Johnny was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, the middle child of three siblings. He began performing at a small performing arts school at the age of 5, making his debut as a Chanukah candle.
He pursued a career in acting, appearing in numerous TV and film projects, showcasing his versatility in both drama and comedy. Johnny was a true Renaissance Man, exceling in various artistic fields, including writing, poetry, and painting.
He was also a philanthropist, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to worthy causes and actively participating in several charitable organizations. Johnny was a vocal advocate against drug abuse, using his celebrity status to speak to educators and law enforcement officials about the dangers of street and psychiatric drug abuse.
Throughout his life, Johnny created lasting friendships wherever he went, traveling to Europe, Asia, and South America. He was known for his kindness, humility, and generosity, often sleeping in grass huts in Southeast Asia and being the first white man allowed passage to a sacred lake in Laos.
One of Johnny's greatest passions was mentoring other artists, and many successful performers credited their success to his guidance and support. His recent work includes appearances in TV shows such as Sons of Anarchy and films like Felon, The Runaways, 186 Dollars to Freedom, and Lovely Molly.
Tragically, Johnny's life took a devastating turn in 2011 when he suffered head injuries from a motorcycle accident. He was arrested multiple times, including for allegedly trespassing at a neighbor's home, and was treated for psychosis and chemical dependency despite never testing positive for drugs.
Despite his struggles, Johnny showed signs of improvement in the summer of 2012, writing in his journal about feeling more whole and complete. He began planning a return to acting, possibly through the stage, and spoke of bringing Shakespeare to inner-city kids.
However, Johnny's freedom was short-lived, as he tragically accepted a DA's offer to serve "just a couple more days in jail" in exchange for his release. The "couple days" turned into nearly two months, during which he suffered additional abuse and a violent downturn in spirits and health.
Sadly, Johnny passed away on September 26, 2012, in circumstances that are still shrouded in mystery.
