Years active 1934–1961 Ex-spouse Greta Johnson Children Karl Johnson | Name Tor Johnson | |
 | ||
Full Name Karl Oscar Tore Johansson Born 19 October 1903 ( 1903-10-19 ) Kalmar lan, Sweden Other names Super Swedish AngelThor Johnson Parents Karl J. Johansson, Lovisa Petersson Movies Plan 9 from Outer Space, Bride of the Monster, The Beast of Yucca Flats, Night of the Ghouls, The Black Sleep Similar People Ed Wood, Maila Nurmi, Coleman Francis, Reginald Le Borg, Michael J Nelson | ||
You bet your life 59 11 tor johnson incomplete chair dec 3 1959
Tore Johansson (19 October 1902 – 12 May 1971), better known by the stage name Tor Johnson, was a Swedish professional wrestler (billed as The Super Swedish Angel) and actor. He appeared in many B-movies, including some Ed Wood films.
Contents
- You bet your life 59 11 tor johnson incomplete chair dec 3 1959
- Tor johnson on groucho marx s you bet your life
- Early life
- Career
- Death and legacy
- In popular culture
- Championships and accomplishments
- References
Tor johnson on groucho marx s you bet your life
Early life
Johnson was born in Brännkyrka, Stockholms län, Sweden, the son of Karl Johan Johansson and Lovisa Kristina Pettersson. Later in life, Johnson himself gave varying birth years ranging from 1902 to 1904. His death certificate gives his birth date as Oct 19, 1903.
Career
Johnson weighed 181 kilograms (400 pounds) at his heaviest. He had a full head of brown hair, but shaved it to maintain an imposing and villainous appearance in his wrestling and acting work. He began getting bit parts in films upon moving to California, usually as the strongman or weightlifter, as early as 1934. His film career ended in the early 1960s, after he appeared in a string of poorly-rated films. However, he continued to make appearances on television and made a number of commercials.
During his career as an actor, Johnson befriended director Ed Wood, who directed him in a number of films, including Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space. He was very friendly to work with; actress Valda Hansen, who worked with Johnson in 1959's Night of the Ghouls, described him as "like a big sugar bun." During this period, Johnson appeared as a guest contestant on the quiz show You Bet Your Life, during which he showed the show's host, Groucho Marx, his "scariest face." Marx ran off the stage in mock terror, then returned and pleaded: "Don't make that face again!"
Death and legacy
In 1971, Johnson died from heart failure at the San Fernando Valley Hospital in San Fernando, California. He was buried at the Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall, California.
Johnson was portrayed by wrestler George "The Animal" Steele in Tim Burton's film Ed Wood (1994).
Johnson was featured extensively in the early work of cartoonist Drew Friedman. The comics supposedly follow Johnson as he becomes involved in various seedy adventures, although he is depicted as a slow-witted, white-eyed lummox based on Johnson's persona in Ed Wood's films.
In popular culture
In the film Mad Max (1979), the title character, played by Mel Gibson, can be seen wearing a Tor Johnson mask in an effort to cheer up his wife, while preparing to leave for a day's work. Numerous films Johnson appeared in would be riffed by Mystery Science Theater 3000, his unique appearance making him instantly recognizable to the cast.