Rita Johnson's life began on August 13, 1913, in Worcester, Massachusetts, a city rich in cultural heritage. Her early years were marked by a strong affinity for the performing arts, which ultimately led her to enroll at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music. After honing her craft through summer stock productions, Johnson took her talents to the bright lights of Broadway in 1935. With her remarkable versatility, she effortlessly transitioned between diverse roles, captivating audiences and solidifying her status as a talented actress of her time. However, a devastating accident in 1948, in which a hair dryer fell on her head, resulted in severe brain damage. Despite undergoing brain surgery, Johnson's career was forever altered, and her screen appearances became increasingly scarce. Her life came to a close on October 31, 1965, at the Los Angeles County General Hospital, leaving behind a legacy of a remarkable 52 years.
Personal Details
BornAug 13, 1913 Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
Spouse
Edwin Hutzler
( Dec 31, 1969 to Dec 31, 1969 )Stanley Kahn
( Dec 31, 1969 to Dec 31, 1969 )
Biography
Career
{"id":32630,"title":"All Mine to Give","year":"1957","character":"Katie Tyler","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/all-mine-to-give","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5a6f84b0jd40.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5a6f84b0jd40.jpg"},"released":1}
1957

All Mine to Give as Katie Tyler
{"id":98654,"title":"Emergency Hospital","year":"1956","character":"Head Nurse Norma Mullen","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/emergency-hospital","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_98654.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_98654.jpg"},"released":1}
1956

Emergency Hospital as Head Nurse Norma Mullen
{"id":67469,"title":"Susan Slept Here","year":"1954","character":"Dr. Rawley","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/susan-slept-here","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67469.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67469.jpg"},"released":1}
1954

Susan Slept Here as Dr. Rawley
{"id":96586,"title":"The Second Face","year":"1950","character":"Claire Elwood","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-second-face","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_96586.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_96586.jpg"},"released":1}
1950

The Second Face as Claire Elwood
{"id":69504,"title":"An Innocent Affair","year":"1948","character":"Eve Lawrence","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/an-innocent-affair","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69504.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69504.jpg"},"released":1}
1948

An Innocent Affair as Eve Lawrence
{"id":69386,"title":"Family Honeymoon","year":"1948","character":"Minna Fenster","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/family-honeymoon","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69386.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69386.jpg"},"released":1}

Family Honeymoon as Minna Fenster
{"id":11979,"title":"The Big Clock","year":"1948","character":"Pauline York","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-big-clock","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_11979.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_11979.jpg"},"released":1}

The Big Clock as Pauline York
{"id":69268,"title":"Sleep, My Love","year":"1948","character":"Barby","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sleep-my-love","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69268.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69268.jpg"},"released":1}

Sleep, My Love as Barby
{"id":82876,"title":"They Won't Believe Me","year":"1947","character":"Greta Ballentine","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/they-wont-believe-me-1947","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82876.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82876.jpg"},"released":1}
1947

They Won't Believe Me as Greta Ballentine
{"id":186500,"title":"Michigan Kid","year":"1947","character":"Sue Dawson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/michigan-kid","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_186500.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_186500.jpg"},"released":1}

Michigan Kid as Sue Dawson
{"id":69705,"title":"The Perfect Marriage","year":"1947","character":"Mabel Manning","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-perfect-marriage-1946","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69705.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69705.jpg"},"released":1}

The Perfect Marriage as Mabel Manning
{"id":70311,"title":"The Naughty Nineties","year":"1945","character":"Bonita Farrow","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-naughty-nineties","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70311.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70311.jpg"},"released":1}
1945

The Naughty Nineties as Bonita Farrow
{"id":70389,"title":"The Affairs of Susan","year":"1945","character":"Mona Kent","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-affairs-of-susan","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70389.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70389.jpg"},"released":1}

The Affairs of Susan as Mona Kent
{"id":70361,"title":"Pardon My Past","year":"1945","character":"Mary Pemberton","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/pardon-my-past","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70361.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70361.jpg"},"released":1}

Pardon My Past as Mary Pemberton
{"id":14881,"title":"Thunderhead: Son of Flicka","year":"1945","character":"Nelle McLaughlin","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/thunderhead-son-of-flicka","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14881.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14881.jpg"},"released":1}

Thunderhead: Son of Flicka as Nelle McLaughlin
{"id":70815,"title":"My Friend Flicka","year":"1943","character":"Nell McLaughlin","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/my-friend-flicka","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70815.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70815.jpg"},"released":1}
1943

My Friend Flicka as Nell McLaughlin
{"id":71145,"title":"The Major and the Minor","year":"1942","character":"Pamela Hill","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-major-and-the-minor","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_71145.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_71145.jpg"},"released":1}
1942

