Ernest Lamont Johnson Jr. (September 30, 1922 – October 24, 2010) was an American actor and film director who has appeared in and directed many television shows and

movies A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

. He won two Emmy Awards.

Early years

Johnson was born in Stockton, California, the son of Ruth Alice ( née Fairchild) and Ernest Lamont Johnson, who was a realtor. He attended Pasadena Junior College and

UCLA The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California ...

and was active in theatrical productions at both schools.

Acting

When he was 16, Johnson began his career in radio, eventually playing the role of

Tarzan Tarzan (John Clayton II, Viscount Greystoke) is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungle by the Mangani great apes; he later experiences civilization, only to reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adv ...

in a popular syndicated series in 1951. He also worked as a newscaster and a disc jockey. Johnson was also one of several actors to play Archie Goodwin in ''

The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe ''The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe'' is a 1950–51 American radio drama series starring Sydney Greenstreet as Rex Stout's fictional armchair detective Nero Wolfe. Based on Stout's principal characters but not his stories, the series aired Octob ...

'', opposite

Sydney Greenstreet Sydney Hughes Greenstreet (December 27, 1879 – January 18, 1954) was a British-American actor. While he did not begin his career in films until the age of 61, he had a run of significant motion pictures in a Hollywood career lasting throu ...

on NBC Radio. He then turned to films and television, first as an actor, then as a director.

Directing

Johnson's directing debut came in 1948 with the play ''Yes Is For a Very Young Man'' in New York. His television directing debut was on an episode of ''

NBC Matinee Theater ''Matinee Theater'' is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of Television, from October 31, 1955, to June 27, 1958. Its name is often seen as ''Matinee Theatre''. The series, which ran daily from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. E ...

''. Johnson also directed productions of the

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a libr ...

s ''The Man in the Moon'' (1959), '' Iphigénie en Tauride'' (1962), and ''

Orfeo Orfeo Classic Schallplatten und Musikfilm GmbH of Munich was a German independent classical record label founded in 1979 by Axel Mehrle and launched in 1980. It has been owned by Naxos since 2015. History The Orfeo music label was registered ...

'' (1990), and he directed an installment of the series '' Felicity'' plus the TV movie ''The Man Next Door'' (1996).

Recognition

Johnson was nominated for nine Emmy Awards, winning twice, for '' Wallenberg: A Hero's Story'' (1985) and ''

Lincoln Lincoln most commonly refers to: * Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the sixteenth president of the United States * Lincoln, England, cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England * Lincoln, Nebraska, the capital of Nebraska, U.S. * Lincol ...

'' (1988) — both for Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries Movie Or A Dramatic Special. He was nominated in the same category for '' Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232'' (1992), '' Unnatural Causes'' (1987), ''Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter'' (1984), ''

Fear on Trial ''Fear on Trial'' is a 1975 American television film about the blacklisting of 1950s broadcast personality John Henry Faulk, based on Faulk's 1964 memoir of the same title.Article 11 o TitleSmith, Cecil. ''Los Angeles Times''. September 28, 19 ...

'' (1975), ''

The Execution of Private Slovik ''The Execution of Private Slovik'' is a nonfiction book by William Bradford Huie, published in 1954, and an American made-for-television movie that aired on NBC on March 13, 1974. The film was written for the screen by Richard Levinson, Wil ...

'' (1974) and ''

That Certain Summer ''That Certain Summer'' is a 1972 American made-for-television drama film directed by Lamont Johnson. The teleplay by Richard Levinson and William Link was considered the first sympathetic depiction of gay people on American television. Produc ...

'' (1972). His other Emmy nomination was for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie, also for ''Wallenberg: A Hero's Story''. Johnson won five

Directors Guild of America Award The Directors Guild of America Awards are issued annually by the Directors Guild of America. The first DGA Award was an "Honorary Life Member" award issued in 1938 to D. W. Griffith. The statues are made by New York firm, Society Awards. Catego ...

s, winning in the category Movies for Television and Mini-Series for ''Lincoln'' (1988) and for ''That Certain Summer'' (1972). He also won DGA Awards for Most Outstanding TV Director (1972) and for Television — ''My Sweet Charlie'' (1970) and "Oscar Underwood Story": ''Profiles in Courage'' (1964). Additionally, he was nominated for DGA Awards for Movies for Television and Mini-Series for ''Wallenberg: A Hero's Story'' (1985), ''Fear on Trial'' (1975) and ''The Execution of Private Slovik'' (1974). Another DGA Award nomination was for Dramatic Series for ''Birdbath'' (1971).

