Ben Johnson

Dennis Hunt Interviews Academy Award winner Ben Johnson. Topics include Benny Binion, Howard Hughes, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Tom Selick, Katherine Ross, Linda Blair, and John Travolta. Taped on January 24, 1982.

[@LillyKC23]

What a guy! Always brought something special to every film he was in. Never compromised his sense of honor or integrity. RIP Ben! They broke the mold with you. ♥️

[@timharvey5488]

A true cowboy, a great man,

[@chrysanthepaxinos2839]

Ben Johnson. What an amazing man. Integrity is what comes to mind when I think of him. Loved him in Junior Bonner, with Steve McQueen, Robert Preston and Ida Lupino. What a horseman! They had to show him in slow motion riding his horse into the arena. WOW!

[@Thelategreatjohnnybratton]

He was also in The Get Away with Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw

[@mikeg6666]

Amazing character actor and nothing but a class act!

[@andymckane7271]

I'm seventy-one. Grew up watching (and still watch to this day via a large DVD collection) John Wayne westerns. My two favorite actors who starred with Duke but never got anywhere near the billing JW got, are Ben Johnson & Harry Carey, Jr. Both of these men, and Duke, too, were fine actors. Above this, I know of no "dirt" on either Ben Johnson or Harry Carey, jr. These two men, in my opinion, are great role models for ALL of us in the United States.

[@OurLargeFamilyLife]

Ben Johnson was my great great grandpas nephew. My great aunt helped take care of his mom in Tulsa. My grandmas moms (my great grandmas) Maiden name was Johnson.

[@billknoderer8202]

Ben JOHNSON was a great American and never forgot where he came from. Fame and fortune took the hind note in his life because his moral compass was stout.

[@roytallericoGunner]

Ben Johnson ...The real McCoy. A legendary cowboy. I loved all your movies R. I P.

[@reserrvoirman]

i cant imagine westerns without Ben Johnson

[@sas6561]

Ben played a hugh part in one of the greatest westerns of all time ... SHANE!!!

[@kathyrigdon6863]

There was never a better leading actor to side John Wayne. They fit together so well when in a scene. God bless them both. They will always remain tops in my memory of Westerns.😄😄

[@Ronin4614]

There is only one Ben Johnson and hei is an Icon in my book. He was instantly brought western credibility to any film he was cast in. He worked so well with John Wayne and other western notables and his presence in the cast made the films so much better. Rio Grande was the film that Ben just did so well in, and no other actor could add what Ben Johnson brought to the film.

[@TheGallantgesture]

I love westerns and Ben Johnson made the greatest impression as a cowboy on me as a kid cause he was the real thing. I loved the way he talked. He was great in those Ford cavalry movies with Wayne. He and Harry Carey were the real things.

[@boballen4943]

+TheGallantgesture you said your comment so well. He's my favorite actor. A real natural. He a John Wayne are so missed. Thanks so much.

[@boballen4943]

+Dennis Hunt thanks so much! Excellent !!!

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Yes, they were the real deal.

[@koroba01]

There has been a number of actors who have passed that I would have loved to sit down and share a beer with (Heston, Lancaster, Holden, Roy Rogers among others) but the one I really wanted to most of all was Ben Johnson. Over the past 2 years I have come to really appreciate his early acting and the great example he was to all men...what a gentleman.

[@joep8787]

Ben Johnson was a true western man. A real cowboy. A pleasure to see him on a horse or just talk. I love his accent and way of phrasing.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

Joe P yes he was

[@dwightcurrie8316]

Joe P; A Champion Roper as well and sat a Horse like he was part of the animal. I'm a fair hand myself, but I've never seen a better Horseman. On or Off Screen

[@douglasolsen1208]

Dwight Currie Ben Johnson as Sgt Tyree in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is one of my favorites of his roles. His riding in that was an example of his horsemanship like you mention here. He was one with his horse. He had great lines in that film.

[@kaybutcher5719]

Love saying Amen to a rEAl cowboy! Miss Ben Johnson and the real men of the West!

