Arte Johnson

Arthur Stanton Eric "Arte" Johnson (January 20, 1929 – July 3, 2019) was an American actor and comedian, who was best known for his work as a regular, portraying himself, in the NBC sketch comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967–1971).

Biography Early life Johnson was born January 20, 1929, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the son of Abraham Lincoln and Edythe Mackenzie (Goldberg/Golden) Johnson. His father was an attorney. Johnson graduated from Austin High School and received a bachelor's degree in radio journalism from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1949, where he worked at the campus radio station and the University of Illinois Theater Guild with his brother Coslough "Cos" Johnson.

Following brief military service in Korea (he was discharged due to a duodenal ulcer he had suffered since childhood), he sought employment in Chicago advertising agencies but was unsuccessful and left for New York City to work for Viking Press. In early 1954, Johnson performed in several New York nightclubs, including Le Ruban Bleu and the Village Vanguard. His first job in show business came when he impulsively stepped into an audition line and was cast in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Johnson appeared in Ben Bagley's The Shoestring Revue, which opened off-Broadway on February 28, 1955, at the President Theater in New York.

Early television and film roles Johnson appeared three times in the 1955–1956 CBS sitcom It's Always Jan, starring Janis Paige and Merry Anders. In 1956 a young Arte Johnson appeared in season 3, episode 22, of Make Room for Daddy in an episode called "Who Can Figure Kids", where he sang and danced. In 1958 he joined the cast of the short-lived NBC sitcom Sally. On that program he played Bascomb Bleacher, Jr., the son of a co-owner of a department store, portrayed by Gale Gordon. He played Ariel Lavalerra in the 1960 film The Subterraneans, an adaptation of Jack Kerouac's 1958 novel of the same name. In 1960 and 1961, he appeared in three episodes of Jackie Cooper's military sitcom/drama series Hennesey, also on CBS. In Alfred Hitchcock Presents he played Mr. Bates in the episode "A Secret Life" (1962). He was cast in an episode of Frank Aletter's sitcom Bringing Up Buddy. He also appeared in an episode of The Twilight Zone titled "The Whole Truth" (1961).

Before his big breakthrough in Laugh-In, Johnson was cast for a guest role as Corporal Coogan in the anthology series GE True ("The Handmade Private," 1962). He played a bumbling navy cameraman on an episode of McHale's Navy in the first season and The Andy Griffith Show as a hotel clerk in the episode "Andy and Barney in the Big City" (also 1962). He was a member of the regular cast of the 1962–1963 situation comedy Don't Call Me Charlie!, portraying Corporal Lefkowitz. Johnson appeared in a comedic role as Charlie, a boom-microphone operator who demonstrates to Jack Benny how to tell a joke properly, on The Jack Benny Program that aired on October 2, 1964. The joke performed in the sketch was the "ugly baby" story, later associated with Flip Wilson. He made a guest appearance on ABC's sitcom, Bewitched as Samantha's (Elizabeth Montgomery) Cousin Edgar in the final episode of the first season, airing on June 2, 1965. Also in 1965, Johnson played a rare dramatic supporting role in the film The Third Day as Lester Aldrich, who turns out to be the downtrodden husband of the sleazy nymphomaniac Holly.

Johnson appeared in one of the final episodes of ABC's The Donna Reed Show in 1966. He was cast in the satirical James Coburn film The President's Analyst (1967), in which he gave a comically chilling performance as a federal agent with a blindly obedient "orders are orders" mentality. He appeared in the Season 3 episode of Lost in Space titled "Princess of Space" (1968). Johnson also starred in an episode of Rod Serling's Night Gallery titled "The Flip-Side of Satan" (1971).

