Amy Jo Johnson

Amy Jo Johnson (born October 6, 1970) is an American-Canadian actress, filmmaker, singer, songwriter, and director. As an actress, Johnson is known for her roles as Kimberly Hart on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Julie Emrick on Felicity, and Jules Callaghan on Flashpoint.

This article is about the American actress. For the British aviator, see Amy Johnson.

Amy Jo Johnson
Johnson in 2017
Born (1970-10-06) October 6, 1970
Hyannis, Massachusetts, U.S.
Citizenship
  • American (1970–present)
  • Canadian (2015–present)
OccupationActress, singer, songwriter, musician, director
Years active1993–present
Known for
Spouse(s)
Olivier Giner
​
(
m. 2009; div. 2017)
Children1
Websiteamyjojohnson.com

Johnson has directed short films including Bent (2013) and Lines (2014), along with two feature-length films, The Space Between (2018) and Tammy's Always Dying (2019).[1][2]

Early life

Amy Jo Johnson was born on October 6, 1970, in Hyannis, Massachusetts, the daughter of Greig Johnson Sr., a car salesman, and Christine Johnson (d. 1998), a clothing store manager. She has two siblings, a brother and a sister.[3] Though born in Hyannis, Johnson grew up in Dennis, Massachusetts, and attended Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School.[4] As a child, she studied gymnastics.

Career

Acting

Johnson moved to New York City at 18 to pursue an acting career. She attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She later moved to Los Angeles to audition for her first part.

Johnson's breakthrough role came less than a month after she moved to Los Angeles, when she was selected to portray Kimberly Hart, the Pink Ranger, in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the first installment of the Power Rangers franchise. Despite the series being a huge success and having brought Johnson international recognition as an actress, the show brought her little financial security, as she and the others were paid only $600 a week for their work on the show, which included stunt work and public appearances; none of the cast received any royalty payments from re-runs of episodes they appeared in.[5] As a non-union show, physical danger on set presented a very real threat to Johnson; while filming Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, she was almost set on fire during a stunt and, during Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, she was almost electrocuted.[6][7] Johnson ultimately made the decision to leave the show in 1995, passing the role of the Pink Ranger to Australian actress Catherine Sutherland. In an appearance on I Love the '90s, Johnson jokingly stated that having been the Pink Power Ranger was something she would "never live down." In later years, Johnson stated that becoming famous from the show was at times overwhelming and had given her nightmares, but that overall, she learned many things and is grateful to the show and her fans.[8][9][10] In all, Johnson's character appeared in 137 episodes in the franchise, her final TV appearance being in a 2014 episode of Power Rangers Super Megaforce. She, alongside former co-star Jason David Frank, made a cameo appearance in the 2017 film Power Rangers, though not as Power Rangers.

Johnson in 2000

After she left the series in 1995, Johnson went on to star in Disney Channel's Susie Q and in the Saved by the Bell: The New Class episode "Backstage Pass." In 1997, she starred in NBC's adaptation of Lois Duncan's novel Killing Mr. Griffin and played a gymnast with an eating disorder in Perfect Body. Johnson also participated in the film Without Limits. She also reprised her role as Kimberly Hart in Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie.

In 1998, Johnson was invited to play Julie Emrick in The WB series Felicity. She held a main role on Felicity for three seasons and was a special guest in its fourth and final season.

In the early 2000s, Johnson had roles in Interstate 60, Pursuit of Happiness, and Infested, as well as television film Hard Ground. She also had guest starring roles on Spin City and ER. In 2004, she starred as Stacy Reynolds in the fourth season of The Division. In the latter half of the decade, she had recurring roles in Wildfire and What About Brian, and she starred in television films Magma: Volcanic Disaster on Syfy and Fatal Trust on Lifetime. In addition, Johnson took parts in a few independent films: Veritas, Prince of Truth and Islander.

Beginning in 2008, Johnson became a series regular on Flashpoint as Constable Jules Callaghan, a member of the fictional Strategic Response Unit of the Toronto Police service.[11] She was nominated for a Gemini Award for her performance. The show aired new episodes through 2012.

Since 2012, Johnson has had guest roles on a few shows including a recurring role on USA's Covert Affairs.

Directing

Johnson has directed and produced two acclaimed short films: Bent (2013) and Lines (2014).[12][13] She then went on to direct the feature film The Space Between.[14] In 2018, she began working on her next film, Tammy's Always Dying.[15] The movie received praise from critics, particularly for Huffman's and Phillips' performances.[16][17] It is available at video on demand release on May 1, 2020.[18]

She is a member of Film Fatales, a non-profit organization that advocates for women's parity in the entertainment industry.

