Van Johnson

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

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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.

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

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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.

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August 25: August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining....

1916: 1916 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar)...

Newport, Rhode Island: Newport is a city located in Newport County, Rhode Island....

Van Johnson related Images and Photos (experimental)

Van Johnson	Van Johnson Wearing a Polka Dot Shirt Late 1940s	Confidentially Connie Van Johnson Janet Leigh 1953	Big Hangover Van Johnson Elizabeth Taylor 1950
Easy to Wed Van Johnson Esther Williams Lucille Ball 1946	Miracle in the Rain Van Johnson Jane Wyman 1956	Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case Marilyn Maxwell Van Johnson Donna Reed Lionel Barrymore 1943	Van Gogh (DVD)
Joe Johnson	Don Johnson	Rob Johnson	Joe Johnson