Spoiler : Johnson, Ben (Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Jr.) Born in Pawhuska, Oklahoma 6/13/1918; died 4/8/1996 of a heart attack while visiting his mother at the Mesa, Arizona Leisure World retirement center (where they both lived). Began career as a ranch hand. Hired by Howard Hughes to groom horses for movie The Outlaw (1939). Moved to Hollywood and became a stunt rider, and double for stars including John Wayne, and Gary Cooper (1943). Screen debut as an actor on screen in Three Godfathers (1948). Champion rodeo rider, and was the winner of the World Champion Cowboy title in 1953. Academy Award, and the New York Film Critics Award for The Last Picture Show (1971). Last movies were made-for-television; Bonanza: The Return (1993) and Bonanza: Under Attack (1995). Sleeve on The Monroes for ABC-TV (1966-1967).