[@Kohl423]

Ben Johnson a great actor and great horseman. Good in every movie he was in but I particularly loved him in She Wore A Yellow Ribbon. Absolutely brilliant.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

Kohl423 in his prime

[@eddie12454]

Yes he was great as Tyree in S W A Y R but my favourite performance is in the superb One Eyed Jacks playing a bank robber Bob Amery. Ben could play good and bad guys with ease. Great man.

[@jamesaritchie1]

Not only a great actor, but a rare, good, moral man with the strength to back his convictions, and who didn't back away from those convictions, even when the role he was playing called for it.

[@georgiamule]

A great character who brought realism to every movie he was in. RIP, thanks for the memories.

[@RealDapperDude]

Just about single-handedly created Thousand Oaks, California. That aside, he always behaved like a gentleman in public. His kind will not pass this way again.

[@simba30]

I just love Ben a real American Classic. Ben the Lion one of great roles and Wagon Master. An American treasure

[@patriotrising6214]

Fine American gentleman , an example of a real person and sincere man . A patriot and true friend to America .he is missed !

[@kathyrigdon7428]

I really liked Ben Johnson in all the John Wayne movies. He was a great leading actor.

[@dennishunt4065]

Thank you, Kathy. I appreciate your comment.

[@toodie535]

would've loved to hear more of his own stories, but he seemed more comfortable praising others that he'd worked with and for. Gracious man.

[@texaswader]

I met Mr. Johnson at a gun show in Houston at the old Astro Hall. That he took the time to visit with me I thought was pretty special. We talked for a good 10 minutes about Colt single action revolvers, Winchester rifles then shook hands and parted. Ten minutes later I palm slapped having forgotten to ask him for an autograph but then maybe that was a good thing. I'm sure people like him were asked that all the time. Great interview of a wonderful person.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

texaswader wow

[@dlepanto9002]

texaswader Ben Johnson was a great actor a great man like John Wayne one of them best I enjoy all of his movies, and would not miss any other f them when they show th m loved him.

[@biltom]

this man Ben Johnson, was a great actor.......Him, Lee Van Cleef, Jack Elam, and Strother Martin were my favorite support actors .....total respect for them.

[@mikec.9130]

Ben's father was one of the greatest cowboys in Oklahoma... but to further that -- maybe who ever lived. Ben couldve probably been in the top 10% of most talented cowboys ---- just by being born. His upbringing was an absolute perfect environment for a cowboy. What is unique about Ben is this.... he was also a born actor. Very rare....

[@ronhugginskw]

A true man of Honor and character.

[@kaycox5555]

Ben Johnson was the real deal, a gentleman, a hero, and a man of honor.....RIP.

[@dennishunt4065]

yes, your words are very true.

[@chiripero1940]

The key word in your description of Ben Johnson the man is "honor." I met him in-person one time and wow ! Honor permeated my body and heart so deeply. Thank you Ben, for being you !

[@bobbyormston9674]

A man truly worthy of hero worship. When in doubt, or a tight situation, you only need to ask yourself two questions. What would Ben Johnson do; &, would my Mama be proud of me?

[@v8maid]

Ben was a stunt rider before he became an actor, another great man !

[@ronniebishop2496]

Larry McMurtry wrote The Last Picture Show. And I was so proud of Ben Johnson because he and I are from Oklahoma. I was in college and in the musical Oklahoma. Now pot is legal lol, but I understand his meaning.

[@Jamesd1861]

Great actor, Gentlemen for sure… Man of Character 👍👍

[@horsefeatherkate]

I always thought hitting the trail on horseback with "Uncle Benny" would have been the highlight of my life. The stories alone would have been a treat!

[@TConer-ft7no]

Great interview Dennis. Ben was one of Hollywoods greats and deserves legendary status.

[@talbotsplace7316]

"You may not know it, but you're fixin' to get tried!" From "Major Dundee," one of my favorite movies. He was wonderful is so many movies...

[@Airsoftcleaner]

Remember, He didn't just portray a Cowboy he also portrayed FBI Special Agent Mel Pervis in Dillinger

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

Airsoftcleaner oh

[@orchardist6559]

Facially BJ never seem to change, wonderful actor.

[@samhunt9308]

Ben Johnson was a fine example of a man as well as many others and the old westerns of their day, they taught values that we grew up with.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

sam hunt I'm not a cowboy, but growing up in the 60's I learned my values in those movies.still enjoy them, especially ben johnson and harry carey. of course, also the john Wayne's and clint are at the top of the list, but these guys were the real deal!

