Harry Johnson, “Battlestar Galactica” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” actor, dies at 81
His credits also included "The A-Team," "M*A*S*H," and "The Incredible Hulk."
Harry Johnson, a veteran actor who appeared on hit television shows such as Battlestar Galactica, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Law & Order, has died. He was 81.
Johnson died on Jan. 2 following a long illness, his representative confirmed to EW on Friday.
Born in Plainfield, N.J., in 1942, Johnson began his career as a contract player for Universal Studios and made his television debut as a warrior in the 1978 sci-fi epic Battlestar Galactica. He returned to the series, this time as a pilot, one year later.
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Harry Johnson in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.'The actor, often credited as Chip Johnson throughout the 1970s and ‘80s, later landed guest roles on several more beloved television series throughout his 40-year career, including M*A*S*H, Quincy M.E., The Incredible Hulk, The A-Team, L.A. Law, Dynasty, Who’s the Boss?, Melrose Place, Party of Five, Resurrection Blvd., Days of Our Lives, and as a parent on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He also starred opposite Adam West in the 1981 made-for-TV film Time Warp.
Johnson had a prolific career behind the scenes too, lending his voice to characters from the Need for Speed video game series and working as an automated dialogue replacement voice actor in loop groups for films such as Hot Pursuit, Black Mass, and Bird Box. His other voice credits include ADR performances on television shows like Law & Order and Chicago.
From 1993 until 1994, Johnson had a memorable turn as Harry in a series of “Harry & Louise” television and radio advertisements that were critical of then-president Bill Clinton’s health-care plan. He and his costar Louise Claire Clark reprised their roles multiple times over the years — first in an ad urging for health-care reform that aired during the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and again in support of Barack Obama’s health-care plan in 2009.
In addition to his onscreen career, Johnson wrote several novels under the name Harry Castle. His first novel, Fugitive Romance: The Fictional Memoir of a Hollywood Screenwriter, was released in 2013, followed by a short story collection titled Miracles & Misfits.
He is survived by his wife and his stepchildren, Oliver and Penelope.
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