
Sammy Johnson
- Date of Birth: 1949-05-14
- Date of Death: 1998-11-01
- Place of Birth: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
Biography
Born Ronald Samuel Johnson, Sammy Johnson (14th May 1949 to November 1998) was an English actor best known for the role of Stick in Spender. A close friend of Jimmy Nail, this was just one of the many... Born Ronald Samuel Johnson, Sammy Johnson (14th May 1949 to November 1998) was an English actor best known for the role of Stick in Spender. A close friend of Jimmy Nail, this was just one of the many programmes they co-starred in together (the others being Crocodile Shoes and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet). He also appeared in an adaptation of Catherine Cookson's The Gambling Man, and as Viz's famous comic book character Sid the Sexist, as well as the 1985 film Seacoal, 1989's And a Nightingale Sang, the 1997 TV film King Leek and a guest appearance in Casualty in 1996. One of his final roles was as Terry in Lost in France, a series of short topical specials that saw him play the patriarch of a family of football fans following the exploits of the England team during the 1998 World Cup. Later that year, and whilst training for Newcastle's the Great Northern Run, Johnson died of a heart attack whilst out jogging in the hills above his home in Málaga. He was 49 years old. Since his death, a memorial fund has been set up on his name and a biennial variety concert named Sunday for Sammy hosted by Tim Healy and (until 2008) Jimmy Nail, featuring sketches with North East personalities and former colleagues of Sammy. Kevin Whately, Denise Welch and Peter Beardsley are amongst the regular contributors. Away from acting, Sammy was a musician, playing guitar in bands such as Pigmeat, Ray Stubbs R&B Allstars and Matt Vinyl and the Decorators.

Sid the Sexist
Comedy, Animation • 1992 October

Auf Wiedersehen, Pet
Comedy, Drama • 1983 November

Crocodile Shoes
Drama • 1994 November

Spender
Crime, Drama • 1991 January

Wycliffe
Crime, Drama • 1994 July

The Gambling Man
Drama • 1995 February

Seacoal
• 1985 January

In Fading Light
Drama • 1989 January

And a Nightingale Sang
Romance, Comedy, Drama, TV Movie • 1989 April

King Leek
• 1997 September