Actor Richard Johnson Dead at 87 – Starred in THE HAUNTING and Lucio Fulci’s ZOMBIE

R.I.P Dr. Markway. I recently watched British actor Richard Johnson as Bulldog Drummond in DEADLIER THAN THE MALE, a tough and stylish Bond pastiche from 1967 with an odd Avengers twist. His Drummond was suave and sophisticated and I wasn’t surprised to read that Johnson was (one of many to be) considered for 007. And I was thinking just last night when I was watching INSIDIOUS 3 that I wished I was instead watching a better-crafted, genuinely creepy horror story like THE HAUNTING (1963), which starred also Johnson. The actor had a varied career, starring in diverse  roles ranging from Caius Cassius opposite Charlton Heston in JULIUS CAESAR (1970) to Dr. Menard in Lucio Fulci’s unforgettable ZOMBIE in 1979. Richard Johnson died in London yesterday at age 87.

From The BBC News:

British actor Richard Johnson, whose career spanned film, theatre and TV, has died aged 87, his family has said. Johnson made his film debut in the 1950s and featured in numerous films, alongside stars such as Frank Sinatra, Laurence Olivier and Charlton Heston. A founder member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Johnson played several lead roles including Romeo and Mark Anthony in Julius Caesar. He also appeared in several TV dramas such as Lewis and Silent Witness. Johnson died after a short illness at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, London. He is survived by his wife Lynne, who he married in 2004, and his four children……

Read the rest of the article HERE

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33036755