Brad Johnson, who starred in Steven Spielberg’s film “Always” and appeared on “Melrose Place,” has died. He was 62 years old at the time.
Johnson died on February 18 in Fort Worth, Texas, from COVID-19 complications.
Linda McAlister, his publicist, confirmed his death to the Hollywood Reporter.
“Despite being taken far too soon, he lived life to the fullest and instilled in his children the same values,” his family said in a statement.
In the obituary dedicated to the soap opera star, his family members hailed him as “a true renaissance man.”
Johnson is survived by Laurie, his 35-year-old wife, his eldest son Shane, and his daughters Bellamy, Rachel, Eliana, Eden, Rebekah, Annabeth, and William, his youngest son.
Before arriving to Hollywood, he was a Calvin Klein model who appeared in countless cigarette commercials as the Marlboro Man.
In 1989, he drew the attention of filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who cast him with Holly Hunter and Richard Dreyfuss in his romantic fantasy drama “Always.”
Johnson had a recurring role as Dr. Dominick O’Malley on Fox’s famous ’90s drama “Melrose Place.”
Johnson was born in Tucson, Arizona, in October 1959 to a horse-trainer father and a love of the great outdoors.
Johnson eventually became engaged in the professional rodeo circuit in 1984, and while wrestling steers in Wyoming, he was noticed by a casting director looking for cowboys for a new beer ad.
“Soldier of Fortune, Inc.,” “Riverworld,” “CSI,” “Dallas,” “The Birds II: Land’s End,” and “Rough Riders” were among Johnson’s other credits.
In addition, Johnson built a hunting lodge in New Mexico and was passionate about repairing Winchester Model 1886 guns. Throughout his career, he lived in gorgeous communities in North Texas and in the Colorado highlands.
