ben johnson actor military service ben johnson actor military service

Participated on board ship in the mission that launched the Doolittle Raid. Handsome heartthrob Rock Hudson's resume includes "Giant" with Elizabeth Taylor and "Pillow Talk" with Doris Day. He trained at the Actors Studio while doing stage work. of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage He was of German, Swiss-German, English, and Irish descent. His parents were Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. His parents were Anna (Boselli), who had emigrated from Carpi (MO), Italy, and Camillo Borgnino, who had emigrated from Ottiglio (AL), Italy. Danny Aiello was an American actor of Italian descent, and enjoyed a lengthy career in film. Richard Harris and Sally Kellerman presenting Ben Johnson with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "Last Picture Show" at the 44th Ac. In 1963, Johnson appeared as Spinner on the TV Western The Virginian in the episode titled "Duel at Shiloh". [3] During shooting, the horses pulling a wagon with three men in it stampeded. Some celebrities, such as Elvis Presley and Clint Eastwood, are well-known as having served in the military; others, like Adam Driver and Ice-T, are not as widely known for their service. Ed Asner got his big break on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and he became such an industry mainstay that he served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981 to 1985. Crozier Technical High School and the University of North Texas (Theatre Arts Major). Services have been set for Carol Elaine Johnson, wife of Academy Award-winning actor Ben Johnson, who died Sunday following an extended illness at an Arizona hospice center. Not only did he make propaganda films for the Army, but he saw action as a tail gunner during five missions over Germany. He entered the marines in the 1950's for two years. As a young man, Franz enlisted in the Army after college and experienced intense combat in Vietnam, where he served with the 82nd Airborne. One of the most distinguished talents in movie history, British actor Laurence Olivier was known for dazzling theater audiences in several of Shakespeare's plays before earning a spot on Hollywood's A-List with big-screen roles in movies like "Wuthering Heights" and "Marathon Man." Jack Warden was born John Warden Lebzelter, Jr. on September 18, 1920 in Newark, New Jersey, to Laura M. (Costello) and John Warden Lebzelter. His National Guard unit was activated into federal service shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. The TV series "M*A*S*H" revolved around an Army hospital surgical unit whose members dealt with tragedy through laughter during the Korean War. Widely regarded as the one of greatest stage and screen actors both in his native USA and internationally, James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi. Hope never actually served himself, but his long list of contributions and seemingly endless USO tours led Congress to enact H.J. He's also a veteran of the military. Awarded the Medal of Honor. He was previously married to Diana Platt and Gavin MacLeod's pleasing, agreeable manner on two hit TV series in the 1970s and '80s belied a number of shady villains he portrayed in his early career. Chuck Norris is familiar to fans worldwide as the star of action films such as The Hitman (1991), The Delta Force (1986) and Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990). A cowboy in real life and on movie screens, Ben "Son" Johnson Jr. earned a best supporting actor Academy Award in 1972 for his work in "The Last Picture Show." He was born in nearby Foraker. He was Navy - lied about his age and enlisted during World War II. Jamie Farr was not the only Korean War veteran to star in "M*A*S*H." Co-star Alan Alda, who won five Emmys and was nominated for 20 more for his role as Hawkeye, served as a gunnery officer in the Army Reserve. With passing years, he matured into a star character actor who exemplified not only integrity and strength, but an ideal of the common man fighting against social injustice and oppression. Born in Oklahoma, Ben Johnson was a ranch hand and rodeo performer Profession Actor. He is an actor and director, known for The Trouble with Harry (1955), Leave It to Beaver (1957) and The Love Boat (1977). Although his resume includes hit shows like "ER," "Blue Bloods," NYPD Blue," and "That '70s Show," Richard Kline is best known for playing one of the most memorable characters in sitcom history: Larry Dallas from "Three's Company." He failed to obtain parts in school Navy - served in the Philippines as an aircraft mechanic during World War II. Raised in a tenement and acting in community theaters since age eight, Nimoy did not make his Hollywood debut until he was 20, with a bit Army - served as a sergeant from 1953 through 1955. She was 73. The first-generation American enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943 and served as an aircraft gunner and Superfortress crewman. Pastore, who served in the Navy from 1964'67, was cast as Salvatore Bonpensiero, a reluctant mob rat in HBO's "The Sopranos.". His great-grandfather was the first Tyrone Power (1795-1841), a famed Irish comedian. Charles Durning was a multi-genre talent who scored multiple Academy Award nominations for movies like "The Best Little Wh**house in Texas" and "To Be or Not to Be," as well as a Tony win for his role in the play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." You know, I'd say that aside from Mr. Ford's [, [on leaving Oklahoma for Hollywood, where he became a horse wrangler [14], For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Johnson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard. Tyrone Power was one of the great romantic swashbuckling stars of the mid-twentieth century, and the third Tyrone Power of four in a famed acting dynasty reaching back to the eighteenth century. Although he joined the Marines after high school, he was medically discharged after just a few months due to asthma. Born Allan George See in Mt. Lean, angular-faced and authoritatively spoken lead / supporting actor Roy Scheider obviously never heard the old actor's axiom about "never appearing with kids or animals" lest they overshadow your performance. 23. He was introduced to martial arts while serving in Korea with the Air Force and went on to become the first Westerner ever to be awarded an eighth-degree black belt in Korean fighting style taekwondo. Since then has appeared in iconic shows as the Twilight Zone, the Red Skelton Hour, the Dick Van Dyke Show, the Danny Kaye Show, Hazel, My Three Sons, Ben Casey, The Lucy Show, I Army - Only cast member of M*A*S*H* to serve during the Korean War. A year after he enlisted, the Navy discovered his real age and discharged him. It was while he was in the army that he made his acting debut, in Army training films, Army - Saw action in the European theater. He has a wealth of films to his credit, most of them Westerns. Jonathan Harshman Winters III was born on November 11, 1925 in Dayton, Ohio. Oliver Stone received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam after enlisting in the Army in 1967. I ran my life a certain way. From "Law & Order: SVU" to "New Jack City," pioneering West Coast rapper Ice-T joined the Army right out of high school as a means to support his daughter and girlfriend. Dennis Franz scored small-screen gold with the role of Andy Sipowicz on the TV series "NYPD Blue." After graduating from Stamford High School in 1946, he turned his attention to his love for Bob Gunton is an American actor, primarily known for portraying strict and authoritarian characters in popular films. Audie Murphy became a national hero during World War II as the most decorated combat soldier of the war. He also saw action at the Battle of the Bulge, was captured, and managed to escape a massacre of American soldiers in Belgium. Neville Brand earned 139 credits over more than 35 years between 1949 and 1985, including "Stalag 17" and "Tora! You may also like: Best artists in country. I didn't hobnob with the elites because I didn't do drugs and I didn't drink a lot of whiskey . -- Tom Selleck's sophisticated majordomo in Magnum, P.I. Actors whose military service didn't mirror their Hollywood careers such as Ronald Reagan, Red Buttons, Mickey Rooney, etc. He served in the Connecticut National Guard starting in 1948 and was discharged in 1950. He was also a World War II veteran who served from 1942 to 1945 in the vaunted Submarine Chasers unit, leaving the service with a rank of lieutenant junior grade. Stacker distribution partners receive a license to all Stacker stories, He was previously married to Gwendolyn Mumma Landes. In 1973, he co-starred as Melvin Purvis in John Milius' Dillinger with Warren Oates; he also appeared in Milius' 1984 film Red Dawn. After being kicked out of high school at age 15, Brooklyn-born Keitel joined the Marines and served in Lebanon as part of an anti-communism force cobbled together by President Dwight Eisenhower. Flew 24 missions piloting B-24 bombers over Europe. Johnson currently lives in Mesa, Ariz., with his wife of 48 years, Carol. Also served as a drill instructor. When Ford promised that he would be rewarded, Johnson hoped it would be with another doubling job, or maybe a small speaking role. Before his career took off, however, the St. Louis native served three years in the Army starting in 1954. Afterward, Navy - served during World War II on the USS Cyrene. His father, known Marines - WWII. He lived in Lexington, Kentucky and graduated from Lafayette Senior High School with the class of 1944. A former boxer, Scheider served as an air-traffic controller in the U.S. Air Force. Before he died in 1971, Audie Murphy amassed