Laugh-In Johnson is best known for his work on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In from 1968 to 1973, on which he played many characters, including "Wolfgang," a cigarette-smoking German soldier oblivious to the fact that World War II was long over, as he skulked while hidden behind a potted plant. He would then invariably comment on a preceding gag with the catchphrase "Very interesting ...," which Johnson claimed was inspired by a Nazi character who spoke the line during an interrogation scene in the film Desperate Journey (1942). Often toward the show's close, he (as the German) would offer words of affection to "Lucy and Gary" (Lucille Ball and her second husband Gary Morton). The Lucy Show and later Here's Lucy on CBS were in direct competition with NBC's Laugh-In on Monday night. Johnson reprised the role briefly on Sesame Street in the early 1970s, and while voicing the Nazi-inspired character Virman Vundabar on an episode of Justice League Unlimited. Johnson as "Tyrone F. Horneigh" approaching Lucille Ball in a sketch on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (1971) His other prominent Laugh-In character was "Tyrone F. Horneigh" (pronounced "horn-eye," a "clean" variant of the vulgar term "horny"), the white-haired, trench coat-wearing "dirty old man" who repeatedly sought to seduce "Gladys Ormphby," (Ruth Buzzi's brown-clad "spinster" character) on a park bench. Tyrone would enter the scene, muttering a song (usually "In the Merry, Merry Month of May"), and, spying Gladys on the bench, would sit next to her. He would ask her a question, and regardless of the answer, turn it into a double entendre. She would then start hitting him with her purse and he would fall off the bench, sometimes with a plea for help.

To boost ratings in the third season, Tyrone courted Gladys in an on-air wedding storyline on the March 16, 1970, episode, with Henry Gibson appearing as the officiating parson and Tiny Tim and Carol Channing joining the festivities. Alas, both bride-to-be and groom-to-be walk out of the church just before the wedding vows are spoken.

Years after Laugh-In ended, the two characters were the subject of an animated Saturday-morning children's show, Baggy Pants and the Nitwits, with Tyrone as a helpful, muttering "superhero."

Johnson and his brother Coslough earned Emmy Awards while working on Laugh-In.

Later work Johnson guest-starred in two episodes of The Partridge Family ("My Heart Belongs to a Two Car Garage" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls... and Tolls... and Tolls") and the situation comedy A Touch of Grace (1973). He appeared in the first season of the Detroit-produced children's show Hot Fudge (1974) and, for one week, as a celebrity guest panelist on the game show Match Game. From 1976 to 1980, Johnson was a regular celebrity guest judge on The Gong Show.

In 1976, Johnson voiced the animated cartoon character Misterjaw, a blue, German-accented shark, in The Pink Panther Show. He also voiced the character "Rhubarb" on The Houndcats and appeared as a guest on Canadian TV show Celebrity Cooks (1976) with host Bruno Gerussi. Johnson appeared on an episode of the NBC daytime version of Wheel of Fortune in September 1977 as a substitute letter-turner, both to fill in for an injured Susan Stafford, and to promote his short-lived NBC game show Knockout, which aired through early 1978. Instead of being introduced by the show's announcer, he would start the show with a small monologue, then the announcer would introduce the day's contestants. He was cast as Renfield, the comic sidekick of George Hamilton's Dracula in the film Love at First Bite (1979) and appeared in the all-star television disaster film Condominium (1980). He voiced "Weerd" in The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo (1985), and played a disgruntled employee denied severance pay in an episode of Airwolf. He also voiced several other characters: Dr. Ludwig Von Strangebuck and Count Ray on two episodes of DuckTales; Devil Smurf on The Smurfs; Top Cat and Lou on Yo Yogi!; and Newt on Animaniacs. Johnson guest-starred in the Murder, She Wrote episode "No Laughing Murder" (1987). He also appeared in an episode of Night Court (1990). From 1991 to 1992, Johnson appeared in multiple episodes of General Hospital as Finian O'Toole. He played the old laboratory head of a team of scientists working on a serum of youth in Second Chance (1996).

Johnson performed more than 80 audiobook readings, including Gary Shteyngart's Absurdistan (2006) and Carl Hiaasen's Bad Monkey. He appeared in the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Ties That Bind" (2005) as the voice of Virman Vundabar, which was his final acting role before his retirement in 2005.

Personal life Johnson lived in Southern California with his wife, Gisela. They had four children: Antonia, Joanna, Danny, and Dae. He was previously married to choreographer Texie Waterman.