[@PamelaZilly]

One of the BEST Character actors of all time....then to star in The Last Picture Show, the Star, finally NOT a character! Loved this man!

[@russellthomas9500]

Pamela Zilly

[@kathyrigdon6863]

You are most welcome. 😍

[@marlenalinne7958]

While "The Last Picture Show" wasn't a western, it was one of his best.

[@virginiablady7141]

I absolutely love this man. He made the western movies so enjoyable! I wish I could have met him, it would have been the highlight of my life! Virginia

[@GK1976A]

Great interview. Ben Johnson was a decent honest guy.

[@heartfire451]

The last film I remember seeing him in was My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys. Great little film. I like how he acted like a real dad and knocked his Glenn Scott son back into shape and coached him. To those of us whose dads were not the best people, watching real men like him gave us some direction.

[@michele2855]

What a rare gentleman! Goodness I could be tempted to marry again if I could meet such a man as this. My kind of dude for real. Guess the mold has been broken!

[@DrewSohl]

A great guy,an amazing horseman,and a real cowboy.Should have had more attention thrown his way.

[@wahshashe1]

I grew up with Ben and his family in the Osage Hills of Oklahoma. All the people who knew him called him "Son" as the presence of his dad, Ben, a great man in his own time. Son was pretty much as you described him, a man of humility, kindness, morally correct and hard working. Anyone who had any interaction with him will attest that he was the kind of Guy who you would want to be your friend. I still return o Osage County quite often to spend time with my family and Son's family. It is a long way from Montana, but the friendships are still very close. He and his wife Carol were two of the best.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

Bob Erwin oh, what a wonderful memory. maybe he just showed his true colors. that's why we love him

[@oldpirate007]

I always enjoyed watching him work with Dobe Carey, they were both great. I love the movie Wagon Master.

[@tommypetersen2540]

Watch Wagonmaster to see not only Ben's great performance but his riding is just phenomenal.

[@albertgardner1776]

What a man, if only we had people like him today.

[@chuckwagon5518]

Another quality man young kids could look up to back then. Just another great American like John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr.

[@lckgilmo43]

Mr. Ben Johnson was very good in Red Dawn. Wise, caring, trustworthy and tough.

[@robertrockwell7581]

Ben Johnson was a great actor a true American and Cowboy through and through. R.I.P. sir.

[@chiripero1940]

I had the pleasure of meeting Ben Johnson in Wichita Falls, TX when they were filming "The Last Picture Show" and yes, he was quite a gentleman ! I was passing through and stopped there a couple of days to visit friends that I knew when I was an Instructor in Communications School at nearby Sheppard Air Force Base. I was an enlisted man in the Air Force at the time and the cast & crew of that movie treated me like royalty. They said that they make more money than they do, so they took good care of me that night in the bar at the hotel they were staying at. Ben is gone now, but I wish I could find Pat Fennell who was a cameraman on "The Last Picture Show" and he sat to my left, with Ben Johnson sitting on my right side. Both were wonderful people !

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

ben johnson and harry carey jr. loved that team from an early age and still will watch anything with either one in it. ben has a wonderful story and thank you for airing this!

[@TheGallantgesture]

In the "Wild Bunch" when he and Warren Oates, who played his brother got in an argument with William Holden's character and Ben told his brother, "Start the ball rolling Tector," was unforgetable to me as was his roll with Brando in 'One Eyed Jacks" as a low down outlaw to the max. He took the bullets out of Brando's Mexican partner's gun and when the Mexican pulled it on Ben and his buddy to his surprise it was empty and Ben said, "Ya had a good life greaser," and pulled the trigger, that was cold blooded.

[@neilsanders4097]

Yep every role he played he was a believable character especially the Wild Bunch and Shane

[@markweber1807]

Met him many many years ago. He was truly a kind, gracious and caring individual besides a Western star.

[@dalemoreland5106]

Ben Johnson, a true Cowboy! Sure miss him and they don't make Western movies like they did back in Ben Johnson's days!

[@bennyburford3570]

Thank you Dennis Hunt for this treasure, those eyes, that voice, Ben Johnson...I truly adore and admire him, such a quality man.

