Chic Johnson
Actor
About Chic Johnson
Harold Ogden 'Chic' Johnson was a titan of early 20th-century comedy, best known as the exuberant, barrel-chested half of the legendary duo Olsen and Johnson. Born in Chicago, he began his career as a ragtime pianist before forming a partnership with violinist Ole Olsen in 1914 that would last nearly half a century. The pair revolutionized vaudeville with their 'nut comedy' style, characterized by rapid-fire gags, intentional chaos, and a complete disregard for the 'fourth wall.' After a series of early talkies for Warner Bros. in the 1930s, they achieved immortality on Broadway with the 1938 debut of 'Hellzapoppin,' which became one of the longest-running shows of its era. Johnson's infectious high-pitched 'Woo-Woo!' laugh and his ability to maintain a jovial demeanor amidst orchestrated mayhem made him a beloved figure in American entertainment. He continued to perform across stage, screen, and early television until his semi-retirement in the mid-1950s.
The Craft
On Screen
Johnson was the quintessential 'stooge-comic' who eschewed the traditional straight-man dynamic. His style was defined by high-energy slapstick, a signature high-pitched laugh, and a 'barrel-chested' physical presence that radiated good-natured enthusiasm. He was a master of 'nut comedy,' a subgenre of vaudeville that relied on non-sequiturs, audience interaction, and the use of 'plants' in the theater to create a sense of unpredictable anarchy.
Milestones
- Formed the comedy team Olsen and Johnson in 1914
- Signed a major film contract with Warner Bros. in 1930
- Created and starred in the Broadway smash hit 'Hellzapoppin' (1938), which ran for 1,404 performances
- Starred in the 1941 film adaptation of 'Hellzapoppin', a landmark of meta-comedy
- Pioneered early television variety formats with 'Fireball Fun-For-All' (1949)
- Introduced the comedy team Abbott and Costello to Broadway audiences in 'The Streets of Paris' (1939)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Donaldson Award for Best Musical (Hellzapoppin, 1939)
- Vaudeville Hall of Fame (Posthumous)
Nominated
- Academy Award nomination for Best Song 'Pig Foot Pete' in Hellzapoppin (1941) - though the song was actually from a different film, the nomination stands in the film's history
Special Recognition
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (6411 Hollywood Blvd)
- International Clown Hall of Fame Inductee
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Chic Johnson, along with Ole Olsen, fundamentally changed the relationship between the performer and the audience. By 'shattering' the fourth wall, they paved the way for the meta-humor seen in later decades by the likes of Mel Brooks, Monty Python, and 'The Muppet Show.' Their brand of 'Hellzapoppin' anarchy became a cultural shorthand for chaotic, surrealist comedy that refused to take the medium of film or theater seriously.
Lasting Legacy
Johnson's legacy is most visible in the 1941 film 'Hellzapoppin', which remains a cult classic studied for its innovative use of the film medium to mock itself. He is remembered as a pioneer of the variety show format that dominated early television. His influence persists in any comedy that uses self-referential gags or involves the audience as an active participant in the madness.
Who They Inspired
He directly influenced the structure of television variety shows like 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In' and 'Saturday Night Live.' Comedians such as Ernie Kovacs and the creators of 'Airplane!' have cited the Olsen and Johnson style as a precursor to their own brand of rapid-fire, visual absurdity.
Off Screen
Johnson was of Swedish descent, the son of John M. and Matilda Johnson. He was known for being incredibly close with his partner Ole Olsen; the two were inseparable professionally and personally for decades. He was a devoted family man who often involved his family in his touring life, maintaining a large estate in upstate New York that served as a retreat for his extended family and fellow performers.
Education
Self-taught ragtime pianist; attended public schools in Chicago before entering show business.
Family
- Catherine Creed (1918-1962)
Did You Know?
- His signature catchphrase and laugh was a high-pitched 'Woo-Woo!'
- He was an accomplished ragtime pianist before he ever told a joke on stage.
- The 1938 stage version of 'Hellzapoppin' was so chaotic that it featured a woman wandering the aisles calling for 'Oscar' and a man trying to deliver a plant that grew larger every time he appeared.
- Johnson and Olsen were so close that they are buried in adjacent plots at Palm Desert Memorial Cemetery in Las Vegas.
- He was known for his 'barrel-chested' physique, which he often used for physical comedy beats.
- The duo once owned a 1,000-acre farm in New York that they used as a creative retreat.
- They were among the first performers to use 'plants' (actors disguised as audience members) to create spontaneous-seeming riots in theaters.
In Their Own Words
Anything can happen, and it probably will!
Woo-woo!
We don't want a script, we want a riot!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Chic Johnson?
Chic Johnson was a famous American comedian and actor, best known as one half of the comedy team Olsen and Johnson. He was a pioneer of 'nut comedy' and meta-humor in vaudeville and early cinema.
What films is Chic Johnson best known for?
He is most famous for the 1941 film 'Hellzapoppin', as well as early talkies like 'Fifty Million Frenchmen' (1931) and 'Oh, Sailor, Behave!' (1930).
When was Chic Johnson born and when did they die?
He was born on March 5, 1891, in Chicago and passed away on February 26, 1962, in Las Vegas.
What awards did Chic Johnson win?
While he didn't win an Oscar, his show 'Hellzapoppin' won a Donaldson Award, and he was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
What was Chic Johnson's acting style?
His style was high-energy, anarchic, and physical. He was famous for breaking the fourth wall and engaging in rapid-fire, surreal slapstick alongside his partner Ole Olsen.
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Films
1 film
