Ben Johnson: Movies, Awards & Box Office
- films
- 87
- as director
- 1
- on screen
- 1943–2023
- box office
- $175M
- award wins
- 3
- average score
- 58
- Born
- June 13, 1918
- Birthplace
- Foraker, Oklahoma, United States
- Full name
- Benjamin Johnson Jr.
- Citizenship
- American
- Occupations
- Actor
- Years active
- 1940-1996
- Spouses
- Carol Elaine Jones
- Children
- 1
The Best Ben Johnson Movies
The films of Ben Johnson that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: Angels in the Outfield (1994) leads with $50.2M. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.
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Worldwide box office: $50.2M Angels in the Outfield 1994 · Sport -
Worldwide box office: $38.4M Red Dawn 1984 · Action -
Worldwide box office: $29.1M The Last Picture Show 1971 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $16.3M The Hunter 1980 · Action -
Worldwide box office: $12.8M The Evening Star 1996 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $11M Hang 'Em High 1968 · Western
Ben Johnson's Career in Numbers
Ben Johnson's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Ben Johnson works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from The Outlaw (1943) to Curse of the Weredeer (2023), and the 1970s were the busiest decade.
Ben Johnson Movies by Decade
- 1940s 6
- 1950s 8
- 1960s 9
- 1970s 21
- 1980s 15
- 1990s 10
- 2000s 2
- 2010s 4
- 2020s 5
The 1970s were Ben Johnson's busiest decade, with 21 films.
Ben Johnson Movies by Genre
- Western 20
- Drama 15
- Action 13
- Comedy 6
- Tv movie 5
- Thriller 4
- Horror 4
- Romance 3
- Adventure 3
- Crime 2
Western is the genre Ben Johnson has worked in most, with 20 films, ahead of drama (15).
Ben Johnson Career Milestones
- First film
- The Outlaw 1943
- Biggest box office hit
- Angels in the Outfield $50.2M worldwide
- Best-rated film
- I Need You Dead! Movie Echo Score 88
- Newest film
- Curse of the Weredeer 2023
Ben Johnson Filmography: Every Movie
Every film Ben Johnson is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. 1 as director and 79 as actor. Rated films average a score of 58. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Movies Directed by Ben Johnson
1Ben Johnson Movies as an Actor
79- 2023
Sirona as Jason · Thriller - 2021
So Vam as Scared Teen #2 · Horror - 2020
All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 - 2020
I Need You Dead! as Doorman · Comedy Worldwide box office: $790 Movie Echo Score: 88 - 2019
Jurassic Thunder Sci-Fi Movie Echo Score: 28 - 2018
Death to Metal as Metal Minion #2 · Comedy - 2017
Black Friday as Jesse · Action - 2017
The Jurassic Dead as Gunnar · Horror - 2009
Homeless for the Holidays as Eddie · Drama - 2004
Zero Hour: Massacre at Columbine High as Eric Harris · Documentary - 1999
A Twist of Faith as Young Alex Hunt · Crime - 1999
The Darklings as Josh Bradshaw · Drama - 1996
The Evening Star as Arthur Cotton · Drama Worldwide box office: $12.8M - 1996
Ruby Jean and Joe as Big Man · Comedy - 1995
Bonanza: Under Attack as Bronc Evans · Tv movie - 1994
Angels in the Outfield Sport Worldwide box office: $50.2M - 1993
Bonanza: The Return as Bronc Evans · Tv movie - 1992
Radio Flyer as Geronimo Bill · Drama Worldwide box office: $4.65M - 1991
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys as Jesse Dalton · Western Worldwide box office: $3.6M - 1991
The Chase as Laurienti · Crime - 1989
Back to Back as Eli Hix · Action - 1988
Cherry 2000 Action - 1988
Stranger on My Land as Vern Whitman · Tv movie - 1986
Let’s Get Harry as Mr. Burck Sr. · Action - 1985
Wild Horses as Bill Ward · Tv movie - 1984
Red Dawn Action Worldwide box office: $38.4M - 1984
Champions as Burly Cocks · Romance Worldwide box office: $200K - 1982
The Shadow Riders as Uncle 'Black Jack' Traven · Tv movie - 1982
Tex Drama Worldwide box office: $7.4M - 1982
The Impossible Kid as Chief · Comedy - 1981
Soggy Bottom, U.S.A. as Isum Gorch · Comedy - 1981
Ruckus as Sam Bellows · Action - 1980
Terror Train Mystery - 1980
The Hunter Action Worldwide box office: $16.3M - 1980
Wild Times as Doc Bogardus · Western - 1979
The Sacketts as Cap Rountree · Western - 1978
The Swarm Thriller - 1977
Grayeagle as John Colter · Action - 1977
The Greatest as Hollis · Drama - 1976
The Town That Dreaded Sundown Drama - 1976
The Savage Bees as Sheriff Donald McKew · Horror - 1975
Hustle Drama Worldwide box office: $466K - 1975
Breakheart Pass as Deputy U.S. Marshal Nathan Pearce · Thriller - 1975
Bite the Bullet as Mister · Adventure - 1974
Locusts as Amos Fletcher · Horror - 1973
Blood Sport as Dwayne Birdsong · Drama - 1973
Runaway! as Holly Gibson · Thriller - 1973
Dillinger as Melvin Purvis · Drama - 1973
The Red Pony as Jess Taylor · Drama - 1973
The Train Robbers Action - 1973
Kid Blue as Sheriff 'Mean John' Simpson · Western - 1972
The Getaway Action Worldwide box office: $9.59K - 1972
Junior Bonner as Buck Roan · Western - 1972
Corky as Boland · Action - 1971
The Last Picture Show Drama Worldwide box office: $29.1M - 1970
Chisum as James Pepper · Western - 1969
The Wild Bunch Action Worldwide box office: $641K - 1968
Hang 'Em High Western Worldwide box office: $11M - 1967
Will Penny as Alex · Romance - 1966
Noon Wine as Sheriff Barbee · Western - 1966