[@thunderstruck5484]

So many great roles one of my favorites is in Red Dawn his part stands out and you can tell Patrick Swayze really looked up to him

[@anthonyemanuel1114]

A true cowboy,legend and a fine actor.a great man.RIP MR.JOHNSON.

[@simoncasson3327]

Amazing man. Full of grace. Top of the line.

[@c.s.pennington5600]

Ben Johnson is the Cowboy (person) that we all to LOVE.............GO WIth

[@turbo5488]

Between ben johnson and john wayne were i think are true cowboys they met what they say and they are American hero's

[@jeffsmith2022]

Really enjoyed all the movies he was in,esp. the Wild Bunch...a wonderful actor...

[@garybright7611]

I remembered Ben in SHANE, A GOOD PART.

[@alswann2702]

Got to meet him years ago when I drove for him on Angels In The Outfield. He told how he taught Howard Hughes to ride. Great actor and a real cowboy.

[@davidhayes2744]

I got to meet Ben Johnson twice in Guthrie, OK back in 1991 and 1992. What a guy! He was one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. I never got to meet John Wayne but seeing Ben Johnson was just as good. I finally got to meet Patrick Wayne (John's son) a couple of years ago and that was really great too. Very nice guy.

[@nickdonvito4591]

He was one of my absolute favorites!!!

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

Nick Donvito and harry carry jr!

[@fredflintstone2927]

I always liked Ben Johnson. I am glad he won the academy award; he was great in so many movies... enjoyed him and Strother Martin in The Wild Bunch. One of the best westerns ever made with such a great cast.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

Fred Flintstone fred flinstone? ok, I agree!

[@eddie12454]

Top man. Love his performances and liked to have met him.

[@Arbeedubya]

To me, one of Johnson's finest roles was that of Chris Calloway, the cowboy who discovers he has a conscience, in Shane.

[@jamesroyal1739]

Very good interview, thank you, he shows hope ,so should we

[@howardfortyfive9676]

+Alamo YTC Germany Thanks man that was another great film. I enjoy *"She wore a yellow Ribbon"* from time to time. Ben Johnson is one of my all time favorite actors. Saw him in the original Red Dawn. He and the man who played Jed's dad is another fine actor. Festus from Gunsmoke too.

[@RedIce989]

What a great actor and human being.Love him in all his flimsy...He is definitely missed

[@williba24]

How can you do an interview without clips from his films? His roman style of riding in "She wore a yellow ribbon" should have been shown

[@garyguiou4575]

One of my favorite movies of all time , "the getaway' With steve McQueen , Ali McGraw , and the great Been Johnson who played the heavy "bad Guy" also the "Wild Bunch" with a great cast of stars

[@slicked25]

Ben nailed The Last Picture Show. If you haven't seen it by now watch it it's a classic.

[@missyortega8304]

Absolutely! Melinda Maybruck Ortega St Augustine, Florida

[@tommytruth7595]

Yep. He won an Oscar for that one. And he deserved it.

[@bojack7201]

He is one of the best western movie stars

[@MamaJacqueroo]

I love Ben Johnson in the old westerns, especially when he acted with John Wayne.

[@michaelnivens6267]

Bite The Bullet

[@jeffsweazea4809]

Chisum with John Wayne

[@sjoldtimer]

Loved that guy. One of the authentic, down to earth "real men"...unlike the pseudo he men of these days.

[@dennishunt4065]

Mr. Johnson is a real classic guy. He will always be remembered as one of the all time greats.

[@davidgibbs7232]

Always a noble presence in a movie.Great actor.

[@daveharmon3765]

1984., Red Dawn... The best character lines that I remember today

[@BrettVaughnB100]

He really was the real deal cowboy

[@ronaldwilson1511]

Ben Johnson is someone you can look up too without any regrets!!

[@savannahdockins6361]

Love all the movies he is in.

[@1339LARS]

Love Ben !!

[@OdeeOz]

Mr. Hunt, you and Rob Word do us all a great service, with these interviews, and you help revive a lot of great memories of classic films, from better days in Entertainment. I cannot thank you enough, for sharing with us all. 👍👍 & 10⭐ to your productions.

