Where Are They Now?: Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson - "Captain J.D. Morales"
(June 13, 1918 - April 8, 1996)      

Mini Biography:

Born in Oklahoma, Ben Johnson was a ranch hand and rodeo preformer when, in 1940, Howard Hughes hired him to take a load of horses to California. He decided to stick around (the pay was good), and for some years was a stunt man, horse wrangler, and double for such stars as John Wayne, Gary Cooper and James Stewart. His break came when John Ford noticed him and gave him a part in an upcoming film, and eventually a star part in Wagon Master (1950). He left Hollywood in 1953 to return to rodeo, where he won a world roping championship, but at the end of the year he had barely cleared expenses. The movies paid better, and were less risky, so he returned to the west coast and a career that saw him in over 300 movies.

Guide

Trivia:

Nickname : Son

Height : 6' 2" (1.88 m)

Died of a heart attack while visiting his mother in the retirement community where, not only she, but he himself lived.

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.

A prize belt buckle that he won for calf roping was stolen from his car when he visited Houston in 1976; on a repeat visit a decade later, he was an on-air guest on radio station KIKK when a caller returned the buckle to him.

Johnson and his father, Ben Johnson, Sr., were champion steer ropers. The senior Johnson was also a cattleman and rancher who was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1961. The younger Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1982.

Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1982.

His father, Ben Johnson, Sr., was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the Rodeo Historical Society (a support group of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum) in 1961. The Ben Johnson Memorial Award, in honor of his father, is awarded annually to prominent representatives of the western character and spirit (since 1998).

Johnson, his father, and nephew have Belt-Buckle awards for team roping.

Had Cherokee and Irish blood.

He initially turned down the role of Sam the Lion in The Last Picture Show (1971) when it was first offered to him by Peter Bogdanovich because he thought the script was "dirty," and he did not approve of swearing and nudity in motion pictures. Bogdanovich appealed to John Ford, who got Johnson to change his mind as a favor to him. With the permission of Bogdanovich, Johnson rewrote his part with the offensive words removed. Johnson went on to win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for playing the role.

Johnson got his first big break as a member of John Ford's stock company in the late 1940s. However, during the making of Rio Grande (1949), Johnson and Ford had a brief verbal argument. All seemed well afterward, and nothing further was said of it, so Ben assumed it was completely blown over. However, Ford didn't use Johnson again in another picture for 14 years, when Ben played a small part in Cheyenne Autumn (1964). Johnson's lifelong friend Harry Carey Jr. said he believed the reason was that when Ford was casting The Sun Shines Bright (1953), Johnson's agent heard that Ford wanted him for the part, called Ford--without Johnson's knowledge--and demanded a hefty salary. Outraged at having been squeezed like that, Ford held it against Johnson, and used that and the argument they had during "Rio Grance" as an excuse not to use him again. They did manage to maintain a friendly relationship nonetheless.

Was in three movies in a row where his first name was Travis: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), Sergant Travis Tyree; Wagon Master (1950), Travis Blue; Rio Grande (1950), Trooper Travis Tyree.

Also doubled for Randolph Scott.


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Filmography

Filmography

  • The Evening Star (1996) .... Arthur Cotton
  • Ruby Jean and Joe (1996) (TV) .... Big Man
  • Bonanza: Under Attack (1995) (TV) .... Bronc Evans
  • Angels in the Outfield (1994) .... Hank Murphy
    ... aka Angels (UK)
  • Outlaws: The Legend of O.B. Taggart (1994)
  • Bonanza: The Return (1993) (TV) .... Bronc Evans
  • Radio Flyer (1992) .... Geronimo Bill
  • My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (1991) .... Jesse Dalton
  • The Chase (1991) (TV) .... Laurienti
  • Back to Back (1990) .... Eli Hix

  • The Last Ride (1989)
  • Dark Before Dawn (1988) .... The Sheriff
  • Stranger on My Land (1988) (TV) .... Vern Whitman
  • Cherry 2000 (1987) .... Six-Fingered Jake, Tracker
  • Let's Get Harry (1986) .... Harry Burck Sr.
    ... aka The Rescue
  • "Dream West" (1986) TV mini-series .... Jim Bridger
  • Trespasses (1986) .... August Klein
  • Wild Horses (1985) (TV) .... Bill Ward
  • Red Dawn (1984) .... Mason
  • Champions (1984) .... Burly Cocks
  • The Shadow Riders (1982) (TV) .... Uncle 'Black Jack' Traven
    ... aka Louis L'Amour's The Shadow Riders
  • Tex (1982) .... Cole Collins
  • Ruckus (1981) .... Mr. Sam Bellows
    ... aka Big Ruckus in a Small Town (USA: video title)
    ... aka Ruckus in Madoc Country
    ... aka The Loner
  • Terror Train (1980) .... Carne, Train Conductor
    ... aka Monstre du train, Le (Canada: French title)
    ... aka Train of Terror
  • The Hunter (1980) .... Sheriff Strong
  • "Wild Times" (1980) TV mini-series .... Doc Bogardus
  • Soggy Bottom, U.S.A. (1980) .... Isum Gorch
    ... aka Swamp Rats
    ... aka The Soggy Bottom Gang from Soggy Bottom U.S.A (USA: poster title)

