Rita Johnson(1913-1965)

Actress
Soundtrack

Play trailer2:12

The Major and the Minor (1942)

Rita Johnson was born on August 13, 1913 in Worcester, Massachusetts. She attended the New England Conservatory of Music, did summer stock; then moved on to Broadway in 1935. She was an extremely versatile actress, who played virtually every type of role. Unfortunately, her career came to a halt in 1948 after a hair dryer fell on her head, causing brain damage. Brain surgery was performed, but thereafter her screen time was very limited. She died in Los Angeles County General Hospital on Oct. 31, 1965. Miss Johnson was only 52 years old.

IMDbProStarmeter See rank

Photos111

+ 105

Known for

The Big Clock

7.6

Pauline York

1948

Nick Carter, Master Detective

6.2

Lou Farnsby

1939

The Major and the Minor

7.3

Pamela Hill

1942

Appointment for Love

5.8

Nancy Benson

1941

Credits

IMDbPro

Actress

All Mine to Give
7.2
- Katie Tyler
- 1957
Emergency Hospital
6.0
- Head Nurse Norma Mullin
- 1956
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
7.4
TV Series
- Mrs. Van Schuyler
- 1955
The Man Behind the Badge
7.0
TV Series
- Ruth
- 1955
The Lone Wolf
7.6
TV Series
- Millie
- 1954
The Christophers
7.7
TV Series
- 1954
Susan Slept Here
6.4
- Dr. Rawley - Harvey's Shrink
- 1954
Your Favorite Story
6.9
TV Series
- 1954
Rebound
6.1
TV Series
- Kit Creetch
- 1952
Mr. & Mrs. North
7.4
TV Series
- Lily Storm
- 1952
The Second Face
5.9
- Claire Elwood
- 1950
Family Honeymoon
6.3
- Minna Fenster
- 1948
An Innocent Affair
6.1
- Eve Lawrence
- 1948
The Big Clock
7.6
- Pauline York
- 1948
Sleep, My Love
6.8
- Barby
- 1948

Soundtrack

Videos3

Here Comes Mr. Jordan

Personal details

Height
- 5′ 4¼″ (1.63 m)
Born
- August 13, 1913
- Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
Died
- October 31, 1965
- Hollywood, California, USA(brain hemorrhage)
Spouses
Parents
Relatives
- William James Johnson Jr.(Sibling)
Other works
Stage Play: Fulton of Oak Falls. Comedy. Written by George M. Cohan, based on a story by Parker Fennelly. Directed by Sam Forrest. Morosco Theatre: 10 Feb 1937- Mar 1937 (closing date unknown/37 performances). Cast: George M. Cohan (as "Ed Fulton, of Oak Falls"), Edward Craven (as "Bobby Crawford"), William David, Gilberta Faust, Kathryn Givney, Edna Holland (as "Bertha Douglas"), Rita Johnson (as "Elaine Tilson, Mrs. Tilson's daughter") [only Broadway role], Robert Light (as "Harry Sheldon, Ed's daughter's friend"), Frances McHugh, Doro Merande (as "Mildred, hotel maid"), Jessamine Newcombe, Brandon Peters (as "Rev. George Halliday"), Edwin Redding (as "Simms"), Harold Vermilyea (as "Corey, Ed's Brother-in-law"), Harold Woolf (as "Charlie"). Produced by George M. Cohan and Sam Harris.
Publicity listings
- 4 Articles
- 6 Pictorials

Did you know

Trivia
After a hair drier supposedly fell on her head and a doctor was called for her, the doctor noted that apart from her current injuries there were a number of old bruises on various parts of her body. Detectives investigating the injuries, however, reported nothing to indicate it was anything other than an accident. Rumors continued but were never confirmed that she was romantically involved with a gangster who had beaten her. Previous beatings, it was alleged, had caused the old bruises.