Health problems and death Johnson was a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, which was diagnosed and successfully treated in 1997. Johnson died at his home in Los Angeles, on July 3, 2019, just three years after being diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancers. He was 90. His ashes were scattered off Hawaii. Gisela Johnson survives him.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes1956 Miracle in the Rain Monty 1959 The Wild and the Innocent Barker Uncredited1960 The Subterraneans Arial Lavalerra 1965 The Third Day Lester Aldrich That Funny Feeling Paul 1967 The President's Analyst Sullivan 1968 P.J. Jackie 1977 Charge of the Model T's Doc Bailey 1979 Love At First Bite Renfield 1983 Making of a Male Model Marty Sampson 1984 Cannonball Run II Pilot 1985 What Comes Around Malone Alice in Wonderland The Dormouse 1988 A Night at the Magic Castle Harry Houdini 1989 Tax Season Mr. Goldberg 1990 Evil Spirits Lester Potts 1992 Evil Toons Mr. Hinchlow Munchie Professor Cruikshank 1995 Captiva Island Witherspoon, Ernie 1998 The Modern Adventures of Tom Sawyer Grumpy Old Man Final film role

Television Year Title Role Notes 1954 Max Liebman Spectaculars Chuck Green Episode: "Best Foot Forward" 1955–1956 It's Always Jan Stanley Schreiber 4 episodes 1956 The Danny Thomas Show Bob Martin Episode: "Who Can Figure Kids?" 1958 Sally Bascomb Bleacher Jr. 7 episodes 1959 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Wally Episode: "Ivy League" 1960 The Red Skelton Show Joe, Census Taker 2 episodes 1960–1961 Hennesey Seaman Seymour Shatz 3 episodes 1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Mr. Bates, the Private Investigator Season 6 Episode 33: "A Secret Life" The Twilight Zone Irv Episode: "The Whole Truth" Westinghouse Playhouse Clerk Episode: "Nan Suits Dan" Frontier Circus Charles Gippner Episode: "Journey from Hannibal" 87th Precinct Hotel Clerk Episode: "The Very Hard Sell" 1962 The Bob Newhart Show Himself 1 episode Dr. Kildare Bud Fowler Episode: "The Glory Hunter" The Andy Griffith Show Hotel Clerk Episode: "Andy and Barney in the Big City" GE True Corporal Coogan Episode: "The Handmade Private" 1962–1963 Don't Call Me Charlie! Corporal Lefkowitz 18 episodes 1963 McHale's Navy Sweeney Episode: "Camera, Action, Panic" 1964 The Greatest Show on Earth Mario Episode: "Man in a Hole" Destry Lester Episode: "Deputy for a Day" The Jack Benny Program Charlie Episode: "The Lucille Ball Show" Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre Beatnik, Chip Broadwater 2 episodes Many Happy Returns Virgil Slamm Episode: "Krockmeyer on Avon" 1965 Broadside Charlie Episode: "The Stowawaves" The Cara Williams Show Fenwick Jr. Episode: "Fletcher Succeeds in Business Without Really Trying" Bewitched Cousin Edgar Episode: "Cousin Edgar" 1966 The Dick Van Dyke Show Bill Schermerhorn Episode: "I Do Not Choose to Run" The Donna Reed Show Crandall Episode: "Is There a Small Hotel?" The Pruitts of Southampton Ahmed Episode: "Phyllis Entertains Royalty" 1966–1967 The Super 6 Super Scuba Voice 1967–1971 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In Himself 93 episodes 1968 The Joey Bishop Show 2 episodes Lost in Space Fedor Episode: "Princess of Space" The Legend of Robin Hood Much 1 episode 1968–1980 Hollywood Squares Himself 99 episodes 1969 I Dream of Jeannie Episode: "The Biggest Star in Hollywood" The Pink Panther Show Misterjaw Voice Love, American Style Harvey Episode: "Love and the Living Doll" 1969–1970 The Andy Williams Show Himself 4 episodes 1969–1977 Storybook Squares Wolfgang the Nazi, Beethoven 46 episodes 1970 Sesame Street German Soldier (Wolfgang) 1 episode 1970–1972 The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Himself 4 episodes The David Frost Show 5 episodes 1970–1974 The Dean Martin Show 4 episodes 1971 Night Gallery J.J. Wilson Episode: "Since Aunt Ada Came to Stay/With Apologies to Mr. Hyde/The Flip-Side of Satan"Arnold's Closet RevueTV film 1971–1976 The Mike Douglas Show Himself 11 episodes 