Personal life

Johnson married actress Toni Merrill in Paris in 1945. They had three children: Jeremy, Carolyn, and Christopher Anthony.

Death

Johnson died of heart failure in Monterey, California, October 24, 2010.

Filmography

Actor

*'' Up Front'' (1951) - Miller (uncredited) *''

Retreat, Hell! ''Retreat, Hell!'' is a 1952 American war film about the 1st Marine Division in the Korean War, directed by Joseph H. Lewis. It stars Frank Lovejoy as a career Marine battalion commander who is recalled from work at an American embassy, Richard ...

'' (1952) - Capt. 'Tink' O'Grady *''

Sally and Saint Anne ''Sally and Saint Anne'' is a 1952 American comedy film directed by Rudolph Maté and starring Ann Blyth, Edmund Gwenn and John McIntire. Plot Sally O’Moyne is a schoolgirl who lives with three generations of an eccentric Irish family, includi ...

'' (1952) - Willie O'Moyne *''

The Glory Brigade ''The Glory Brigade'' is a 1953 American war film directed by Robert D. Webb. It stars Victor Mature and Alexander Scourby. The film was referred to in ''M*A*S*H'' (1970), directed by Robert Altman. Plot US Army engineer Lt. Pryor's detachmen ...

'' (1953) - Capt. Adams (uncredited) *'' Hallmark Hall of Fame'' (1954, TV Series) *'' The Human Jungle'' (1954) - Det. Lannigan *''

Goodyear Television Playhouse ''Goodyear Television Playhouse'' is an American anthology series that was telecast live on NBC from 1951 to 1957 during the first Golden Age of Television. Sponsored by Goodyear, Goodyear alternated sponsorship with Philco, and the ''Philco Te ...

'' (1955, TV Series) *'' Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' (1956, TV Series) - David Schaffner *''

Please Murder Me ''Please Murder Me!'' is a 1956 American film noir directed by Peter Godfrey (director), Peter Godfrey and starring Angela Lansbury, Raymond Burr and Dick Foran. The film contains an incomplete copyright notice omitting mention of its claimant an ...

'' (1956) - Carl Holt *''Crusader'' (1956, TV Series) - Lt. Joseph Balta *''

The Brothers Rico ''The Brothers Rico'' is a 1957 American crime film noir directed by Phil Karlson and starring Richard Conte, Dianne Foster and Kathryn Grant. Plot Eddie Rico (Richard Conte) is the happily married owner of a prosperous laundry company in Baysh ...

'' (1957) - Peter Malaks *'' Jet Pilot'' (1957) - Sergeant (uncredited) *''

Alcoa Theatre ''Alcoa Theatre'' is a half-hour American anthology series telecast on NBC at 9:30 pm on Monday nights from September 30, 1957 to May 23, 1960. The program also aired under the title ''Turn of Fate''. ''Alcoa Theatre'' was syndicated together ...

'' (1959, TV Series) - Col. von Schlabrendorff *''

Angel In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Other roles inclu ...

'' (1961, TV Series) - Lazlo *''

Blue Light Blue Light or Blue light may refer to: Science and technology * Portion of the visible spectrum related to the blue color ** Blue laser ** Blue LED * Cherenkov radiation, the physical phenomenon responsible for the characteristic blue glow in nucl ...

'' (1966, Episode: "Jet Trail") - Col. Von Kreuzer *'' The Big Valley'' (1966, TV Series) - Anson Cross *''

Felony Squad ''The Felony Squad'' is a half-hour television crime drama originally broadcast on the ABC network from September 12, 1966, to January 31, 1969, a span encompassing seventy-three episodes. Overview The program starred Howard Duff (as Sergeant ...

'' (1967, TV Series) - Col. Bix Gabriel *'' Gunsmoke'' (1967, TV Series) - Stoner *''

The McKenzie Break ''The McKenzie Break'' is a 1970 British war drama film starring Brian Keith as Jack Connor, an intelligence officer investigating recent disturbances at a prisoner of war (POW) camp in Scotland. The Nazi German POWs are led by the charismatic ...

'' (1970) - PT Boat Captain (uncredited) *''

The Last American Hero ''The Last American Hero'' (also known as ''Hard Driver'') is a 1973 American sports drama film based on the true story of NASCAR driver Junior Johnson. Directed by Lamont Johnson (no relation), the film stars Jeff Bridges as Junior Jackson, a cha ...

