The "Tiny" movie career of Robert C. Johnsen

Here are some short clips from 3 movies featuring cameos by Denver character actor Robert C. Johnsen. I was a neighbor of Bob Johnsen and as a kid in the early 1970's I was fascinated by the fact that whenever a Hollywood movie was being filmed in Denver or the Colorado rockies during that time, Bob seemed to get a small part, sometimes a speaking part. These 3 short parts featured "Tiny", as he was known by his friends, with a few lines of dialogue.

The first one was the Pilot for the pseudo famous TV series, "Then Came Bronson", starring Michael Parks in 1969. Here, Tiny plays the local gas station attendant in a small town (Kremling, Colorado)

The second clip is from a dreadful 'Made for Television' movie called "in the Company of Killers", 1970, starring John Saxon. Bob's role as the abused, rotund chef is hampered either by a midget dubbing his voice over, or a shot of helium before the director yelled Action. (probably to give more testosterone to the diminutive Saxon). ...As Leonard Pinth Garnell used to say, "That wasn't too good, was it?"

And lastly, a low budget Hollywood Comedy Western called "The Brothers O'Toole",1972, starring John Astin in his post Addams Family period.
Bob has one line atop his massive horse and he delivers it in his best Buddy Hacket imitation.

His cameos in the movies turned Bob Johnsen into a local legend, and as I grew up I befriend him more and we started hanging out, eating pizza and taking small trips in his plethora of cool autos.


As a budding young filmmaker, I was determined to give him the starring role he deserved and in 1987, I wrote "Drab Days in Suburbia" with him in mind, playing my alter ego, the Captain of Pleasure.
Here is a clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IYBmdchnEQ


Here is Tiny in his more natural state, doing what he loved, driving thru Denver in 1988 in his new '79 Fiat sports car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HXwIwdBUlQ

Be sure to watch these in HQ

A man of many appetites, Robert Johnsen was a large man, nearly 6' foot 4", and weighing over 400 lbs. Having passed away in January of 1995, He was a robust character who lived large and I miss him.

--Sam Klemke, June 2009

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[powerfist]

Salvation Army guy - Woody Allen?

[leroydive]

He's no David Niven, Errol Flynn, or Archie Ball Leach...uh, that would be Cary Grant for you film geeks: however, Robert C. Johns-E-n made you "believe" had he stuck around much longer we'd seen accepting his Oscar!