an impressive list of credits including "Ride a Crooked Trail" and "To Hell and Back." William served two years in the US Army. The mind behind "The Benny Hill Show" served in the British Army as a driver-mechanic before his talent earned him a role as a military entertainer. Stanton was born in West Irvine, Kentucky, to Ersel (Moberly), a cook, and Sheridan Harry Stanton, a barber and tobacco farmer. As a kid in the 1930s growing up in a tough New York neighborhood, kinetic wiseguy Larry Storch took in the multi-ethnic flavor of his surroundings and started blurting out various accents as a juvenile to provoke laughs and earn attention. But that wasn't the only horror he survived. He flew dozens of missions and earned a Purple Heart after being wounded in action. European theater. Francis Benjamin Johnson Jr. (June 13, 1918 - April 8, 1996) was an American film and television actor, stuntman, and world-champion rodeo cowboy. 5th class before his talents were recognized and he was ordered to entertain. His 164 credits include "12 Angry Men," "The Replacements," "While You Were Sleeping," and "Heaven Can Wait." He performed on stage and in films as early as the 1920s, but halted his career in the 1940s to join the Navy during World War II. The Rock aligns himself with partnerships that have an ongoing mission to support troops and first responders. republish under a Creative Commons License, and we encourage you to Johnson, who "happened to be settin' on a horse", stopped the runaway wagon and saved the men. 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. Ben "Son" Johnson, Jr. (June 13, 1918 - April 8, 1996) was an American stuntman, world champion rodeo cowboy and actor. But before he was a famous and groundbreaking showman, Pryor spent two years in the Army from 1958 to 1960. He has been married to Teresa Modnick since January 30, 2011. The South London native was a member of the Queen's Royal Regiment and the Royal Fusiliers, spending time during his military years in Germany and Korea. was shouted by American radio DJs to the delight of servicemen throughout the war that made the on-air slogan famous. In 1980, he was cast as Sheriff Isum Gorch in Soggy Bottom U.S.A. Johnson played Bartlett in the 196263 season of Have Gun Will Travel, which featured a short scene of his riding skills. During World War II, Rickles served in the Navy and saw combat in the Philippines. He then served as a teletype operator before joining a military entertainment unit. You may also like:The best streaming services for football in 2021. Imposing, barrel-chested and often silver-haired Brian Dennehy was a prolific US actor, well respected on both screen and stage over many decades. storytelling. Ben Johnson Actor | The Last Picture Show Born in Oklahoma, Ben Johnson was a ranch hand and rodeo performer when, . He is the second to youngest of twelve children (he has four sisters and seven brothers) and grew up in the housing projects. Gene Wilder had a long and accomplished career in show business, but he's best known for his role in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Elsewhere." But after heroically rescuing several men during a disastrous training exercise in the Arctic, he was given the honor of guarding President Harry Truman's yacht. Returning to school, he studied acting Navy - WWII. was an on-air guest on radio station KIKK when a caller returned the Tall and laconic, Johnson brought authenticity to many roles in Westerns with his droll manner and expert horsemanship.The son of a rancher, Johnson arrived in Hollywood to deliver a consignment of horses for a film. Born on Christmas Day in 1899, Humphrey Bogart grew up to be one of the most revered actors in history. Winters parlayed his talent into a long television career, which included a run on his own show, "The Jonathan Winters Show." As an actor, Savalas played several different sinister villains before landing the part that made him famous: no-nonsense New York City detective "Kojak.". Sidney had little formal Tucker Smallwood, the eldest son of an educator and diplomat, was a NBC television director before being drafted into the US Army in 1967. Richard Pryor is regarded as one of the most important and controversial stand-up comedians in history, and his talents translated to a career in Hollywood that included films like "Superman III" and "Brewster's Millions." In 1975, he played the character Mister in Bite the Bullet, starring Gene Hackman and James Coburn. actor Tom Selleck joined the California National Guard and served from 1967 to 1973. During the Battle of Normandy, he was wounded in the leg by shrapnel and walked with a limp for the rest of his life. His father, Nathaniel Tureaud, left when Laurence was 5, and his mother raised the Army - Joined in '75. Both roles showcased Johnson's riding ability. Ben Johnson Pro Celebrity : . His parents divorced