Susan Johnson (born Marilyn Jeanne Johnson, July 6, 1927 – February 24, 2003), also known as Susan Johnson-Kehn, was an American actor and singer. She is most well known for her Broadway performances during the 1950s, but also appeared in several films and television shows.

Biography

Johnson was born in Columbus, Ohio. She began singing professionally at the age 3 and performed with the Columbus Opera & Symphony Company while she was in her 20s. She attended Ohio State University, then moved to New York City to study singing. Johnson arrived in New York in 1947. She appeared on Broadway in ''

Brigadoon ''Brigadoon'' is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, and music by Frederick Loewe. The song " Almost Like Being in Love", from the musical, has become a standard. It features two American tourists who stumble upon Brigadoon, ...

'' (1950), ''Buttrio Square'' (1952), ''

The Most Happy Fella ''The Most Happy Fella'' is a 1956 musical with a book, music, and lyrics by Frank Loesser. The story, about a romance between an older man and younger woman, is based on the 1924 play '' They Knew What They Wanted'' by Sidney Howard. The show i ...

'' (1956–57), '' Oh Captain!'' (1958), '' Whoop-Up'' (1958–59), and '' Donnybrook!'' (1961). She won the 1956

Theatre World Award The Theatre World Award is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or Off-Broadway. It was first awarded for the 1945–1946 theatre se ...

for her role in ''

'' and was nominated for a

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...

in 1958 for her role in '' Oh Captain!'' She also acted in the national touring company of ''Brigadoon'' and in productions of Theatre Under the Stars in Vancouver, Canada. In 1962, Johnson was thrown from her motor scooter into oncoming traffic while filming for a stock production. The accident left Johnson with a fractured skull and temporary deafness that affected her singing voice. Johnson married retired professional baseball player Chet L. Kehn, Jr. in 1965, and the couple moved to Southern California when their daughter Corianne was born. In 1982, Johnson got involved with a local Sacramento dinner theater named Garbeau'ss. Johnson retired to Southern California in 1984 and became a widow when her husband died suddenly at a San Diego Padres game on April 5, 1984. After his death, Johnson returned to the stage with productions in Hawaii (Annie) and later she appeared in the films ''My First Love'' (1988), ''

Sister Act ''Sister Act'' is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Emile Ardolino and written by Paul Rudnick (as Joseph Howard). It stars Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer forced to join a convent after being placed in a witness protection program. I ...

'' (1992) and '' Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit'' (1993). Johnson was married three times during her life. Her first marriage to actor Robert Pastene ended in divorce. Her second husband Lawrence Brown left her after her accident in 1962. Her third marriage to professional baseball player Chet Kehn lasted from 1965 until his death in 1984.Obituary
nytimes.com, March 10, 2003. Susan Johnson-Kehn died of emphysema in 2003 in Sacramento, California, aged 75.

Filmography

References

External links

* * * 1927 births 2003 deaths American film actresses American musical theatre actresses American television actresses Deaths from emphysema Actresses from Columbus, Ohio Actresses from Sacramento, California Ohio State University alumni 20th-century American singers 20th-century American women singers 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American women {{US-singer-stub