Susan Johnson (American musical theatre actress)
Encyclopedia
Susan Johnson also known as Susan Johnson-Kehn, was an American
actress and singer. She appeared primarily in musical theatre, but also appeared in films and television.
in Brigadoon
(1950; revival), Buttrio Square (1952), The Most Happy Fella
(1956–57), Oh Captain! (1958), Whoop-Up
(1958–59), and Donnybrook!
(1961). She won the 1956 Theatre World Award
for her role in The Most Happy Fella
and was nominated for a Tony Award
in 1958 for her role in Oh Captain!. She also appeared in the films Sister Act
(1992) and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
(1993).
, she attended Ohio State University. Her first marriage to actor Robert Pastene ended in divorce. She was married to her second husband, Lawrence Brown, who left her after a horrible motorcycle accident where Susan sustained life-threatening injuries to her brain and inner ear. Her third marriage to professional baseball player Chet Kehn
lasted from 1965 until his death in 1984.
in 2003 in Sacramento, California
, aged 75, survived by her daughter Corianne, from her third marriage.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress and singer. She appeared primarily in musical theatre, but also appeared in films and television.
Stage and film roles
Johnson appeared on BroadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in Brigadoon
Brigadoon
Brigadoon is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Songs from the musical, such as "Almost Like Being in Love" have become standards....
(1950; revival), Buttrio Square (1952), The Most Happy Fella
The Most Happy Fella
The Most Happy Fella is a 1956 musical with a book, music, and lyrics by Frank Loesser. The story, about a romance between an older man and younger woman, is based on the play They Knew What They Wanted by Sidney Howard...
(1956–57), Oh Captain! (1958), Whoop-Up
Whoop-Up
Whoop-Up is a musical with a music by Mark Charlap, lyrics by Norman Gimbel, and book by Cy Feuer and Ernest Martin, based on “Stay Away, Joe” by Dan Cushman...
(1958–59), and Donnybrook!
Donnybrook!
Donnybrook! is a musical from 1961, with music and lyrics by Johnny Burke and book by Robert E. McEnroe. It is based on the film The Quiet Man. It had 66 performances at Broadway's 46th Street Theatre, opening on May 18, 1961 and closing on July 15, 1961. Leading players Art Lund and Joan Fagan...
(1961). She won the 1956 Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
for her role in The Most Happy Fella
The Most Happy Fella
The Most Happy Fella is a 1956 musical with a book, music, and lyrics by Frank Loesser. The story, about a romance between an older man and younger woman, is based on the play They Knew What They Wanted by Sidney Howard...
and was nominated for a Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
in 1958 for her role in Oh Captain!. She also appeared in the films Sister Act
Sister Act
Sister Act is a 1992 American comedy film released by Touchstone Pictures. Directed by Emile Ardolino, it features musical arrangements by Marc Shaiman and stars Whoopi Goldberg as a Reno lounge singer who has been put under protective custody in a San Francisco convent and has to pretend to be a...
(1992) and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit is a 1993 comedy film starring Whoopi Goldberg. Directed by Bill Duke, and released by Touchstone Pictures, it is the sequel to the successful 1992 film Sister Act...
(1993).
Personal life
Born as Marilyn Jeanne Johnson in Columbus, OhioColumbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, she attended Ohio State University. Her first marriage to actor Robert Pastene ended in divorce. She was married to her second husband, Lawrence Brown, who left her after a horrible motorcycle accident where Susan sustained life-threatening injuries to her brain and inner ear. Her third marriage to professional baseball player Chet Kehn
Chet Kehn
Chester Lawrence Kehn was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. At 20 years of age, he was the fourth-youngest player to appear in a National League game that season....
lasted from 1965 until his death in 1984.
Death
Susan Johnson-Kehn died of emphysemaEmphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
in 2003 in Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, aged 75, survived by her daughter Corianne, from her third marriage.