1972 The Houndcats Rhubarb 13 episodes 1972–1973 The Partridge Family Morris Tinkler, Nicholas Minsky Pushkin 2 episodes Celebrity Bowling Himself 4 episodes 1973 The Bob Hope Show 1 episodeThe Bear Who Slept Through ChristmasProfessor Werner von BearVoice, television film A Touch of Grace Charlie Episode: "The Lodge" 1974 Here's Lucy Sir Osbird Beechman Place Episode: "Lucy Is a Bird-Sitter" Salty Chuck Episode: "Scape Goat"Twice in a LifetimeRon TalleyTV film 1974–1976 Dinah! Himself 8 episodes 1974–1978 Match Game Himself 15 episodes 1975 Get Christie Love! Morton Perkins Episode: "Murder on High C" The Rookies Justin Episode: "S.W.A.T." 1975–1976 Tattletales Himself 10 episodes 1975–1977 The Bobby Vinton Show 12 episodes 1975–1979 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 6 episodes 1976 The Merv Griffin Show 1 episode Celebrity Sweepstakes 4 episodes Jigsaw John Daltry Thomas Episode: "Too Much, Too Soon" 1977 Baggy Pants and the Nitwits Tyrone 13 episodesOnce Upon a Brothers GrimmSelfish and MeanTV filmBunco 1977–1987 The Love Boat Various characters 8 episodes1978Bud and LouEddie ShermanTV film Kojak Billy Butler Episode: "Photo Must Credit Joe Paxton" 1978–1981 Fantasy Island Ned Plummer, Fred Catlett, Professor Dwayne Clebe, Edgar Breen 4 episodes 1979 The Dukes of Hazzard Irving Episode: "Double Sting"1980CondominiumIntroductionTV filmThe Love TapesHarlan DevaneA Snow White ChristmasBrawny 1980–1981 CBS Library Various voices 2 episodes 1981 Password Plus Himself 5 episodes 1982 The Magical World of Disney Theodore Oglivie Episode: "Tales of the Apple Dumpling Gang" 1983 Fame Cliff Armbruster Episode: "Star Quality" Pac-Man Additional Voices Episode: "Here's Super-Pac!/Hey, Hey, Hey... It's P.J." The Dukes Additional voices 7 episodes Hotel Eddie Episode: "The Offer" 1983–1988 The Smurfs Devil Smurf, Avalon Custodian, additional voices 13 episodes 1984 Trapper John, M.D. Dr. Augustus Bunche Episode: "Play Your Hunch" 1984–1985 Glitter Clive Richlin 14 episodes 1985 Airwolf Larry Mason Episode: "Severance Pay" The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo Weerd Voice, 13 episodes The A-Team Sydney, Uncle Buckle-Up Episode: "Uncle Buckle-Up"Star FairiesDragon Head #2Voice, television film 1986 Foofur Additional voices 3 episodes The New Mike Hammer Oscar Episode: "Murder in the Cards" 1986–1988 The Flintstone Kids Additional voices 34 episodes 1987 Murder, She Wrote Phil Rinker Episode: "No Laughing Murder" DuckTales Count Ray, Dr. Ludwig von Strangeduck Voice, 2 episodesScooby-Doo Meets the Boo BrothersFarquard, Skull GhostVoice, television film 1987–1988 Snorks Additional Voices 2 episodes 1988 The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley 13 episodes 1988–1989 Fantastic Max 3 episodes 1989 The Further Adventures of SuperTed Hummingbird Episode: "Dot's Entertainment" 1990 Night Court Gregor Korolenko Episode: "The Glasnost Menagerie" Adam-12 Preacher Episode: "Kid Kop" 1990–1992 Tom & Jerry Kids Unknown voices 2 episodes 1991 Pros and Cons Landers Episode: "It's the Pictures That Got Small" Yo Yogi! Lou Voice, 9 episodes 1991–1992 General Hospital Finian O'Toole Recurring 1992 Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures Albert Einstein Episode: "A Stand Up Guy" 1993 Droopy, Master Detective Shadowman Voice, episode: "Shadowman and the Blue Pigeon" Parker Lewis Can't Lose Hotel Desk Clerk Episode: "A Night to Remember" Café Americain Pascal Episode: "Every Picture Tells a Story... Don't It?" 1994 SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron Pop Perkins Voice, episode: "A Bright and Shiny Future" 1994–1997 Animaniacs Newt, Delivery Guy Voice, 3 episodes 1996 Mad About You Arte Johnson Episode: "Dream Weaver" 1997 Adventures from the Book of Virtues John's Please Voice, episode: "Respect" 1998 The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Tommy Tettrazinne Voice, episode: "Casino Evil/Happy Bathday to You" 2005 Justice League Unlimited Virman Vundabar Voice, episode: "The Ties That Bind"