The Major and the Minor as Pamela Hill
{"id":13306,"title":"Here Comes Mr. Jordan","year":"1941","character":"Julia Farnsworth","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/here-comes-mr-jordan","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_13306.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_13306.jpg"},"released":1}
1941

Here Comes Mr. Jordan as Julia Farnsworth
{"id":96733,"title":"Appointment for Love","year":"1941","character":"Nancy Benson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/appointment-for-love","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_96733.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_96733.jpg"},"released":1}

Appointment for Love as Nancy Benson
{"id":95176,"title":"Maisie Was a Lady","year":"1941","character":"Undetermined Secondary Role","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/maisie-was-a-lady","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_95176.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_95176.jpg"},"released":1}

Maisie Was a Lady as Undetermined Secondary Role
{"id":71962,"title":"Edison, the Man","year":"1940","character":"Mary Stilwell","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/edison-the-man","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_71962.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_71962.jpg"},"released":1}
1940

Edison, the Man as Mary Stilwell
{"id":83112,"title":"The Golden Fleecing","year":"1940","character":"Mary Blake","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-golden-fleecing","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_83112.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_83112.jpg"},"released":1}

The Golden Fleecing as Mary Blake
{"id":71807,"title":"Forty Little Mothers","year":"1940","character":"Marian Edwards","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/forty-little-mothers","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_71807.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_71807.jpg"},"released":1}

Forty Little Mothers as Marian Edwards
{"id":96742,"title":"Congo Maisie","year":"1940","character":"Kay McWade","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/congo-maisie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_96742.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_96742.jpg"},"released":1}

Congo Maisie as Kay McWade
{"id":144138,"title":"They All Come Out","year":"1939","character":"Kitty","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/they-all-come-out","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_144138.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_144138.jpg"},"released":1}
1939

They All Come Out as Kitty
{"id":95218,"title":"Within the Law","year":"1939","character":"Agnes Lynch","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/within-the-law-1939","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_95218.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_95218.jpg"},"released":1}

Within the Law as Agnes Lynch
{"id":72371,"title":"Stronger Than Desire","year":"1939","character":"Barbara Winter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/stronger-than-desire","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72371.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72371.jpg"},"released":1}

Stronger Than Desire as Barbara Winter
{"id":95236,"title":"Broadway Serenade","year":"1939","character":"Judith 'Judy' Tyrrell","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/broadway-serenade","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_95236.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_95236.jpg"},"released":1}

Broadway Serenade as Judith 'Judy' Tyrrell
{"id":72218,"title":"Nick Carter, Master Detective","year":"1939","character":"Lou Farnsby","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/nick-carter-master-detective","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72218.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72218.jpg"},"released":1}

Nick Carter, Master Detective as Lou Farnsby
{"id":72276,"title":"Honolulu","year":"1939","character":"Cecelia Grayson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/honolulu","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72276.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72276.jpg"},"released":1}

Honolulu as Cecelia Grayson
{"id":72300,"title":"6,000 Enemies","year":"1939","character":"Anne Barry","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/6000-enemies","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72300.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72300.jpg"},"released":1}

6,000 Enemies as Anne Barry
{"id":72766,"title":"The Girl Downstairs","year":"1938","character":"Rosalind Brown","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-girl-downstairs","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72766.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72766.jpg"},"released":1}
1938

The Girl Downstairs as Rosalind Brown
{"id":72776,"title":"Smashing the Rackets","year":"1938","character":"Leticia \"Letty\" Lane","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/smashing-the-rackets","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72776.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72776.jpg"},"released":1}

Smashing the Rackets as Leticia "Letty" Lane
{"id":96784,"title":"Letter of Introduction","year":"1938","character":"Honey","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/letter-of-introduction","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_96784.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_96784.jpg"},"released":1}

Letter of Introduction as Honey
{"id":72770,"title":"Rich Man, Poor Girl","year":"1938","character":"Sally Harrison","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/rich-man-poor-girl","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72770.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72770.jpg"},"released":1}

Rich Man, Poor Girl as Sally Harrison
{"id":72875,"title":"Man-Proof","year":"1938","character":"Florence (dialogue scenes deleted)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/man-proof","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72875.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72875.jpg"},"released":1}

Man-Proof as Florence (dialogue scenes deleted)
{"id":73152,"title":"London by Night","year":"1937","character":"Patricia Herrick","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/london-by-night","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73152.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73152.jpg"},"released":1}
1937

London by Night as Patricia Herrick
{"id":73286,"title":"My Dear Miss Aldrich","year":"1937","character":"Ellen Warfield","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/my-dear-miss-aldrich","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73286.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73286.jpg"},"released":1}

My Dear Miss Aldrich as Ellen Warfield