when he was eight years old. Jonathan and his mother then moved to Springfield to live with his Marines - served two and a half years in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Clark Gable of "Gone With the Wind" fame was arguably the most celebrated leading man to dominate the screen during Hollywood's golden age. He was born in San Francisco, California, the elder of two sons of Cecilia (Gold) and Joseph Whitman, a realtor. After graduating from high school, Avery joined the Navy and served in Vietnam during the height of the war from 1968 to 1969. You may also like:The best streaming services for sports in 2021. Essex. Dwayne Johnson has a long career in wrestling and as an actor. Harry Dean Stanton's death in 2017 concluded one of the most prolific careers in Hollywood history. You may also like: Primetime TV shows that have stood the test of time. Dr. Donald Beckley Adkins and was then known as David Adkins. For the last 20 or so years, Clark has been doing stand-up comedy on the club circuit, on "The Tonight Show", on HBO comedy specials, on [error] and Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993). Johnson liked to say later that he got to Hollywood in a carload of horses. A prize belt buckle that he won for calf roping was stolen from his car He dropped out of Westside High school at Navy - WWII. At age 40 he became the youngest actor ever to be knighted when King George honored him with the title, and is one of the only actors to be buried in Westminster Abbey's vaunted Poet's Corner. The son of a rancher, Johnson arrived in Hollywood to deliver a consignment of horses for a film. He graduated from Southern Illinois University and was Mel Brooks was born Melvin Kaminsky on June 28, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer and served as an OCS Tactical Officer at Fort Benning, before undergoing Vietnamese language training and jump school Army - '67-'70. In 1964, he worked with Ford again in Cheyenne Autumn. Bob's specialty was the drums. William Henry Cosby, Jr. was born on July 12, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Anna Pearl (Hite), a maid and William Henry Cosby, Sr., a U.S. Navy sailor. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Oscar nominee Burt Young has earned more than 160 acting credits, including 10 projects currently in the works or slated for release. The son of Greek immigrants, Telly Savalas shined shoes and sold newspapers before joining the Army to serve in World War II, which he survived, with a Purple Heart. Adopted by stepfather 'James Hayden' renamed Sterling Walter Hayden. He is an actor and director, known for Three's Company (1976), Jack and Jill (2011) and Beverly Hills Ninja (1997). Saw brief action in the Pacific Theater as a transport pilot. When World War II broke out, he became among the only British actors in Hollywood to return home and join the fight when he re-enlisted in the British Army. From "Star Wars" to "Field of Dreams," James Earl Jones is among the most recognizable actors in the world. The 1946 Christmas classic was Stewart's first film after leaving the U.S. Army Air Corp. Stewart halted his career to join the service in 1941, eventually reaching the rank of colonel by the end of the conflict. He had a twin brother who was stillborn. Before he played Hannah's boyfriend in "Girls," Kylo Ren in "Star Wars,"and a host of other interesting roles, series Adam Driverwas a Marine. Murphy joined the Army a few days after his 18th birthday and would emerge from World War II three years later as the most decorated soldier of the entire conflict. An elegiac portrayal of a former cowboy theater owner in the 1950s coming-of-age drama The Last Picture Show won Johnson the 1971 Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness, had formerly been Aursness) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Rolf and Ruth Duesler Aurness. Following his military service he attended Southern Methodist . for, [speaking about how his life was affected by winning the Oscar for. Two-time Oscar nominee Jack Warden began his show business career in 1950. Kline was struck by lightning while serving in Vietnam. Vincent Pastore will forever hold the distinction of playing one of the most memorable roles in the history of mafia dramas. Actors have long tried to give audiences a taste of the realities of war and military service since the earliest days of the motion picture industry. He got off to a rocky start in the Corps, making trouble and spending time in the brig, where he was punished with rations of bread and water. In 1996, Tom Thurman made a documentary film about Johnson's life, titled Ben Johnson: Third Cowboy on the Right, written by Thurman and Tom Marksbury. Sherman Hemsley played characters known to be wise-cracking, "Weezy" loving, boisterous fools which America and the entire world laughed with kindheartedly. He has