Chic Johnson
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Born Name:
Harold Ogden Johnson
Born Date: April 15, 1891
Born Place: Chicago, Illinois
Died Date: February 26, 1962
Died Place: Las Vegas, Nevada
Occupations: Vaudevillian, comedian
Brief Biography: Harold Ogden "Chic" Johnson was best known as the barrel-chested half of the madcap vaudeville comedy duo Olsen and Johnson. Famous for his high-pitched, infectious "Woo-Woo" laugh, Johnson co-created the legendary Broadway sensation Hellzapoppin'.
Early Life and Partnership:
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Johnson originally studied classical piano at the Chicago Music College. He dropped out to work as a ragtime pianist in local vaudeville houses. In 1914, he met violinist Ole Olsen when they were hired by the same musical band. Following the band's breakup, they pivoted to comedy and officially formed their duo. By 1918, they were recognized as national vaudeville headliners. Unlike traditional comedy duos consisting of a straight man and a comic stooge, both Olsen and Johnson played comical, eccentric roles. Their act relied heavily on rapid-fire blackout gags, unexpected explosions, flying props, and heavy audience participation.
Rise to Broadway and Hollywood Success:
In 1930, the duo signed a contract with Warner Bros. for musical-comedy relief. They appeared in early sound films such as Oh, Sailor Behave! (1930) and Fifty Million Frenchmen (1931).The duo achieved monumental success on Broadway when they produced and starred in the anarchic musical revue Hellzapoppin'. Opening in 1938, it became one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history with 1,404 performances. Universal Pictures adapted the production into the hit 1941 movie Hellzapoppin'.
Later Career and Retirement:
Throughout the 1940s, the duo starred in several comedy features, including Crazy House (1943) and Ghost Catchers (1944). They also made early television appearances on programs like NBC's All Star Revue. However, their three-dimensional, chaotic style of live theater proved difficult to fully translate to small television screens. By the mid-1950s, the team moved their act to steady engagements at hotel-casinos in Las Vegas. Failing health eventually forced Johnson into retirement.
Born Date: April 15, 1891
Born Place: Chicago, Illinois
Died Date: February 26, 1962
Died Place: Las Vegas, Nevada
Occupations: Vaudevillian, comedian
Brief Biography: Harold Ogden "Chic" Johnson was best known as the barrel-chested half of the madcap vaudeville comedy duo Olsen and Johnson. Famous for his high-pitched, infectious "Woo-Woo" laugh, Johnson co-created the legendary Broadway sensation Hellzapoppin'.
Early Life and Partnership:
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Johnson originally studied classical piano at the Chicago Music College. He dropped out to work as a ragtime pianist in local vaudeville houses. In 1914, he met violinist Ole Olsen when they were hired by the same musical band. Following the band's breakup, they pivoted to comedy and officially formed their duo. By 1918, they were recognized as national vaudeville headliners. Unlike traditional comedy duos consisting of a straight man and a comic stooge, both Olsen and Johnson played comical, eccentric roles. Their act relied heavily on rapid-fire blackout gags, unexpected explosions, flying props, and heavy audience participation.
Rise to Broadway and Hollywood Success:
In 1930, the duo signed a contract with Warner Bros. for musical-comedy relief. They appeared in early sound films such as Oh, Sailor Behave! (1930) and Fifty Million Frenchmen (1931).The duo achieved monumental success on Broadway when they produced and starred in the anarchic musical revue Hellzapoppin'. Opening in 1938, it became one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history with 1,404 performances. Universal Pictures adapted the production into the hit 1941 movie Hellzapoppin'.
Later Career and Retirement:
Throughout the 1940s, the duo starred in several comedy features, including Crazy House (1943) and Ghost Catchers (1944). They also made early television appearances on programs like NBC's All Star Revue. However, their three-dimensional, chaotic style of live theater proved difficult to fully translate to small television screens. By the mid-1950s, the team moved their act to steady engagements at hotel-casinos in Las Vegas. Failing health eventually forced Johnson into retirement.