Arte Johnson American comedian Date of Birth: 20.01.1929 Country: USA

1. Arthur Johnson: A Versatile Comedian
2. Early Life and Education
3. Television and Film Roles
4. "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In"
5. Later Career
6. Voiceover Work
7. Retirement and Legacy

Arthur Johnson: A Versatile Comedian

Born Arthur Stanton Eric Johnson on January 20, 1929, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the comedian known as Arte Johnson was destined for entertainment. Raised by Abraham Lincoln Johnson and Edith Mackenzie Johnson, Johnson's father was an attorney.

Early Life and Education

Johnson's interest in performing began at the University of Illinois, where he worked at the student radio station and joined the student theatre alongside his brother, Coslow "Cos" Johnson. Graduating in 1949, Johnson aspired for a Broadway career and eventually relocated to Los Angeles in the 1950s.

Television and Film Roles

Johnson's television credits included guest appearances in "Bewitched," "Make Room for Daddy," "General Hospital," and "The Gong Show." He also lent his voice to the ghost Weird in "The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo." On the big screen, Johnson starred in films like "Subterraneans" and "The President's Analyst."

"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In"

Johnson's breakout role came in the sketch comedy show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." As "Wolfgang," a German soldier still believing World War II was ongoing, his catchphrase, "Very interesting," became iconic. His other "Laugh-In" character, an elderly man paired with Ruth Buzzi, left his fellow cast members in stitches.

Later Career

Despite winning an Emmy for his work on "Laugh-In," Johnson never achieved the same level of success. He continued to guest star in shows like "The Twilight Zone" and "Love at First Bite." In 1987's "Murder, She Wrote," Johnson's character was murdered, leading to speculation that he had committed suicide.

Voiceover Work

Johnson's versatility extended to voice acting, with over 80 audiobooks to his credit, including Gary Shteyngart's "Absurdistan" and Carl Hiaasen's "Bad Monkey." He also voiced the supervillain Vundabar in "Justice League Unlimited."

Retirement and Legacy

Johnson retired in 2006, having outlived his wife, Gisela Johnson, by over 50 years. He passed away on July 3, 2019, at the age of 90 from heart failure. Arthur Johnson's unique comedic talent and memorable characters continue to entertain audiences worldwide.