Johnny Carpenter

Johnny Carpenter (Jasper Carpenter; June 25, 1914 – February 27, 2003) was an American film actor, screenwriter and producer. He was known mostly for his work in Westerns and for his association with filmmaker Ed Wood. He used the stage names John, Johnny, Josh, and John Forbes.[1]

This article is about the actor. For the film director, see John Carpenter. For other people, see John Carpenter (disambiguation).
Johnny Carpenter
Born
Jasper Carpenter

(1914-06-25)June 25, 1914
Dardanelle, Arkansas
DiedFebruary 27, 2003(2003-02-27) (aged 88)
Burbank, California
Other namesJosh Carpenter
John Forbes
Years active1935–1972

Film career

Johnny began working in Hollywood in the mid-1940s, mostly in bit parts in B-Westerns. By 1950, Johnny had graduated to larger roles in films produced by Jack Schwarz, including Border Outlaws and Cattle Queen, his breakout film. He starred in several more B-westerns, all the while continuing to do stunt work in higher profile films.

From 1953 to 1956, Carpenter produced four movies independently; Son of the Renegade (1953), The Lawless Rider (1954), Outlaw Treasure (1955) and I Killed Wild Bill Hickok (1956). These four films have drawn comparisons between Carpenter and his friend Ed Wood, who actually helped produce The Lawless Rider and may have worked on Son of the Renegade, as well. Carpenter would also make a featured appearance in Wood's 1959 film, Night of the Ghouls.

By the 1960s, western film work had dried up and Carpenter's output decreased, with his last film role being in 1961's Tomboy and the Champ.

Heaven on Earth

Besides his work in westerns, Carpenter had a great love of horses and tried to share his enthusiasm with all who cared. One way in which he spread his love of the outdoors was through his "Heaven on Earth" ranch.[2] First located in Glendale, California (later moved Lake View Terrace), the ranch was available for handicapped children (mostly from Los Angeles) to come and spend a day with the horses and enjoy the mock western town that served as the ranch's backdrop. The ranch began in the mid-1940s and ran until Carpenter was evicted in 1994, having run for around fifty years.

References
  1. Boyd Magers: Biography of John Carpenter in "The Old Corral", http://www.b-westerns.com/johnnyc.htm, 2007.
  2. Michael Carpenter: New Heaven on Earth Ranch, http://www.nhoer.org/ Archived 2014-12-18 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 28 Jun 2009.
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