Rita Johnson

Rita Johnson (August 13, 1913 – October 31, 1965) was an American actress. She was born Rita McSean in Worcester, Massachusetts and attended the New England Conservatory of Music. She began acting on Broadway in 1935 and started her film career two years after that. She had a memorable role in the RKO black-and-white film noir They Won't Believe Me (1947) playing the doomed wife of cheater Robert Young. She also was memorable in Here Comes Mr. Jo... more

Rita Johnson (August 13, 1913 – October 31, 1965) was an American actress. She was born Rita McSean in Worcester, Massachusetts and attended the New England Conservatory of Music. She began acting on Broadway in 1935 and started her film career two years after that. She had a memorable role in the RKO black-and-white film noir They Won't Believe Me (1947) playing the doomed wife of cheater Robert Young. She also was memorable in Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) and The Big Clock (1948). Johnson's film career came almost to a complete stop after a 1948 freak accident (a hair dryer fell on her head) that required delicate brain surgery. Her screen time in movies after that was limited due to her reduced mobility and powers of concentration. She also suffered as an alcoholic from the time of her injuries until her death. less