Tore Johansson (19 October 1903 – 12 May 1971), better known by the stage name Tor Johnson, was a Swedish professional wrestler (billed as The Super Swedish Angel) and actor.

Biography

Johnson was born in Sweden, the son of Karl J. Johansson and Lovisa Petersson. He weighed 181 kilograms (400 pounds) at his heaviest. He had a full head of blond hair, but he shaved it to maintain an imposing, villainous appearance in wrestling and acting appearances. He began getting bit parts in movies upon his move to California - usually as the strongman or weightlifter - as early as 1934. His film career ended in the early 1960s after appearing in a string of poorly-rated movies. However, he continued to make appearances on television and made a number of commercials.



During his career as an actor, Johnson befriended director Edward D. Wood, Jr., who directed him in a number of films, most notably Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space, both which co-starred Bela Lugosi. He was very friendly to work with on movie sets, and actress Valda Hansen, who worked with Johnson in 1959's Night of the Ghouls (also directed by Wood), described him as "like a big sugar bun." During this period, Tor also appeared as a guest contestant on the quiz show You Bet Your Life, during which he showed the show's host Groucho Marx, his scariest face. Groucho ran off the stage in mock terror, then returned and, after teasing Johnson again, pleaded, "Don't make that face again!"

In 1971, Johnson died at the San Fernando Valley Hospital in San Fernando, California, from heart failure. He was buried at the Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall, California.