Benjamin "Son" Johnson Jr. (June 13, 1918 â€" April 8, 1996) was an
American film and television actor, stuntman, and world champion rodeo
cowboy. Tall and laconic, Johnson brought authenticity to many roles
in Westerns with his expert horsemanship.The son of a rancher, Johnson
arrived in Hollywood to deliver a consignment of horses for a film. He
did stunt-double work for several years before breaking into acting
with the help of John Ford. 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.Johnson also operated a horse-breeding
ranch throughout his career. Although he said he had succeeded by
sticking to what he knew, shrewd real estate investments made Johnson
worth an estimated $100 million by his later years.Johnson was born in
Foraker, Oklahoma, on the Osage Indian Reservation, of Irish and
Cherokee ancestry, the son of Ollie Susan Johnson (née Workmon;
1899-2000) and Ben Johnson, Sr. (1896-1952). His father was a rancher
and rodeo champion in Osage County.
American film and television actor, stuntman, and world champion rodeo
cowboy. Tall and laconic, Johnson brought authenticity to many roles
in Westerns with his expert horsemanship.The son of a rancher, Johnson
arrived in Hollywood to deliver a consignment of horses for a film. He
did stunt-double work for several years before breaking into acting
with the help of John Ford. 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.Johnson also operated a horse-breeding
ranch throughout his career. Although he said he had succeeded by
sticking to what he knew, shrewd real estate investments made Johnson
worth an estimated $100 million by his later years.Johnson was born in
Foraker, Oklahoma, on the Osage Indian Reservation, of Irish and
Cherokee ancestry, the son of Ollie Susan Johnson (née Workmon;
1899-2000) and Ben Johnson, Sr. (1896-1952). His father was a rancher
and rodeo champion in Osage County.
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