Born in Oklahoma, Ben Johnson was a ranch hand and rodeo performer when, in 1940, 'Howard Hughes . He left Hollywood in 1953 to return to rodeo, where he won a world roping championship, but at the end of the year he had barely cleared expenses. The movies paid better, and were less risky, so he returned to the west coast and a career that saw him in over 300 movies.
Died of a heart attack while visiting his mother in the retirement community where, not only she, but he himself lived.
A prize belt buckle that he won for calf roping was stolen from his car when he visited Houston in 1976; on a repeat visit a decade later, he was an on-air guest on radio station KIKK when a caller returned the buckle to him.
Johnson and his father, Ben Johnson, Sr., were champion steer ropers. The senior Johnson was also a cattleman and rancher who was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1961. The younger Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1982.
His father, Ben Johnson, Sr., was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the Rodeo Historical Society (a support group of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum) in 1961. The Ben Johnson Memorial Award, in honor of his father, is awarded annually to prominent representatives of the western character and spirit (since 1998).
Johnson, his father, and nephew have Belt-Buckle awards for team roping.
Had Cherokee and Irish blood.
Had initially turned down the role of Sam the Lion in The Last Picture Show when it was first offered to him by Peter Bogdanovich because he thought the script was "dirty", and he did not approve of swearing and nudity in motion pictures. Bogdanovich appealed to John Ford , who got Johnson to change his mind as a favor to him. With the permission of Bogdanovich, Johnson rewrote his role with the offensive words removed. Johnson went on to win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for playing the role.
Johnson got his first big break as a member of John Ford s stock company in the late 1940s. However, during the making of Rio Grande , Johnson and Ford had a brief verbal argument. All seemed well afterward, and nothing further was said of it, so Ben assumed it was completely blown over. However, Ford didnt use Johnson again in another picture for 14 years, when Ben played a small role in Cheyenne Autumn . Johnsons lifelong friend Harry Carey Jr. said he believed the reason was that when Ford was casting The Sun Shines Bright , Johnsons agent heard that Ford wanted him for the role, called Ford--without Johnsons knowledge--and demanded a hefty salary. Outraged at having been squeezed like that, Ford held it against Johnson, and used that and the argument they had during "Rio Grande" as an excuse not to use him again. They did manage to maintain a friendly relationship nonetheless.
Had appeared in three movies where his first name was Travis: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon , Sergeant Travis Tyree; Wagon Master , Travis Blue; Rio Grande , Trooper Travis Tyree.
Also doubled for Randolph Scott.
His wife, Carol, was the daughter of Clarence Young "Fats" Jones, owner of Fats Jones Stables, who supplied horses to many movies and television series.
Since both he and his father were named "Ben", the younger Johnson was known as "Son" at home. The road marker to the actors ranch near Shidler, Oklahoma declares it as Ben "Son" Johnsons ranch.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7082 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on June 2, 1994.
Had appeared with John Wayne in eight films: Tall in the Saddle , 3 Godfathers , Fort Apache , She Wore a Yellow Ribbon , Rio Grande , The Undefeated , Chisum and The Train Robbers .
Had appeared with Harry Carey Jr. in eight films: 3 Godfathers , She Wore a Yellow Ribbon , Rio Grande , Wagon Master , Cheyenne Autumn , The Undefeated , "Wild Times" , The Shadow Riders and Cherry 2000 .
Bens great grandfather Calvin C. Johnson (1840-1915) served in the Confederate States Army with the 14th Arkansas Infantry.
Ben was also in The Rare Breed with Harry Carey Jr.
Graduated from Clinton High School in Clinton, Missouri.
Former Olympic sprinter.
Was hired by Lybias dictator Muammar Gadaffi to coach his son Al-Saadi, who wanted to be a professional soccer player.
Appeared on a TV commercial advertising an energy drink called "Cheetah Power Surge".
After winning the 100m race at the 1987 World Championships, setting a new world record in 9,83 seconds, he won the same competition at the 1988 Olympic Summer Games in extraordinary 9,79 seconds. Three days later, the IOC confirmed that his urine samples contained steroids, so he was disqualified. As he admitted also being doped at the World Championships, his record was first world record was also deleted (September 1988).
This is better than bricklaying,The mind may never achieve or express anything great unless emotion plays a part.
I know no such disease of the soul, but ignorance.
Things wrote with labor deserve to be so read and will last their age.
A poet in his senses knocks vainly at the gates of poetry.
They that know no evil will suspect none.
Tis no shame to follow the better precedent.
The way to rise is to obey and please. .
