Ben Johnson 1918 - 1996

Ben Johnson was probably the greatest horseman and cowboy the movies ever had. His riding was like poetry.

This Oklahoma boy started out as a wrangler, eventually finding work in Hollywood as a stunt man and double for stars like John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Jimmy Stewart. After Ben saved some actors in a wagon accident on the set of John Ford's film Fort Apache, Ford gave him a seven year contract. Ford featured Johnson in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Rio Grande. In 1950, Johnson took the lead role in Ford's beautiful film, Wagon Master.

Just as he reached stardom, Johnson took time off from acting in order to earn a world rodeo medal like his father, Ben, Sr. He returned to films like Shane, Will Penny, Hang em High,The Wild Bunch, Junior Bonner, Bite the Bullet , Breakheart Pass and The Last Picture Show, for which he won an Academy Award. He also did extensive TV work, including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Have Gun Will Travel.

He continued doing rodeo events, many for kids' charities. He was married to the same woman for 54 years and never failed to mention her in his interviews. He was the real thing, a cowboy who happened to be an actor. He was a good man, protective and down to earth. He continued to make movies until his death in 1996.

He's my favorite actor.

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[IrenaDubrovna1000]

Hey heatherlove2, Mighty Joe Young was his first leading role, but he had doubled other actors and done stunt work in movies for several years before.

[IrenaDubrovna1000]

Hi, Duchess of Percy! Do you have any stories about Ben Johnson and your grandfather?

[camdengreen]

I first got interested in Ben Johnson after being delighted by his outstanding performance in One Eyed jacks.

[IrenaDubrovna1000]

@camdengreen

He's wonderfully evil in One Eyed Jacks, isn't he? I hope you get TCM - they are having a day of Ben Johnson films on August 11th.

[IrenaDubrovna1000]

sacredgroovetube -

I am quite curious as to where you saw that interview? It sounds fascinating. I am always looking for more information on Ben Johnson. I knew his mother was Native American, and his father worked as foreman on one of the biggest horse ranches in the southwest.

[IrenaDubrovna1000]

Hey, R16,

Thanks for your comment! I am so glad that you have discovered Ben Johnson. He's a class act, that's for sure. Maybe you'll even end up liking some of his westerns, eventually. :D

[heaatherlove2]

If I am not mistaken was'nt his first movie Mighty Joe Young?

[duchessofpercy]

He was truly one fo the greats! He was friends with my Grandfather in Arizona in his later years. One of the things I always loved was that he WAS a cowboy, not an actor playing a cowboy. And he had that smile that was so genuine. God bless him and thanks for all the great movies! and YEAH, were is a copy of the movie on his life?!

[heartfire451]

Great actor, Get the impression he was a great guy. The last film I saw him in was a flick called "My Heroes Have always Benn Cowboys". A very good and rousing little film.

[hammerogod]

If you only watch the movies that Ben Johnson appeared in you will have a GREAT weekend of entertainment.

A Legend, a Man, A Cowboy in every sense and an Actor who owned the screen when he was in front of the camera.

Love you Ben...miss you.

[bobszvetics1]

@recovering16 you are correct

[bobszvetics1]

@grabit1 he could act alot