldwin in Wallis & Edward (2005).

From 2007 to 2012, he was the main voice actor in the BBC radio comedy series Bleak Expectations. He also had a successful stage show called On Golden Pond.

His later films included The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008). He had a good role in Radiator (2015), which he felt was very well written. His last film was The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015).

Other Work and Personal Life

Throughout his career, Johnson taught young actors. He taught at American universities and summer schools at RADA. He was also a member of the Council of RADA and BAFTA.

Johnson wrote travel articles for The Mail on Sunday newspaper. He also had a blog and website called The Shakespeare Masterclass, where he shared his knowledge.

Richard Johnson was married four times. He had two children with his first wife, Sheila Sweet: Jervis Johnson and Sorel Johnson. His second wife was actress Kim Novak. They did not have children together but remained friends. He had another daughter, Jennifer, with his third wife, Marie-Louise Norlund. He also had a son, Nicholas, with Françoise Pascal. He married Lynne Gurney in 1989.

Johnson also started an organization called It's a Green Green World. It listed hotels that were good for the environment.

Death

Richard Johnson passed away on June 5, 2015. He was 87 years old. He died after a short illness at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, London.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

• Acting
• Film
• Theatre
• Royal Shakespeare Company
• James Bond
• Producer

In Spanish: Richard Johnson (actor) para niños