Rita Johnson

  • Rita Johnson
  • Rita Johnson
  • Rita Johnson
Who's Dated Who feature on Rita Johnson including awards, trivia, quotes, pictures, biography, photos, videos, pics, news, commentary, vital stats, fans and facts.
 

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Rita Johnson Biography

She was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and attended the New England Conservatory of Music. She began acting on Broadway in 1935 and started her film career two years after that. She had a memorable role in the RKO black-and-white film noir They Won`t Believe Me (1947) playing the doomed wife of cheater Robert Young. She also was memorable in Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) and The Big Clock (1948). Johnson`s film career came almost to a complete stop after a 1948 freak accident (a hair dryer fell on her head) that required delicate brain surgery. Her screen time in movies after that was limited due to her reduced mobility and powers of concentration. She also suffered as an alcoholic from the time of her injuries until her death.
 

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Snapshot

    Name Rita Johnson
    (Rita McSean)
    Height 5' 4¼"  (163 cm)
    Build Slim
    Date of Birth August 131913
    Birthplace Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
    Star Sign Leo
    Died October 311965 (Aged 52)
    Location of Death Hollywood, California
    Cause of Death brain hemorrhage
    Nationality American
    Ethnicity White
    Occupation Actress
    Celebrity Index Ri

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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.
  • Became an alcoholic after her accident in 1948. An autopsy showed she suffered from liver disease and alcohol induced encephalitis.
  • Her drama teacher told her she had no talent. Years later, after appearing in several Hollywood movies, Rita received a letter of apology from the teacher, which also complimented her on her fine work on screen. Rita had the letter framed and hung it on her dressing room wall.
  • At one time she considered entering the Olympics as a swimmer, but couldn`t afford the money required to hire a trainer.
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