Bess Johnson

Bess Johnson ( circa 1902 - January 3, 1975)[1] was an American actress best known for her work on old-time radio. During her time on the air, "she was the highest paid daytime radio artist."[2]

Early years

Johnson was born in Keyser, West Virginia,[3] the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman J. Johnson.[4] She grew up in Elkins, West Virginia, with theatrical family roots: her father owned two theaters in addition to publishing a newspaper and being a state sentator, while her mother was actress Ann Barnes.[5]

Johnson graduated from Davis & Elkins College. Her plans for a career as a singer ended when she lost her voice and learned after a tonsillectomy that she would not be able to sing again. Turning to drama as an alternative, she studied at Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York.[6] Johnson's income from jobs as an artists' model and a restaurant worker paid her way as a student at the AADA.[7]

Career

Beginning in 1923, Johnson worked in stock theater with the Goodman Players in Chicago for five years.[8] After appearing on KDKA in Pittsburgh as an amateur,[3] she first appeared professionally on radio in Chicago when she filled in for another actress at the last minute on WMAQ.[8] Johnson was "radio's voice of Lady Esther" for six years.[9]

Beginning in 1932, Johnson worked for the Stack-Goble agency in Chicago as assistant director for radio before being promoted to head the department.[8] Her roles in radio programs included those shown in the table below.

ProgramCharacter
Hilltop HouseBess Johnson[10]
Life BeginsMartha Webster[11]
The Story of Bess JohnsonBess Johnson[11]:317
The Story of Mary MarlinFrances Matthews[11]:318
Today's ChildrenFran[3]

For six months Johnson hosted The Bess Johnson Club,[2] a DuMont Television Network program that focused on fashion.[12] She spent her summers performing in repertory theater in Ogunquit, Maine, and during winters she participated in a theatrical group that presented plays for hospitalized veterans.[2]

Personal life

Johnson was married to Dr. Solomon P. Perry,[5] who had been her childhood sweetheart. They had a daughter, Jane,[13] and divorced on November 21, 1936.[14] On June 10, 1941, Johnson married Olympic swimmer Peter Fick In Warrenton, Virginia.[4]

Death

On January 3, 1975, Johnson died at age 73.[1]

References
  1. Cox, Jim (2015). "Hilltop House". The Great Radio Soap Operas. McFarland. p. 75. ISBN 9781476604145. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  2. "Bess Johnson Free Lances". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. February 21, 1951. p. 46. Retrieved December 15, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Bess Johnson Matron of Hilltop House". The Des Moines Register. Iowa, Des Moines. May 24, 1940. p. 21. Retrieved December 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "KMJ Schedules New Programs, Old Favorites". The Fresno Bee The Republican. California, Fresno. August 17, 1941. p. 14. Retrieved December 15, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Big Sister at 'Hilltop House'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. September 29, 1940. p. Everybody's Weekly - P 5. Retrieved December 15, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Stokes, Maureen (March 12, 1939). "Meet Miss Johnson". Detroit Free Press. Michigan, Detroit. p. 75. Retrieved December 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Kerr, Adelaide (February 27, 1942). "Busy Besses Clean up on Soap Operas". Freeport Journal-Standard. Illinois, Freeport. Wide World Features. p. 7. Retrieved December 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Morgan, F. Langdon (November 7, 1936). "Chi Air Notes" (PDF). Billboard. p. 10. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  9. "Radio Provides Long Careers". The Fresno Bee The Republican. California, Fresno. March 29, 1942. p. 39. Retrieved December 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "'The Story of Bess Johnson Replaces 'Hilltop House', WHP". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. March 29, 1941. p. 25. Retrieved December 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4.
  12. Cassidy, Marsha F. (2009). What Women Watched: Daytime Television in the 1950s. University of Texas Press. ISBN 9780292782723. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  13. Ashley, Judy (May 1940). "Don't Be a 'Pal' to Your Daughter" (PDF). Radio and Television Mirror. 14 (1): 29, 89. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  14. "Divorces" (PDF). Billboard. December 5, 1936. p. 34. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
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