Van Johnson

Van Johnson (born Charles Van Johnson on August 25, 1916, in Newport, Rhode Island) is an American film and television actor.

Related Topics:
August 25 - 1916 - Newport, Rhode Island - Film - Television - Actor

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Johnson was born to parents Charles E. Johnson (who was born in Sweden) and Loretta, who was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. His acting career fully began in earnest in 1936, just as the United States was negotiating to enter World War II, in the Broadway revue New Faces of 1936. In 1939 he landed a part in Rodgers and Hart's Too Many Girls in the role of a college boy (after being Gene Kelly's understudy in Pal Joey). RKO then signed him to a short-term contract to star in the film adaptation of the play which became Johnson's film debut. MGM picked up his contract from RKO soon after and cast him in several bit parts. In 1942, while en route to a preview screening for Keeper of the Flame, he was involved in a car crash that left him with a metal plate in his forehead. This left him exempt from service in World War II. After this incident, MGM built up his image as the "all-american boy" by co-starring him in films with June Allyson and Esther Williams, among others. He also had his fair share of serious roles in films such as A Guy Named Joe and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo.

Related Topics:
Sweden - Pennsylvania Dutch - 1936 - United States - World War II - Broadway - 1939 - Rodgers and Hart - Gene Kelly - Pal Joey - RKO - MGM - 1942 - Keeper of the Flame - June Allyson - Esther Williams - Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo

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When the studio system declined in the mid-1950's, Johnson's popularity did also due to his heavier-set appearance. He then left MGM for Columbia Pictures to co-star in The Caine Mutiny (1954) to much acclaim (His scar from the car crash is very visible in this film). Since 1960, his film career has been inconsistent.

Related Topics:
Columbia Pictures - The Caine Mutiny - 1954 - 1960

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Johnson has guest-starred on television shows such as Batman, Here's Lucy, and The Love Boat.

Related Topics:
Batman - Here's Lucy - The Love Boat

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In 1963, he underwent treatment for skin cancer.

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In 1985, he enjoyed a sort-of comeback. He toured with the hit Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles and appeared in a supporting role in Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo.

Related Topics:
1985 - Broadway - La Cage aux Folles - Woody Allen - The Purple Rose of Cairo

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At the moment, he is enjoying a quiet life in retirement in Nyack, New York with his current partner. He is estranged from his daughter, Schuyler Johnson, from his marriage to the late Eve Lynn Abbott, who was formerly married to the late actor, Keenan Wynn. She married Johnson under pressure from MGM Chief Louis B. Mayer (due to rumours regarding Johnson's sexual orientation) on the day her divorce from Wynn was finalized, January 25, 1947. Their daughter was born a year later and they divorced in 1968.

Related Topics:
Nyack - New York - Keenan Wynn - Louis B. Mayer - January 25 - 1947 - 1968

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