Early life and education Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 5, 1950, He transferred to
Northern Kentucky University, where he graduated in 1973 with a degree in political science. He later earned a master's degree in public affairs from the
University of Cincinnati. Johnson was a
Catholic seminarian before deciding to pursue both acting and journalism.
Professional career While still an undergraduate student, Johnson began his career at
WCPO-TV in
Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1976, he joined WUSA 9 TV, the
CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C. Johnson distinguished himself early with notable news stories, including the
1982 Washington Metro train derailment that killed three people and injured 25 others. He covered the
1977 Hanafi Siege where 12 gunmen seized three Washington, D.C., buildings, held 149 hostages and killed a radio journalist colleague; a city hall police officer later died of a heart attack in hospital. The early 1990s saw him report and anchor for the acclaimed "Capitols of the World" documentaries. Johnson was dispatched to
Moscow,
Paris,
Stockholm,
Budapest,
Tokyo,
Dakar, and
Bangkok. In March 2013, Johnson reported live from Rome on the election of
Pope Francis. Years before, he also covered the Vatican installation of Washington Archbishop Cardinal
Theodore McCarrick. From Washington, D.C., Johnson covered the visits of
Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. Johnson covered the rise, fall, and rise again of D.C.'s best known and controversial local politician, the late D.C. Mayor and City Councilmember
Marion Barry, including Barry's arrest at the Vista Hotel for smoking crack cocaine, his prison sentence and return to elective political office. Before his death, the "Mayor for Life," Marion Barry, had instructed his family and staff that Johnson be the only journalist to speak at his public funeral, which drew thousands. Johnson explained to the crowd, "I'm ... thankful to Marion Barry. I owe him my career." In 1992, Johnson suffered a
heart attack while covering a news story in Washington, D.C. He had just interviewed drug dealers working next to a youth summer jobs program hosted by D.C. Mayor
Sharon Pratt Kelly. He felt a tightening in his chest and his cameraman drove him to a local firehouse. Johnson also authored the book
Heart to Heart, featuring his story and the diverse comeback stories of 11 other male and female cardiac survivors. In 2018, Johnson returned to NKU as commencement speaker. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree.
Death Johnson died on April 3, 2022, after a heart attack in
Lewes, Delaware. He was 71 years old. ==Awards and recognition==