  • The Sacketts (1979) (TV) .... Cap Roundtree
    ... aka The Daybreakers (USA: cut version)
  • The Swarm (1978) .... Felix
  • Grayeagle (1977) .... John Colter
  • The Greatest (1977) .... Hollis
  • The Savage Bees (1976) (TV) .... Sheriff Donald McKew
  • The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976) .... Captain J.D. Morales
  • Hustle (1975) .... Marty Hollinger
  • Breakheart Pass (1975) .... Pearce
  • Bite the Bullet (1975) .... Mister
  • Locusts (1974) (TV) .... Amos Fletcher
  • The Sugarland Express (1974) .... Captain Harlin Tanner
  • Blood Sport (1973) (TV) .... Dwayne Birdsong
  • Runaway! (1973) (TV) .... Holly Gibson
    ... aka The Frozen Passage (UK: theatrical title)
    ... aka The Runaway Train (UK)
  • Kid Blue (1973) .... Sheriff 'Mean John' Simpson
  • Dillinger (1973) .... Melvin Purvis
  • The Red Pony (1973) (TV) .... Jess Taylor
  • The Train Robbers (1973) .... Jesse
  • The Getaway (1972) .... Jack Beynon
  • Junior Bonner (1972) .... Buck Roan
  • Corky (1972) .... Boland
  • Something Big (1971) .... Jesse Bookbinder
  • "Gunsmoke" .... Ben Crown / ... (3 episodes, 1963-1971)
    ... aka Gun Law (UK)
    ... aka Marshal Dillon (USA: rerun title)
        - Drago (1971) TV episode .... Hannon
        - Quaker Girl (1966) TV episode .... Vern Morland
        - Quint-Cident (1963) TV episode .... Ben Crown
  • The Last Picture Show (1971) .... Sam the Lion
  • "Bonanza" .... Deputy Sheriff Stan Mace / ... (3 episodes, 1962-1971)
    ... aka Ponderosa (USA: rerun title)
        - Top Hand (1971) TV episode .... Kelly James
        - Deserter, the (II) (1969) TV episode .... Sgt. Samuel Bellis
        - The Gamble (1962) TV episode .... Deputy Sheriff Stan Mace
  • The Bull of the West (1971) (TV) .... Spinner
    ... aka Hot Lead
    ... aka Vengeance Is the Spur (USA)
  • Chisum (1970) .... James Pepper