[@diehardhushfan]

Another one of nature's true gentlemen

[@joanneapperson992]

Diehardhushfan I

[@peace-yv4qd]

I feel lucky to have grown up watching the men he talked about. They were kind of my surrogate father figures. The movies they make today are trash as far as I'm concerned. All of what Ben says about Hollywood I totally agree with.

[@misfitsailor]

He was one of the last decent men in Hollywood.

[@frankbolger3969]

Search around on youtube for the extended interview with Ben Johnson and Harry Carey Jr. It's just about the most fun you could ever hope to have. Two great guys.

[@billjones424]

He was a real cowboy not just a hollywood cowboy

[@AlamoYTCGermany]

Best U.S.Cavalry Sergeant ever. Remember most his great Performance as Sgt. Tyree in Ford's "She wore a yellow Ribbon".

[@dennishunt4065]

Many thanks for your comment.

[@magovenor]

Dude- he was my favorite "real" cowboy period!

[@nstix2009xitsn]

Captain Tyree.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

Alamo YTC Germany wasn't it? just the best!

[@freddyethridge2635]

I liked Ben Johnson a TRUE COWBOY.

[@wthjrtx1]

Gods Speed To Mr. Ben Johnson. If he is not a Cowboy. He'll do till one gets here.

[@OdeeOz]

*One of his most memorable early roles to me, was in Mighty Joe Young, where he was a cowboy then too, who saved Joe the Giant Ape, and New York City to boot. That set him in my mind, as an actor to follow, and watch as long as he was in a film. Such a natural actor, who was believable in all his roles as a real person, regardless of the movie theme. 👍👍 10⭐ and countless* 🤗🤠

[@noeloneill477]

Ben Johnson was probably one of the best horsemen in the business. Check him out in Shane and One Eyed Jacks! Always great to watch!

[@frankdodgee]

I loved hearing Mr. Johnson talk about the pot heads etc. Drugs have intensified 10 fold since this interview and have really ruined a lot more than movies!

[@darellsunderlin4670]

One of the great ones , one of the real ones . Will miss him in cinema's.

[@mickmack8999]

One of my favourites, brilliant western actor

[@Paul-lm5gv]

Ben Johnson (June 13, 1918 - April 8, 1996), 6'2" was one of the great western supporting actors of all time. He was also a gentleman and was married to the same woman for over 50 years. I wish he had asked him what his favorite movie was or his favorite western character.

[@tommypetersen2540]

A class act all around. A truly underated film is Wagon Master. Not only a great film by John Ford, but also a great showcase for Ben and his good friend Harry Carey Jr. While Harry is a great horseman in his own right, Ben's horsemanship in Wagon Master is just unreal. He was Jackie Chan before Jackie was even born! Oh yeah, pretty solid actor too.

[@eddie12454]

+Tommy Petersen Wagon Master was the first film I saw Ben in many years ago. I thought to myself - this guy seems such a natural as a cowboy, I wonder if he's one in real life and of course he was. I've been a fan ever since. Wagon Master of course is sheer Ford poetry. Beautiful western. I was so pleased he got his Oscar for The Last Picture Show. 'It couldn't have gone to a nicer feller'

[@tommypetersen2540]

+Edmund Fendel ha! nice one, my all time favorite Oscar speech. Loved him in Bite the Bullet as well.

[@eddie12454]

+Tommy Petersen Yeah good film. I thought he was great in One Eyed Jacks and the gangster film Dillinger. He and Warren Oates were terrific in Dillinger. He did quite a few films with Warren.

[@tommypetersen2540]

+Edmund Fendel you're right and with Sam Peckinpah as well. I loved him in "Junior Bonner" as a well. Anytime Ben got on a horse it was magic as we were witnessing a real cowboy in action. There is a scene in Wagon Master where he is riding "hell bent" and then reached around the horses BECK to pick up the reins, all while going full speed! He also did the "roman riding" ( standing on the backs of two horses!) in Rio Grande. Great horseman and really underated actor as well.

[@MamaJacqueroo]

I don't think I ever saw Wagon Master. I'll have to look it up. Thanks for sharing. Ben Johnson is one of my favorite western stars, and I love old westerns.

[@ronhugginskw]

God bless you Ben