Van Johnson Overview:

Legendary actor, Van Johnson, was born Charles Van Dell Johnson on Aug 25, 1916 in Newport, RI. Johnson died at the age of 92 on Dec 12, 2008 in Nyack, NY and was cremated and his location unknown.

MINI BIO:

American leading actor whose Swedish ancestry showed in his blue eyes, red-gold hair, and boyish, rather hurt-looking expression. He took advantage of the absence of top talent away in wartime (he was himself unfit for service following a car smash which left him with a metal plate in his head) to storm to stardom at MGM, where he stayed for 15 years. His boyish charm wore thin in the fifties and he was seen less after 1960.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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He was honored with one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures. Van Johnson's handprints and footprints were 'set in stone' at Grauman's Chinese Theater during imprint ceremony #82 on Mar 25, 1948. Johnson was never nominated for an Academy Award.

BlogHub Articles:

and Vera Miles know there are only “23 Paces to Baker Street”

By Stephen Reginald on Jan 4, 2023 From Classic Movie Man

and Vera Miles know there are only “23 Paces to Baker Street” 23 Paces to Baker Street (1956) is an American mystery directed by Henry Hathaway and starring and Vera Miles. The supporting cast features Cecil Parker, Isobel Elsom, and Estelle Winwood. Philip ... Read full article


THE FIFTH ANNUAL BLOGATHON: Brigadoon, 1954

on Aug 25, 2021 From Caftan Woman

Michaela at Love Letters to Old Hollywood is hosting The Fifth Annual Blogathon. Click HERE to access the tributes to the popular actor. The contribution from this corner of the internet is a look at Van in the 1954 film version of Brigadoon.Once a song and dance man, always a song and d... Read full article


THE FOURTH BLOGATHON: 23 Paces to Baker Street, 1956

on Aug 23, 2020 From Caftan Woman

Michaela at Love Letters to Old Hollywood is hosting The Fourth Blogathon. The fun begins on August 23 through to 25. Click HERE to enjoy the contributions looking at the career of fan favourite . Director Henry Hathaway (The Dark Corner) and actor (Battlegro... Read full article


THE SECOND BLOGATHON: Zane Grey Theatre, Deadfall (1959)

on Aug 24, 2018 From Caftan Woman

Michaela of Love Letters to Old Hollywood is hosting a Blogathon, her second in as many years. Click HERE to read what all the fans have to say. A busy musical performer on Broadway, became box office gold for MGM in the 1940s. Popular with young fans, as he matured so did h... Read full article


THE SECOND BLOGATHON: Zane Grey Theatre, Deadfall (1959)

on Aug 24, 2018 From Caftan Woman

Michaela of Love Letters to Old Hollywood is hosting a Blogathon, her second in as many years. Click HERE to read what all the fans have to say. A busy musical performer on Broadway, became box office gold for MGM in the 1940s. Popular with young fans, as he matured so did h... Read full article


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Van Johnson Quotes:

Mr. Lundie: Two hundred years ago, the highlands of Scotland were plagued with witches, wicked sorcerers that were taking the Scottish people away from the teachings of God and putting the Devil into their souls. They were indeed horrible destructive women. I dinna suppose you have such women in your country?
Tommy Albright: Witches?
Jeff Douglas: Oh we have 'em. We pronounce it differently.


[In a crowded bar]
Tommy Albright: It's hot in here.
Jeff Douglas: It's not the heat, it's the humanity.


[while being bombarded by German artillery during a driving blizzard]
Holley: We've had good deals before, but this is the best one yet. This is great. I don't ever wanna go back. I found a home in the army.


read more quotes from Van Johnson...



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Van Johnson on the
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Van Johnson Facts
He made his Broadway debut in 1936 in "New Faces of 1936," (an annual revue that had also introduced Imogene Coca and Henry Fonda in 1934). Van would appear in a total of 7 Broadway shows to date, including the original cast production of "Pal Joey" in 1940-41 and last appearing in "La Cage aux Folles" in 1987.

It was Rosalind Russell who helped him overcome his fear of live audiences after goading him into performing in nightclubs. He made his Las Vegas debut in the 1950s.

Was once considered for the lead role in the TV show "The Untouchables" (1959) but turned it down. Robert Stack became a TV star as a result.

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