  • The Undefeated (1969) .... Short Grub
  • The Wild Bunch (1969) .... Tector Gorch
  • "Disneyland" (2 episodes, 1969)
    ... aka Disney's Wonderful World (USA: new title)
    ... aka The Disney Sunday Movie (USA: new title)
    ... aka The Magical World of Disney (USA: new title)
    ... aka The Wonderful World of Disney (USA: new title)
    ... aka Walt Disney (USA: new title)
    ... aka Walt Disney Presents (USA: new title)
    ... aka Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (USA: new title)
        - Ride a Northbound Horse: Part 2 (1969) TV episode
        - Ride a Northbound Horse: Part 1 (1969) TV episode
  • "The Virginian" .... Jed Cooper / ... (4 episodes, 1963-1968)
    ... aka The Men from Shiloh (USA: new title)
        - Vision of Blindness (1968) TV episode .... Jed Cooper
        - Johnny Moon (1967) TV episode .... Joe Hogan
        - Dangerous Road (1965) TV episode .... Jim Brandt
        - Duel at Shiloh (1963) TV episode .... Spinner
  • Hang 'Em High (1968) .... Marshal Dave Bliss
  • Will Penny (1968) .... Alex (Flat Iron Ranch foreman)
  • Hour of the Gun (1967) (uncredited) .... Man hired by Clanton for $50
  • "The Monroes" .... Sleeve (26 episodes, 1966-1967)
        - Ghosts of Paradox (1967) TV episode .... Sleeve
        - Teaching the Tiger to Purr (1967) TV episode .... Sleeve
        - Manhunt (1967) TV episode .... Sleeve
        - Trapped (1967) TV episode .... Sleeve
        - Wild Bull (1967) TV episode .... Sleeve
          (21 more)
  • "ABC Stage 67" .... Sheriff Barbee (1 episode, 1966)
        - Noon Wine (1966) TV episode .... Sheriff Barbee
  • The Rare Breed (1966) .... Jeff Harter
  • "Branded" .... Bill Latigo (1 episode, 1966)
        - McCord's Way (1966) TV episode .... Bill Latigo
  • "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" .... Burt Wade (1 episode, 1965)
    ... aka The Chrysler Theater
    ... aka Universal Star Time (syndication title)
        - March from Camp Tyler (1965) TV episode .... Burt Wade
  • Major Dundee (1965) .... Sergeant Chillum
  • "Perry Mason" .... Kelly (1 episode, 1964)
        - The Case of the Reckless Rockhound (1964) TV episode .... Kelly
  • Cheyenne Autumn (1964) (uncredited) .... Trooper Plumtree
    ... aka John Ford's Cheyenne Autumn (USA: complete title)
  • "Stoney Burke" .... Rex Donally (1 episode, 1962)
        - Point of Honor (1962) TV episode .... Rex Donally
  • "Have Gun - Will Travel" .... John Anderson / ... (3 episodes, 1960-1962)
        - The Fifth Bullet (1962) TV episode .... John Bartlett
        - The Race (1961) TV episode .... Sam Crabbe
        - A Head of Hair (1960) TV episode .... John Anderson
  • "Route 66" .... Del (1 episode, 1962)
        - A Long Piece of Mischief (1962) TV episode .... Del
  • "Laramie" .... Driver / ... (3 episodes, 1960-1961)
        - Widow in White (1961) TV episode .... Tarp
        - A Sound of Bells (1960) TV episode .... Driver
        - Hour After Dawn (1960) TV episode
  • Tomboy and the Champ (1961) .... Uncle Jim
  • One-Eyed Jacks (1961) .... Bob Amory
  • Ten Who Dared (1960) .... George Bradley

  • "Border Patrol" .... Hank Colman (1 episode, 1959)
    ... aka U.S. Border Patrol (USA)
        - Everglades Story (1959) TV episode .... Hank Colman
  • "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" .... Sheriff (1 episode, 1958)
        - And the Desert Shall Blossom (1958) TV episode .... Sheriff
  • "The Restless Gun" .... Sheriff Tim Malachy (1 episode, 1958)
        - No Way to Kill (1958) TV episode .... Sheriff Tim Malachy
  • "Navy Log" .... Border Patrol Officer (1 episode, 1958)
        - Florida Weekend (1958) TV episode .... Border Patrol Officer
  • "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet" .... Tex Barton (1 episode, 1958)
    ... aka Ozzie and Harriet
        - Top Gun (1958) TV episode .... Tex Barton
  • Fort Bowie (1958) .... Capt. Thomas Thompson
  • Slim Carter (1957) .... Montana Burriss
  • War Drums (1957) .... Luke Fargo
  • "Cavalcade of America" .... Cal Bennett (1 episode, 1956)
    ... aka DuPont Presents the Cavalcade Theatre (USA: fourth season title)
    ... aka DuPont Theater (USA: fifth season title)
        - Once a Hero (1956) TV episode .... Cal Bennett
  • Rebel in Town (1956) .... Frank Mason
  • Oklahoma! (1955) (uncredited) .... Wrangler
  • Shane (1953) .... Chris Calloway
  • Wild Stallion (1952) .... Dan Light
  • Fort Defiance (1951) .... Ben Shelby
  • Rio Grande (1950) .... Trooper Travis Tyree
    ... aka John Ford and Merian C. Cooper's Rio Grande (USA: complete title)
  • Wagon Master (1950) .... Travis Blue

  • She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) .... Sgt. Tyree
  • Mighty Joe Young (1949) .... Gregg
    ... aka Mr. Joseph Young of Africa
  • 3 Godfathers (1948) .... Posse man #1
  • The Gallant Legion (1948) (uncredited) .... Texas Ranger
  • Badman's Territory (1946) (uncredited) .... Deputy Marshal
  • The Naughty Nineties (1945) (uncredited) .... Coach driver
  • Corpus Christi Bandits (1945) (uncredited) .... 2nd Stage Driver
  • Nevada (1944) (uncredited) .... Saloon Patron
  • Tall in the Saddle (1944) (uncredited) .... Townsman
  • The Pinto Bandit (1944) (uncredited) .... Race Contestant
  • Bordertown Gun Fighters (1943) (uncredited) .... Messenger
  • The Outlaw (1943) (uncredited)