The Rare Breed as Jeff Harter · Western - 1965
Major Dundee as Sergeant Chillum · Western Worldwide box office: $20.8K - 1964
Cheyenne Autumn as Trooper Plumtree (uncredited) · Western Worldwide box office: $11K - 1961
One-Eyed Jacks as Bob Amory · Western Worldwide box office: $580 - 1960
Ten Who Dared as George Bradley · Adventure - 1957
War Drums as Luke Fargo · Western - 1956
Rebel in Town as Frank Mason · Western - 1955
Oklahoma! as Wrangler (uncredited) · Western Worldwide box office: $16.1K - 1955
Simba as Kimani · Romance - 1953
Shane Drama Worldwide box office: $21.4K - 1951
Fort Defiance as Ben Shelby · Western - 1950
Rio Grande as Trooper Travis Tyree · Western - 1950
Wagon Master as Travis Blue · Western - 1949
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon Western Worldwide box office: $5.92K - 1949
Mighty Joe Young Adventure - 1949
3 Godfathers Drama - 1946
Badman’s Territory as Deputy Marshal (uncredited) · Action - 1945
The Naughty Nineties as Coach Driver (uncredited) · Comedy - 1943
The Outlaw as Deputy (uncredited) · Western
Ben Johnson in Documentaries & Specials
7- 2014
And the Oscar Goes To… as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2012
9.79* as Self · Documentary - 2004
Sam Peckinpah’s West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 1993
Warren Oates: Across the Border as Self · Documentary - 1991
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas as Self · Documentary - 1986
Ballet Black as Self - Original 'Ballet Negres' Member · Documentary - 1978
Inside ‘the Swarm’ as Self · Documentary
Ben Johnson: Awards & Nominations
3 wins from 3 nominations across 3 award bodies, from 1972 to 1973. That includes an Oscar: Best Supporting Actor for The Last Picture Show. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.
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BAFTA 1 win from 1 nomination -
Oscars 1 win from 1 nomination -
Golden Globes 1 win from 1 nomination
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26th British Academy Film Awards- Ben Johnson: Win Best Supporting Actor The Last Picture Show
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44th Academy Awards- Ben Johnson: Win Best Supporting Actor The Last Picture Show
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29th Golden Globe Awards- Ben Johnson: Win Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actor) The Last Picture Show
Who Is Ben Johnson?
Ben Johnson was born in Foraker, Oklahoma, United States in 1918. Credited on films since 1943, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
Ben Johnson was an acclaimed American actor, born as Benjamin Johnson Jr. on June 13, 1918. Known for his laconic cowboy character, he appeared in various films and television shows during an acting career spanning over five decades. Raised in Foraker, Oklahoma, on a cattle ranch, he got his start in the film industry through his work as a rodeo cowboy. He was hired by Hollywood to deliver horses to the set of a movie which eventually led to him being cast in minor roles. His career gradually progressed and Johnson became a trusted supporting actor for many directors. Johnson's performances were marked by authenticity and a unique on-screen presence, making him one of the more recognizable figures in Western films. He also gained widespread acclaim for his performances in numerous action, drama, and crime films. Despite numerous ups and downs, Johnson remained a constant in the industry until his death on April 8, 1996. His legacy continues to resonate and his influence is noticeable in many contemporary western and action films.
Who Ben Johnson Makes Movies With
The actors and directors Ben Johnson shares the most films with. Harry Carey Jr. comes first, with 9 films together, followed by Jack Elam (8).
Ben Johnson: Questions & Answers
How many movies Ben Johnson has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has Ben Johnson been in?
Ben Johnson is credited on 87 films, from 1943 to 2023. 79 of them as an actor and 1 as a director. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.
What is Ben Johnson's highest-grossing movie?
Angels in the Outfield (1994) is Ben Johnson's biggest box office hit, with $50.2M worldwide, ahead of Red Dawn (1984) ($38.4M). Across every film with box office figures, Ben Johnson's movies have made $175M.
Ben Johnson's biggest hits What is the best Ben Johnson movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Ben Johnson's best-rated film is I Need You Dead! (2020) with a score of 88, followed by Jurassic Thunder (2019) (28).
Best Ben Johnson movies, ranked Has Ben Johnson won an Oscar?
Ben Johnson has won an Oscar: Best Supporting Actor for The Last Picture Show at the 1972 ceremony. Across every ceremony in the awards database, Ben Johnson has 3 wins from 3 nominations.
What is Ben Johnson's newest movie?
The most recent film on Ben Johnson's filmography is Sirona (2023), in the role of Jason.
Who does Ben Johnson work with most often?
Ben Johnson shares the most films with Harry Carey Jr. (9 films), Jack Elam (8 films) and L.Q. Jones (7 films).
The Best Ben Johnson Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 87 credits.
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