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Melrose Place star Brad Johnson died of coronavirus in February aged 62, his heartbroken family has revealed – as they paid tribute to a ‘true Renaissance man’.
The actor, who also featured in Steven Spileberg’s hit drama Always, passed away due to pneumonia he contracted while fighting the deadly virus.
He died on February 18 in Fort Worth in Texas following his battle with Covid, his representative Linda McAlister announced.
His family released a heartbroken statement on Thursday night, remembering a man who ‘lived life to the fullest’ but ‘was taken too early’.
Johnson rocketed to fame in his role as Dr Dominick O’Malley in the hit Fox drama Melrose Place, which he starred on in 1996.
He also featured in Spileberg’s romantic fantasy hit 1989 blockbuster Always, which he played the rising pilot Ted Baker.
The actor had stayed away from films over the last few years but had been planning a comeback in the Western Treasure Valley before it was shut down due to the writer and star of the film Jay Pickett’s death.
Brad Johnson, an actor who played a supporting role in the hit Steven Spileberg drama Always, has died at the age of 62 due to complications from Covid. Pictured: The actor and a horse in a photo released by his family ahead of his funeral in February
Johnson and his family are pictured at the Los Angeles premiere of the Kirk Cameron-starring religious film Left Behind in 2000. The film spawned two sequels
Johnson also famously recurred as Dr. Dominick O’Malley in the hit Fox drama Melrose Place in 1996. His character romanced Daphne Zuniga’s Jo Reynolds (pictured)
Johnson (left) on the set of the 1991 John Milius film Flight of the Intruder with co-stars Danny Glover and Willem Defoe on location in Hawaii
Johnson, seen here with John Goodman on the set of Steven Spielberg’s 1989 hit Always in which he played Ted Baker
Johnson’s family business posted this tribute to him on Facebook in March. Away from acting, he built a hunting lodge in New Mexico, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and also worked restoring old rifles and selling ranch real estate in North Texas
‘He was a true renaissance man,’ his family wrote in an obituary published in March. ‘He was not only interested in all life had to offer, but was gifted in it as well.’
‘Although he was taken too early, he lived life to the fullest. He was larger than life. Brad was loved by many and loved people back, a genuine friend, trusted colleague, and a dedicated husband and father, he will never be forgotten, and his legacy will go on.’
The onetime rodeo cowboy got his big break portraying the famous ‘Marlboro Man’ cigarette mascot in the mid-80s, which brought him to Spielberg’s attention. He was in People’s ‘Most Beautiful’ issue in 1990.
Some of his other prominent roles include a recurring part on CSI, the Kirk Cameron-starring religious trilogy Left Behind as Captain Rayford Steele and the syndicated TV series Soldier of Fortune, Inc.
The most recent role cited on his IMDb page is a 2015 cowboy film called Nail 32.
Johnson was born on October 24, 1959 in Tucson, Arizona to a horse trader father.
In 1984, Johnson worked as a professional rodeo cowboy before becoming a pitchman for Marlboro cigarettes and Calvin Klein.
He quit rodeo after injuring his knee in 1986 and in that same year, having been recruited by a movie scout which led to the beginning of his acting career.
The former cowboy’s TV break came with a guest spot on the CBS megahit Dallas and worked in films like 1989’s Nam Angels before being cast in Spielberg’s hit Always with Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, John Goodman and Audrey Hepburn in her final film role.
Johnson has largely been inactive in films and TV in recent years but has stayed busy in other pursuits.
He built a hunting lodge in New Mexico, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and also worked restoring old rifles and selling ranch real estate in North Texas.
His family noted that his restoration work had been displayed worldwide and he’d become known as a master crafstman.
‘[Johnson] always felt most at home outdoors, and his passion for hunting made that evident,’ his family said. The business, Johnson Land & Home, will be taken over by two of his daughters.
Johnson spoke to People about his interests outside acting in a 1990 interview. ‘If things work out in Hollywood, great,’ he said.
‘But if something happens that I don’t like, adios. It’s kind of like my dad says: You only go this way once, and if you do it right, then once is enough.’
Johnson – seen here in 1989 – died on February 18 in Fort Worth, Texas , his representative Linda McAlister told The Hollywood Reporter
Johnson, pictured in black and white on the set of his first big film, 1991’s Always directed by Steven Spielberg
Brad Johnson with wife Laurie and son Shane as they attend the Grand Opening of the New Universal Studios Theme Park Ride – E.T. Adventure in California in 1991Â
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Laurie, and their children, Shane, Bellamy, Rachel, Eliana, Eden, Rebekah, Annabeth and William, as well as three grandchildren and his stepmother.
The rodeo was where Johnson and Laurie met in Dallas.
‘Brad loved nothing more than his family,’ his obituary reads. ‘He put them before himself in every way and they know that they could not have been blessed with a better husband and father.’
Johnson was buried at Perryman Cemetery in Forestburg, Texas.
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