'' (1973) - Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited) *'' One on One'' (1977) - Barry Brunz *''

Shogun Assassin ''Shogun Assassin'' is a 1980 ''jidaigeki'' film directed by Robert Houston. ''Shogun Assassin'' was edited and compiled from the first two films in the ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' series, using 12 minutes of the first film, '' Lone Wolf and Cub: Sw ...

'' (1980) - (voice) (final film role)

Director

*''

Have Gun – Will Travel ''Have Gun – Will Travel'' is an American Western series that was produced and originally broadcast by CBS on both television and radio from 1957 through 1963. The television version of the series starring Richard Boone was rated number t ...

'' (1958-1959) *''

Peter Gunn ''Peter Gunn'' is an American private eye television series, starring Craig Stevens as Peter Gunn with Lola Albright as his girlfriend, Edie Hart. The series aired on NBC from September 22, 1958, to 1960 and on ABC in 1960–1961. The seri ...

'' (1958-1959) *'' Mr. Lucky'' (1959-1960) *'' Naked City'' (1960) *''

Dr. Kildare Dr. James Kildare is a fictional American medical doctor, originally created in the 1930s by the author Frederick Schiller Faust under the pen name Max Brand. Shortly after the character's first appearance in a magazine story, Paramount Pictur ...

'' (1961-1963) *''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, sup ...

'' (1961-1963) *''

A Covenant with Death ''A Covenant with Death'' is a 1967 American legal drama film directed by Lamont Johnson (in his feature directorial debut), from a screenplay by Lawrence B. Marcus and Saul Levitt, based on the 1964 novel of the same name by Stephen Becker. The ...

'' (1967) *'' The Name of the Game'' (1968-1969) *''

Judd for the Defense ''Judd, for the Defense'' is an American legal drama originally broadcast on the ABC network on Friday nights from September 8, 1967, to March 21, 1969. Synopsis The show stars Carl Betz, who had previously spent eight years in the role of Dr. A ...

'' (1968) *''

'' (1970) *''

My Sweet Charlie ''My Sweet Charlie'' is a 1970 American made-for-television drama film directed by Lamont Johnson. The teleplay by Richard Levinson and William Link is based on the novel of the same name by David Westheimer. Produced by Universal Television and ...

'' (1970) *''

A Gunfight ''A Gunfight'' is a 1971 American Western film directed by Lamont Johnson, starring Kirk Douglas and Johnny Cash. The film was financed by the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, although there are no leading Native American characters in the story. ...

'' (1971) *''

The Groundstar Conspiracy ''The Groundstar Conspiracy'' is a 1972 American neo noir crime film directed by Lamont Johnson. It stars George Peppard and Michael Sarrazin. Douglas Heyes' screenplay (written under his frequent pseudonym, Matthew Howard) was adapted very fr ...

'' (1972) *''

You'll Like My Mother ''You'll Like My Mother'' is a 1972 American horror and thriller film directed by Lamont Johnson, from screenplay by Jo Heims based on the novel of the same name by Naomi A. Hintze. The film stars Patty Duke, Rosemary Murphy, Richard Thomas and ...

'' (1972) *''

'' (1973) *''

'' (1974) *''

Visit to a Chief's Son ''Visit to a Chief's Son'' is a 1974 American adventure film directed by Lamont Johnson and starring Richard Mulligan and Johnny Sekka. Plot An American arthropologist and his son benefit from their experiences with an East African tribe. Cast ...

'' (1974) *''

'' (1975) *''

Lipstick Lipstick is a cosmetic product used to apply coloration and texture to lips, often made of wax and oil. Different pigments are used to produce color, and minerals such as silica may be used to provide texture. The use of lipstick dates back t ...

'' (1976) *'' One on One'' (1977) *'' Cattle Annie and Little Britches'' (1981) *''

Crisis At Central High ''Crisis at Central High'' is a 1981 made-for-television movie about the Little Rock Integration Crisis of 1957, based on a draft of the memoir by the same name by former assistant principal Elizabeth Huckaby.

'' (1981) *'' Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone'' (1983) *'' Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase'' (1990)

References

External links

*
Lamont Johnson at the TV Museum
*
''New York Times'' bio

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Lamont 1922 births 2010 deaths American male film actors American male radio actors American television directors Primetime Emmy Award winners People from Stockton, California German-language film directors Film directors from California University of California, Los Angeles alumni