Brad Johnson, an actor who played a supporting role in the hit Steven Spileberg drama Always as well as a recurring role on Melrose Place, died at the age of 62 in February due to complications from COVID-19.
Johnson died on February 18 in Fort Worth, Texas, his representative Linda McAlister told The Hollywood Reporter this week.
A reporter from Running Wild Films who reached out to Johnson in January to speak about a director he’d worked with said he’d contracted pneumonia in addition to COVID.
‘He was a true renaissance man,’ his family wrote in an obituary published in March. ‘He was not only interested in all life had to offer, but was gifted in it as well.’
‘Although he was taken too early, he lived life to the fullest. He was larger than life. Brad was loved by many and loved people back, a genuine friend, trusted colleague, and a dedicated husband and father, he will never be forgotten, and his legacy will go on.’
The onetime rodeo cowboy got his big break portraying the famous ‘Marlboro Man’ cigarette mascot in the mid-80s, which brought him to Spielberg’s attention. He was in People’s ‘Most Beautiful’ issue in 1990.
Brad Johnson, an actor who played a supporting role in the hit Steven Spileberg drama Always, has died at the age of 62 due to complications from COVID-19
Johnson died on February 18 in Fort Worth, Texas , his representative Linda McAlister told The Hollywood Reporter
Johnson, pictured in black and white on the set of his first big film, 1991’s Always directed by Steven Spielberg
Johnson also famously recurred as Dr. Dominick O’Malley in the hit Fox drama Melrose Place
Johnson’s family business posted this tribute to him on Facebook in March. Away from acting, he built a hunting lodge in New Mexico, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and also worked restoring old rifles and selling ranch real estate in North Texas
Johnson also famously recurred as Dr. Dominick O’Malley in the hit Fox drama Melrose Place.
Some of his other prominent roles include a recurring part on CSI, the Kirk Cameron-starring religious film Left Behind and the syndicated TV series Soldier of Fortune, Inc.
The most recent role cited on his IMDb page is a 2015 cowboy film called Nail 32.
Johnson was born on October 24, 1959 in Tucson, Arizona to a horse trader father.
In 1984, Johnson worked as a professional rodeo cowboy before becoming a pitchman for Marlboro cigarettes and Calvin Klein.
He quit rodeo after injuring his knee in 1986 and in that same year, his TV break came with a guest spot on the CBS megahit Dallas and worked in films like 1989’s Nam Angels before being cast in Spielberg’s hit Always.
Johnson has largely been inactive in films and TV in recent years but has stayed busy in other pursuits.
He built a hunting lodge in New Mexico, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and also worked restoring old rifles and selling ranch real estate in North Texas.
The business, Johnson Land & Home, will be taken over by two of his daughters.
Johnson, seen here with John Goodman on the set of Steven Spielberg’s 1989 hit Always
Johnson and his family at the premiere of the Kirk Cameron-starring religious film Left Behind
Brad Johnson with wife Laurie and son Shane as they attend the Grand Opening of the New Universal Studios Theme Park Ride – E.T. Adventure in 1991
Johnson (left) on the set of the 1991 John Milius film Flight of the Intruder with co-stars Danny Glover and Willem Defoe
Johnson was slated to return to motion pictures last year in a Western called Treasure Valley, but the film’s writer and star died just as production was getting started.
Johnson spoke to People about his interests outside acting in a 1990 interview.
‘If things work out in Hollywood, great,’ he said, ‘but if something happens that I don’t like, adios. It’s kind of like my dad says: You only go this way once, and if you do it right, then once is enough.’
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Laurie, and their children, Shane, Bellamy, Rachel, Eliana, Eden, Rebekah, Annabeth and William.