Bess Johnson ( circa - January , ) was an American actress best known
for her work on old-time radio. During her time on the air, "she was
the highest paid daytime radio artist."Johnson was born in Keyser,
West Virginia, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman J. Johnson. She
grew up in Elkins, West Virginia, with theatrical family roots: her
father owned two theaters in addition to publishing a newspaper and
being a state senator, while her mother was actress Ann Barnes.Johnson
graduated from Davis & Elkins College. Her plans for a career as a
singer ended when she lost her voice and learned after a tonsillectomy
that she would not be able to sing again. Turning to drama as an
alternative, she studied at Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh and the
American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York. Johnson's income
from jobs as an artists' model and a restaurant worker paid her way as
a student at the AADA.Beginning in , Johnson worked in stock theater
with the Goodman Players in Chicago for five years. After appearing on
KDKA in Pittsburgh as an amateur, she first appeared professionally on
radio in Chicago when she filled in for another actress at the last
minute on WMAQ. Johnson was "radio's voice of Lady Esther" for six
years.
for her work on old-time radio. During her time on the air, "she was
the highest paid daytime radio artist."Johnson was born in Keyser,
West Virginia, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman J. Johnson. She
grew up in Elkins, West Virginia, with theatrical family roots: her
father owned two theaters in addition to publishing a newspaper and
being a state senator, while her mother was actress Ann Barnes.Johnson
graduated from Davis & Elkins College. Her plans for a career as a
singer ended when she lost her voice and learned after a tonsillectomy
that she would not be able to sing again. Turning to drama as an
alternative, she studied at Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh and the
American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York. Johnson's income
from jobs as an artists' model and a restaurant worker paid her way as
a student at the AADA.Beginning in , Johnson worked in stock theater
with the Goodman Players in Chicago for five years. After appearing on
KDKA in Pittsburgh as an amateur, she first appeared professionally on
radio in Chicago when she filled in for another actress at the last
minute on WMAQ. Johnson was "radio's voice of Lady Esther" for six
years.
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