Tor Johnson

• Name — Tor Johnson • Birth Name — Karl Erik Tore Johansson • Born — 19 October 1903 • Birthplace — Brännkyrka, Stockholms län, Sweden • Died — 12 May 1971 • Place of death — San Fernando, California, U.S. • Resting Place — Plot 177, Eternal Valley Memorial Park, Newhall, Santa Clarita, California • Other Names — * Super Swedish Angel • Thor Johnson • King Kong • Occupation — Professional wrestler, actor • Years Active — 1934–1961 • Spouse — Greta Maria Alfrida Johansson • Children — 1

Johnson was born on 19 October 1903 in Brännkyrka, Stockholms län, Sweden as Karl Erik Tore Johansson to Karl Johan Johansson and Lovisa Kristina Pettersson. His death certificate and grave list 1903 as the year of his birth, contradicting published genealogy records. Johnson's wrestler's license renewal application to the State Athletic Commission of California, signed by Johnson in 1936, lists his date of birth as 19 October 1906.

• Illustration — Johnson in Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957) Johnson stood and weighed 440 lb at his heaviest. He had a full head of blond hair, but shaved it to maintain an imposing and villainous appearance in his wrestling and acting work. He began getting bit parts in films upon moving to California, usually as the strongman or weightlifter, as early as 1934. In the same year, Johnson was one of over 50 wrestlers who took part in a two-month Los Angeles tournament for California's version of the world title. His film career ended in the early 1960s, after he appeared in a string of low-budget, poorly-rated films. However, he continued to make appearances on television and made a number of commercials. Tor Johnson used the ring name Super Swedish Angel to distinguish himself from Nils Phillip Olofsson who used the ring name Swedish Angel. The name was derived from wrestler Maurice Tillet, known as The French Angel. During his career as an actor, Johnson befriended director Ed Wood, who directed him in a number of films, including Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space; writing for Turner Classic Movies, film critic Donald Liebenson described Johnson's performance in Plan 9 as "gonzo." Johnson was very friendly to work with; actress Valda Hansen, who worked with Johnson in 1959's Night of the Ghouls, described him as "like a big sugar bun." During this period, Johnson appeared as a guest contestant on the quiz show You Bet Your Life, during which he showed the show's host, Groucho Marx, his "scariest face." Marx ran off the stage in mock terror, then returned and pleaded: "Don't make that face again!"

• Year — Series — Role — Episode • 1953–1954 — You Are There — "The Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown" "The Surrender of Corregidor" • 1954 — General Electric Theater — Bald Man — "To Lift a Feather" • 1954 — Rocky Jones, Space Ranger — Naboro — "Inferno in Space" • 1956 — The Adventures of Hiram Holliday — Bandini the Strongman — "Dancing Mouse" • 1959 — You Bet Your Life — Tor Johnson — #59-11 • 1960 — Adventures in Paradise — Miko — "Once Around the Circuit" "The Lady From South Chicago" • 1960 — Peter Gunn — Bruno — "See No Evil" • 1960 — Bonanza — Busthead Brannigan — "San Francisco" • 1961 — Shirley Temple's Storybook — The Strongman — "Pippi Longstocking"

Tor Johnson was recorded at birth as Karl Erik Tore Johansson. He also worked under the names The Super Swedish Angel, The Swedish Angel and King Kong. The authorities additionally record the heading Karl Erik Tore Johansson. His recorded languages were Swedish and English.

Tor Johnson is recorded as professional wrestler and actor.