Gate Johnson

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Tor Johnson in Plan 9 from Outer Space

Tor Johnson (born October 19, 1903 in Sweden , † May 19, 1971 in San Fernando , California ) was a Swedish wrestler and actor .

Life

At the age of 25, Johnson emigrated to the United States and came to Los Angeles in 1931 , which, due to climatic factors, was primarily good for his rheumatic heart disease, which he suffered from for over 40 years.

Johnson first appeared in a film in 1934. When he couldn't find a film job, he kept himself afloat financially by wrestling matches under the stage name "The Swedish Angel". Over the next several years, Johnson acted in numerous films in minor and minor roles. The most famous film he has worked on is likely to be the 1944 film The Canterville Ghost .

In the 1950s he still appeared in a few supporting roles in Abbott and Costello films until he met director Ed Wood . He had seen Johnson catching and was enthusiastic about his physical appearance. From then on, Johnson appeared in numerous B-movie horror films. From 1956 he appeared in several of Woods own films, including in 1958 in Plan 9 from Outer Space , which is now considered "the worst film of all time".

In the early 1960s, Johnson withdrew from the film business due to a lack of role offers. His last leading role was in 1961 in the film The Beast of Yucca Flats . From then on, he earned his money mainly by appearing at supermarket openings in his old horror costumes and in television quiz shows . Among other things, he also appeared in an episode of the show You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx .

From 1968, his health deteriorated rapidly and Johnson was barely able to leave the house. He was finally admitted to the San Fernando Valley Hospital in 1971 , where he died of heart failure on May 19 at the age of 67.

Tor Johnson also achieved "fame" because the Halloween mask that portrayed himself is still the best-selling horror mask in the USA to this day.

Filmography (selection)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Johnson, gate
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Swedish wrestler and actor
DATE OF BIRTH October 19, 1903
PLACE OF BIRTH Sweden
DATE OF DEATH May 19, 1971
Place of death San Fernando , California