Richard Johnson Biography

Fast Facts

• Served in the British Royal Navy during WWII from 1945 to 1948
• Co-founded It's a Green Green World, a travel search engine aimed at helping customers find eco-friendly hotels across the globe
• Studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he was later named a distinguished council member in 2000
• After touring with various stage productions throughout Europe during the earliest stage of his career, he transitioned to film in 1959 and signed a contract with MGM
• Co-founded the production company United British Artists in 1982
• Taught Shakespearean acting techniques to new actors via his website, "The Shakespeare Masterclass․"
• Took over the direction of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in 1959, eventually renaming it the Royal Shakespeare Company
• Considered for the role of James Bond prior to the filming of "Dr․ No," but turned producers down because he didn't want to sign a long-term film contract