  • The Fighting Gringo (1939) (uncredited) .... Mexican Barfly
    • Stunts:
    1. Oklahoma! (1955) (stunt double) (uncredited)

    2. 3 Godfathers (1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
    3. The Kissing Bandit (1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
    4. Red River (1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
    5. The Gallant Legion (1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
    6. Fort Apache (1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
      ... aka War Party
    7. Wyoming (1947) (stunts) (uncredited)
    8. Ramrod (1947) (stunts) (uncredited)
    9. Angel and the Badman (1947) (stunt double) (uncredited)
      ... aka The Angel and the Outlaw
    10. Out California Way (1946) (stunt double: Monte Hale) (uncredited)
    11. Smoky (1946) (stunts) (uncredited)
      ... aka Will James' Smoky (USA: complete title)
    12. Badman's Territory (1946) (stunts) (uncredited)
    13. California Gold Rush (1946) (stunt double) (uncredited)
    14. Santa Fe Saddlemates (1945) (stunt double) (uncredited)
    15. Corpus Christi Bandits (1945) (stunts) (uncredited)
    16. Nevada (1944) (stunt double: Robert Mitchum) (uncredited)
    17. The Old Texas Trail (1944) (stunts) (uncredited)
      ... aka Stagecoach Line (UK)
    18. Tall in the Saddle (1944) (stunts) (uncredited)
    19. Tarzan's Desert Mystery (1943) (stunt double) (uncredited)
      ... aka Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan's Desert Mystery (USA: complete title)
    20. Blazing Guns (1943) (stunts) (uncredited)
    21. Arizona Trail (1943) (stunt double) (uncredited)
    22. Bordertown Gun Fighters (1943) (stunts) (uncredited)
    23. Riders of the Rio Grande (1943) (stunts) (uncredited)
    24. Riders of the Northwest Mounted (1943) (stunt double: Russell Hayden) (uncredited)
    25. The Outlaw (1943) (stunts) (uncredited)
    26. The Durango Kid (1940) (stunt double: Charles Starrett) (uncredited)
      ... aka The Masked Stranger (UK)

    27. The Fighting Gringo (1939) (stunts) (uncredited)
    Soundtrack:
    1. Wagon Master (1950) ("SONG OF THE WAGON MASTER")
    Self:
    1. Ben Johnson: Third Cowboy on the Right (1996) .... Himself
    2. 100 Years of the Hollywood Western (1994) (TV) .... Himself
    3. Warren Oates: Across the Border (1993) .... Himself
    4. Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (1991) .... Himself
    5. Thank Ya, Thank Ya Kindly (1991) (TV) .... Himself
    6. John Ford (1990) (TV) .... Himself

    7. "Oklahoma Passage" (1989) TV mini-series .... Himself
    8. Hollywood on Horses (1989) (V) .... Himself
    9. "Étoiles et toiles" .... Himself (1 episode, 1986)
          - Episode dated 14 April 1986 (1986) TV episode .... Himself

    10. "The Mike Douglas Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 1978)
          - Episode dated 19 January 1978 (1978) TV episode .... Himself
    11. Inside 'The Swarm' (1978) (TV) .... Himself
    12. The 48th Annual Academy Awards (1976) (TV) .... Himself - Co-presenter: Best Actor in a Supporting Role
    13. "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" .... Himself (2 episodes, 1972-1974)
      ... aka The Best of Carson (USA: rerun title)
          - Episode dated 27 December 1974 (1974) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode dated 17 February 1972 (1972) TV episode .... Himself
    14. The Wayne Train (1973) (TV) .... Himself
    15. The 44th Annual Academy Awards (1972) (TV) .... Himself - Winner: Best Actor in a Supporting Role
    Archive Footage:
    1. Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters (2006) (uncredited) .... Sam the Lion
    2. Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade (2004) (TV) .... Himself
    3. AFI's 100 Years, 100 Thrills: America's Most Heart-Pounding Movies (2001) (TV) .... Himself
    4. Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs (2000) (TV)
    5. The 69th Annual Academy Awards (1997) (TV) .... Himself (Memorial Tribute)
    6. "Disneyland"
          - Ten Who Dared (1968) TV episode .... George Bradley

    Picture Gallery