been married to Beverley Osgoode since 2002. Thomas William Selleck is an American actor and film producer, best known for his starring role as Hawaii-based private investigator "Thomas Magnum" on the 1980s television series, Magnum, P.I. Within a few years of his arrival in Hollywood, Studi caught the attention Army - drafted in '67 and served in Vietnam. Born in Los Angeles, California, the younger son of James Langford Stack (1860-1928), the owner of an advertising agency, and Mary Elizabeth Modini Wood (1891-1975) Navy - WWII. Served as a rifleman with the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, and was severely wounded during Operation Shingle, at Anzio, Italy. Awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Ben Johnson actor estadounidense. Neon . Nationality. Decorated Korean War combat veteran James Garner received two Purple Hearts after being discharged in 1952. He was one of the pioneers of television acting in the 1950s, and is best remembered for his 1970s TV work as Oscar Madison on The Odd Couple (1970) and as the medical examiner on Quincy M.E. Johnson started reading it, and when he got to the fifth line and it said "$5,000 a week," he stopped reading, grabbed a pen, signed it, and gave it back to Ford.[6]. His more than 200 credits include "The Green Mile," "Alien," "Cool Hand Luke," Big Love," and "Gunsmoke." He moved to Los Angeles, California, to live with his paternal aunt after the death of his father while he was in the sixth grade; his mother had died earlier when he was in the third grade. Don Knotts, the legendary television character actor, was born Jesse Donald Knotts on July 21, 1924 in Morgantown, West Virginia, to William Jesse Knotts and the former Elsie Luzetta Moore. WWII. In film, Carney played senior citizen Harry Coombes in the road movie "Harry and Army - Served as an infantryman during World War II. Fred Willard radiated a unique charm that established him as one of the industry's most gifted comic actors, first coming to prominence as ambitious but dimwitted sidekick Jerry Hubbard to Martin Mull's smarmy talk-show host Barth Gimble in the devastating satirical series Fernwood Tonight (1977). He is most famous, however, for his career as a soldier, which resulted in him being featured on the cover of Life magazine in 1945. With the possible exception of James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman arguably has the most famous voice in Hollywood. Tell us what you think about this feature. "It was in New Orleans I really learned how to sing", Jones told the Pittsburgh Press in 1969. You may also like: Best Meryl Streep movies. he was one of famous film actor (1918-1996) with the age years old group. Better roles followed. He joined the Air Force in 1955 with dreams of being a pilot, but when he got a taste of it in training, he realized he didn't have the stomach for combat flight and pursued less dangerous work in film. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. He continued ranching during the entire time, operating a horse-breeding ranch in Sylmar, California. To avoid it, I've stuck with doing things I know how to do, and it's made me a good living".[9]. He played the role of the iconic sitcom character George Jefferson, who appeared not just on "The Jeffersons," but also on "ER," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "House of Payne," and "All in the Family.". And the Desert Shall Blossom (Season 4, Episode 11), "The Case of the Reckless Rockhound" (Season 8, Episode 10), March from Camp Tyler (Season 3, Episode 3), Ride a Northbound Horse: Part 1 and 2 (Season 15, Episodes 21 & 22), Seasons 817; episodes: Quint-Cident / Quaker Girl /Drago, This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 11:08. All branches of the military, including the Coast Guard, are represented on the list, along with some actors from foreign countries. Ben Johnson (actor), better known by her family name Benjamin, was a popular American film actor (1918-1996). Tony Curtis was born Bernard Schwartz, the eldest of three children of Helen (Klein) and Emanuel Schwartz, Jewish immigrants from Hungary. He was also a Navy veteran who served during World War II shortly after graduating from high school. The father of Rob Reiner, Carl Reinerwas an American actor, comedian, director, screenwriter, and author. He was the namesake actor on sitcoms "The Bob Newhart Show," "Newhart," and "Bob." The phrase "Good morning, Vietnam!" He was drafted during World War II and served for about six months. distribution partner, email us at After his wife died in a plane crash in 1942, Academy Award winner promptly abandoned his career and enlisted in the Army Air Force at the age of 41. After being expelled from high school, the man born Laurence Tureaud served in the Army as a military policeman. Army, WWII, '44-'46 4. He served as a four time US Olympic wrestling team alternate as a soldier in the U.S. Army, and is also a 6 time world heavyweight and light heavyweight UFC champion and Hall of Famer. The late Charlton Heston was an Oscar winner and the star of epic films like "Ben-Hur." Kris Kristofferson Kris Kristofferson is an Oscar nominee, former Golden Gloves boxer, and military man from a military family. He later became the face of recruiting posters for the Guard. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard minesweepers and sub Navy - WWII. He is best remembered for his role as Professor Roy Hinkley, Jr. in the 1960s television comedy series Gilligan's Island. Jesse Ventura was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Bernice Martha (Lenz), a nurse who was of German descent, and George William Janos, a steam fitter of Slovak ancestry. He also displayed his small-screen talent on programs like "The Carol Burnett Show." A veteran of the stage and screen, Fred Gwynne is remembered as Herman Munster from TV's "The Munsters" as well as the short-tempered stickler judge from "My Cousin Vinny." He has been married to Brent Power since March 27, 1975. Francis Benjamin Johnson Jr. (June 13, 1918 - April 8, 1996) was an American film and television actor, stuntman, and world-champion rodeo cowboy. Kris Kristofferson is an Oscar nominee, former Golden Gloves boxer, and military man from a military family. He attended Ranger School and was discharged as a first lieutenant. Although the Army - WWII. Like so many young people of his generation, Driver was swept up in patriotic fervor in the wake of 9/11. the Latin from Manhattanenjoyed a 30-year career that spanned from the 1930s to the 1960s and included success on stage, in films, and on TV. Army The world knows Charles Bronson as an unshakeable vigilante from the "Death Wish" series. into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy and Western See Ben Johnson full list of movies and tv shows from their career. He is best remembered for his role of Sam the Lion in The Last Picture Show (1971), for which he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. [citation needed]. He served on torpedo bombers and on the USS Bunker Hill in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 and left the service a decorated veteran. Once claimed to have been wounded in Vietnam but later apologized for lying. At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. While behind the camera during the filming of those war classics, he drew on his real-life experiences. Naturally, young Ben would. He later studied psychology at Columbia University under the Mr. T was born Laurence Tureaud on 21 May 1952, in the rough south side ghetto of Chicago. Known for his roles in "Cocoon" and "First Blood," Brian Dennehy continues to rack up credits more than 40 years after his debut in an episode of "Kojak" in 1977. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Montgomery had a younger brother, Donald. (August 31, 1941 - March 27, 1994) (her death), View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. To that end, most Stacker stories are freely available to Joel McCrea Actor | Sullivan's Travels Bill. His better known roles include Chief George Earle in "Demolition Man" (1993), Prison Warden Samuel Norton in "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994), medical school dean Dr. Walcott in " Army - '69-'71. Drafted into the Navy, he served as a cook in the U.S. Navy during Navy - WWII. He was the ultra-cool male film star of the 1960s, and rose from a troubled youth spent in reform schools to being the world's most popular actor. Served as a gunnery instructor. After joining the Army in 1939, however, Brand caught the acting bug while making training films for the government. Full Real Name. He attended public school in Scottsville. He died on December 16, 1993 in Guilford, Connecticut, USA. In school he was known for being a class clown and an intense music lover. American leading man Stuart Maxwell Whitman was known for his rugged roles. Highly influential, and always controversial, African-American actor/comedian who was equally well known for his colorful language during his live comedy shows, as for his fast paced life, multiple marriages and battles with drug addiction. I was a cowboy from the time I hit the ground. He paused his career to join the Navy and saw action in the European and Pacific theaters. He played Sam Bellows in the 1980 film Ruckus and Jack Mason in the 1984 action adventure Red Dawn. 2016. Francis Benjamin Johnson Jr. (June 13, 1918 - April 8, 1996) was an American film and television actor, stuntman, and world-champion rodeo cowboy. While in school he became interested in acting and Born Charles Callias in Brooklyn, NY on December 20, 1927, he served in the US Army in Germany during World War 2.Originally a drummer, he played with Tommy Dorsey, Claude Thornhill and Buddy Rich.