Ben Johnson
Known for
A genuine cowboy before an actor, a rodeo champion, stuntman and Oklahoma rancher, Ben Johnson brought to the screen a Western authenticity impossible to fake. Trained in John Ford's company, he shone in westerns such as 'Rio Grande', 'Wagon Master' and 'The Searchers'. His portrayal of the wistful Sam the Lion in Peter Bogdanovich's 'The Last Picture Show' (1971) won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, crowning decades of quiet work. He also took part in Sam Peckinpah's classic 'The Wild Bunch' (1969) and in 'The Getaway'. A consummate horseman and a man of few words, he embodied like few others the quiet, weathered dignity of the cowboy, on and off camera.
Ben Johnson
61 Movies
10 Series
A genuine cowboy before an actor, a rodeo champion, stuntman and Oklahoma rancher, Ben Johnson brought to the screen a Western authenticity impossible to fake. Trained in John Ford's company, he shone in westerns such as 'Rio Grande', 'Wagon Master' and 'The Searchers'. His portrayal of the wistful Sam the Lion in Peter Bogdanovich's 'The Last Picture Show' (1971) won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, crowning decades of quiet work. He also took part in Sam Peckinpah's classic 'The Wild Bunch' (1969) and in 'The Getaway'. A consummate horseman and a man of few words, he embodied like few others the quiet, weathered dignity of the cowboy, on and off camera.
Movies
Plays Sam the Lion
The Last Picture Show
1971
Plays Marshal Dave Bliss
Hang 'em High
1968
Plays Hank Murphy
Angels in the Outfield
1994
Plays Tector Gorch
The Wild Bunch
1969
Plays Mason
Red Dawn
1984
Plays Chris Calloway
Shane
1953
Plays Sgt. Tyree
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
1949
Plays Captain Tanner
The Sugarland Express
1974
Plays Trooper Travis Tyree
Rio Grande
1950
Plays Bob Amory
One-Eyed Jacks
1961
Plays Jack Beynon
The Getaway
1972
Plays Geronimo Bill
Radio Flyer
1992
Plays James Pepper
Chisum
1970
Plays Gregg Johnson
Mighty Joe Young
1949
Plays Felix
The Swarm
1978
Plays Deputy U.S. Marshal Nathan Pearce
Breakheart Pass
1975
Plays Alex
Will Penny
1967
Plays Posse man #1
3 Godfathers
1948
Plays Short Grub
The Undefeated
1969
Plays Sheriff John Strong
The Hunter
1980
Plays Six Fingered Jake
Cherry 2000
1987
Plays Carne
Terror Train
1980
Plays Mister
Bite the Bullet
1975
Plays Sergeant Chillum
Major Dundee
1965
Plays Jeff Harter
The Rare Breed
1966
Plays Jesse
The Train Robbers
1973
Plays JD Morales
The Town That Dreaded Sundown
1976
Plays Melvin Purvis
Dillinger
1973
Plays Buck Roan
Junior Bonner
1972
Plays Mr. Burck Sr.
Let's Get Harry
1986
Plays Arthur Cotton
The Evening Star
1996
Plays George Bradley
Ten Who Dared
1960
Plays Marty Hollinger
Hustle
1975
Plays Travis Blue
Wagon Master
1950
Plays Hollis
The Greatest
1977
Plays Sheriff 'Mean John' Simpson
Kid Blue
1973
Plays John Colter
Grayeagle
1977
Plays Sam Bellows
Ruckus
1980
Plays Bronc Evans
Bonanza: The Return
1993
Plays Jesse Bookbinder
Something Big
1971
Plays Jesse Dalton
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
1991
Plays Cole Collins
Tex
1982
Plays Capt. Thomas Thompson
Fort Bowie
1958
Plays Luke Fargo
War Drums
1957
Plays Burly Cocks
Champions
1984
Plays Isum Gorch
Soggy Bottom, U.S.A.
1981
Plays Ben Shelby
Fort Defiance
1951
Plays Ranger
The Gallant Legion
1948
Plays Frank Mason
Rebel in Town
1956
Plays Dan Light (as an adult)
Wild Stallion
1952
TV Shows
Plays Doc Bogardus
Wild Times
1980
Plays Cap Rountree
The Sacketts
1979
Plays Ben Crown
Gunsmoke
1955
Plays Kelly
Perry Mason
1957
Plays Sheriff Jeff
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
Plays Spinner
The Virginian
1962
Plays Sheriff Barbee
ABC Stage 67
1966
Plays Cal Bennett
Cavalcade of America
1952
Plays Sgt. Samuel Bellis
Bonanza
1959
Plays Del McNab
Route 66
1960
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
The Evening Star
Full Filmography
The Evening Star
Arthur Cotton
1996
Film
Outlaws: The Legend of O.B. Taggart
Jack Parrish
1995
Film
Angels in the Outfield
Hank Murphy
1994
Film
Radio Flyer
Geronimo Bill
1992
Film
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Jesse Dalton
1991
Film
Back to Back
Eli Hix
1989
Film
Dark Before Dawn
The Sheriff
1988
Film
Cherry 2000
Six Fingered Jake
1987
Film
Let's Get Harry
Mr. Burck Sr.
1986
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ben Johnson still alive?
Ben Johnson passed away on April 8, 1996 at age 77.
What are the most famous roles of Ben Johnson?
Ben Johnson is best known for roles in The Wild Bunch, Red Dawn, Hang 'em High.
How many movies has Ben Johnson been in?
Over a 53-year career (since 1943), Ben Johnson has appeared in 61 movies and 9 TV shows.
What was Ben Johnson's first movie?
The career of Ben Johnson began with The Outlaw (1943).
What is Ben Johnson's most recent movie or series?
Ben Johnson's most recent release is The Evening Star, which premiered on December 25, 1996.
What TV shows has Ben Johnson appeared in?
On television, Ben Johnson has appeared in Bonanza, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, Gunsmoke.
Ben Johnson
1918-06-13 · Foraker, Shidler, Oklahoma, USA
Ben "Son" Johnson, Jr. (June 13, 1918 – April 8, 1996) was an American motion picture actor who was mainly cast in Westerns. He was also a rodeo cowboy, stuntman, and rancher.Ben Johnson (actor) , licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.