Johnson was featured extensively in the early work of cartoonist Drew Friedman, where Johnson was depicted as 'Tor', a slow-witted, white-eyed lummox based on Johnson's persona in Ed Wood's films. Johnson was portrayed by wrestler George 'The Animal' Steele in Tim Burton's film Ed Wood (1994). He was buried at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, in Santa Clarita, California. Johnson died of heart failure in San Fernando, California, at the age of 68. Johnson in The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961) The name was derived from wrestler Maurice Tillet, known as the French Angel.ĭuring his career as an actor, Johnson befriended director Ed Wood, who directed him in a number of films, including Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space writing for Turner Classic Movies, film critic Donald Liebenson described Johnson's performance in Plan 9 as 'gonzo.' Johnson was very friendly to work with actress Valda Hansen, who worked with Johnson in 1959's Night of the Ghouls, described him as 'like a big sugar bun.' During this period, Johnson 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.' Marx ran off the stage in mock terror, then returned and pleaded: 'Don't make that face again!' Tor Johnson used the ring name Super Swedish Angel to distinguish himself from Nils Phillip Olafsson who used the ring name Swedish Angel. However, he continued to make appearances on television and made a number of commercials. His film career ended in the early 1960s, after he appeared in a string of poorly-rated films. He began getting bit parts in films upon moving to California, usually as the strongman or weightlifter, as early as 1934. He had a full head of blonde hair, but shaved it to maintain an imposing and villainous appearance in his wrestling and acting work. Johnson stood 6'3' and weighed 440 pounds (200 kg) at his heaviest.

His death certificate and grave list 1903 as the year of his birth, contradicting published genealogy records. Johnson was born on 19 October 1902 in Brännkyrka, Stockholms län, Sweden, the son of Karl Johan Johansson and Lovisa Kristina Pettersson.

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