John Didrik Johnsen

John "Johnny" Didrik Johnsen (23 July 1885 - 7 February 1974) was an American background artist and layout artist. He is best known for his work as Tex Avery's background artist at Warner Bros. and MGM.
== Early Life ==
John was born in Denver, Colorado, to Didrik and Karen A. Johnsen who arrived in the U.S. from Norway in 1893.
== Early Career ==
After he and his family moved to Los Angeles around 1909, Johnsen was employed as an artist on the Los Angeles Express. He was also an inventor who filed a patent for producing color printing plates.
== Animation Career ==
Johnsen arrived at Leon Schlesinger Productions in the late 1930s and worked for Tex Avery until he left for MGM in 1941 where he later joined him. He remained briefly at Schlesinger's when Bob Clampett took over Avery's unit. 
Later on, Johnsen left for MGM, where he did the backgrounds for various MGM cartoons for both the Tex Avery and William Hanna/Joseph Barbera units. When Avery temporarily took a sabbatical year-long break from MGM in 1950, Johnsen briefly worked with Disney animator Dick Lundy who briefly took over as director for Avery's unit that year.
Johnsen retired in the early 1950s.
== Death ==
Johnsen died in Los Angeles at the age of 88.
== Looney Works ==
* The Heckling Hare
* Hollywood Steps Out
See :Category:Cartoons with backgrounds by John Didrik Johnsen
== External Links ==
* https://tralfaz.blogspot.com/2011/10/johnny-johnsens-riot.html
 
Category:1885 Births
Category:1974 Deaths
Category:Real People
Category:Deceased
Category:Background-artists