Brad Johnson's humble beginnings on a small ranch in Tucson, Arizona, shaped his modesty and quiet strength, earning him comparisons to Hollywood legends John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and James Stewart.
Born to a horse trainer and used car salesman, Johnson's early life was marked by a variety of unconventional jobs, including shoeing horses, repossessing cars, and serving as a hunting and fishing guide. His experiences had a profound impact on his development, laying the foundation for his future success.
Johnson's route to stardom was unexpected and unconventional. He began his career in the Pro Rodeo circuit in 1984, where he was spotted by a casting director and offered a role in a beer commercial. This initial break led to a three-year stint as the Marlboro Man, followed by numerous print ads and commercials.
However, a serious knee injury forced Johnson to reevaluate his rodeo career, and he eventually headed to Hollywood. Within five months of his arrival, he was cast in the film Nam Angels (1989),directed by Roger Corman.
Johnson's breakthrough role came when he was cast by Steven Spielberg in the film Always (1989),opposite Holly Hunter. Hunter described Johnson as "all twisted steel and sex appeal," highlighting his unique on-screen presence.
The success of Always led to Johnson's next role in John Milius's Flight of the Intruder (1991),and he soon found himself with a three-picture deal at Paramount Pictures.
Throughout his career, Johnson has appeared in over 60 hours of television, 11 pilots, and more than 25 films. His production company, High Lonesome Productions, has several projects in various stages of development.
Johnson lives with his wife, Laurie, and their eight children on a ranch in the mountains of Colorado.