Music

Johnson is a singer-songwriter and has released three albums: The Trans-American Treatment (2001), Imperfect (2005), and Never Broken (2013).[19] She has performed in the Los Angeles area with the Amy Jo Johnson Band. In December 2007, she contributed guest vocals to Koishii & Hush's cover of The Cars track "Since You're Gone", which was released as a single. The song is also part of the album Souvenirs, released in 2008.[20]

Some of Johnson's music has been featured on television shows. Johnson's character in Felicity was originally described as a dancer, but with Johnson's input, the producers rewrote the character as a singer and guitarist. As a result, Johnson was able to perform her own song, "Puddle of Grace", on the show. This song was included in the album Felicity Soundtrack (1999) successfully released by Hollywood Records. As a result of the reception of the song, another Johnson song, "Clear Blue Day", was also featured on the show. In The Division, her song "Cat in the Snow" is the theme song from one of the episodes. In Flashpoint, her songs "Dancing In-Between" and "Goodbye" were featured.[21]

In 2013, she performed the song "God" in her movie Bent.[22] In 2014, her song "Lines" had featured in her movie Lines.[23] Her 2017 song "Cracker Jacks" was the theme song from the movie The Space Between.[24]

Personal life

Johnson was previously married to Olivier Giner. The two divorced in 2017 and have one child together, a daughter born in 2008.[25][26] Johnson resides in Toronto, Canada, and became a Canadian citizen on June 23, 2015, making her a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.[27]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie Kimberly Hart / Pink Ranger
1997 Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie Kimberly Hart
1997 Perfect Body Andie Bradley
1998 Without Limits Iowa's Finest
1999 Cold Hearts Alicia
1999 Sweetwater Nansi Nevins
2001 Pursuit of Happiness Tracy
2001 Liars Club Karen
2002 Interstate 60 Laura
2002 Infested Jesse
2005 Adjusting Arbie Fairy Short film
2006 Islander Cheryl
2007 Veritas, Prince of Truth Marty Williams
2011 Summer Song Jenni
2012 Tiger Eyes Gwen Wexler
2013 Coming Home for Christmas Wendy O'Brien Video
2013 Bent Amelia Director/Actress; short film
2014 Lines Amelia Director/Actress; short film
2015 Shooting Blanks (The Blunder) Amelia (voice) Director/Actress; short film
2016 The Space Between Amelia Director/Actress
2017 Power Rangers Angel Grove Citizen Cameo
2019 Tammy's Always Dying Director

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1993–1995 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Kimberly Hart / Pink Power Ranger Main cast
1994 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Alpha's Magical Christmas Kimberly Hart Video short
1995 The Eddie Files Cindy Episode: "The Counting Principle: Eddie in Barbieland"
1996 Saved by the Bell: The New Class Linda Episode: "Backstage Pass"
1996 Susie Q Susie Quinn / Maggie TV film
1997 Killing Mr. Griffin Susan McConnell TV film
1997 Perfect Body Andie Bradley TV film
1998–2000;
2002		 Felicity Julie Emrick Main cast (seasons 1–3); special guest star (season 4)
1999 Sweetwater Nansi Nevins TV film
2001 Night Visions Sara Episode: "Rest Stop/After Life"
2001 ER Jill Episode: "Partly Cloudy, Chance of Rain"
2002 Spin City Stephanie Episode: "Sex, Lies and Video Date"
2003 Hard Ground Elizabeth Kennedy TV film
2004 I Love the 90s Herself Episode: "10"
2004 The Division Stacy Reynolds Main cast
2005–2007 Wildfire Tina Sharp Recurring: 7 episodes
2006 Magma: Volcanic Disaster Brianna Chapman TV film
2006 What About Brian Karen – Car Girl Episodes: "Pilot", "What About the Fish" & "What About Angelo's Ashes"
2006 Fatal Trust Kate TV film
2008–2012 Flashpoint Jules Callaghan Main cast
2013 Cracked Sydney Reid Episode: "Night Terrors"
2014 Bookaboo Herself Episode: "The Talent Show"
2014 Covert Affairs Hayley Price Recurring
2019 The Has Been Jordanna Main cast

Discography

Studio albums
  • The Trans-American Treatment (2001)
  • Imperfect (2005)
  • Never Broken (2013)
  • "Clear Blue Day", "Puddle of Grace" from the series Felicity (1998)
  • "Motherless Child", "What's Wrong", "Two Words", "In A Rainbow", "First Love", from the TV movie Sweetwater (1999)
  • "Cat in the Snow" from series The Division (2004)
  • "Goodbye", "Dancing in Between" from series Flashpoint (2008)
  • "God" from the movie Bent (2013)
  • "Lines" from the movie Lines (2014)
  • "Cracker Jacks" from the movie The Space Between (2017)

Awards and nominations

Among other notable recognitions, Johnson received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role at the 24th Annual Gemini Awards in 2009. She also received two nominations as Best Actress for her role in Flashpoint at the Monte Carlo TV Festival.[28][29]

Year Result Award Category Work Ref.
2000 Nominated Teen Choice Awards TV Star Choice Sidekick Felicity [30]
2002 Nominated Slamdunk Film Festival Best Actress Pursuit of Happiness [31]
2009 Nominated Gemini Awards Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Flashpoint [32]
2010 Nominated Monte Carlo TV Festival TV Best Actress Flashpoint [33]
2012 Nominated Monte Carlo TV Festival Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Flashpoint [34]
2013 Won Long Island Film Festival Shelly Award for Woman Filmmakers Bent [35]
2013 Won Women in Film and Television Audience Choice Bent [35]
2013 Won Toronto International Film Festival Jury Award Bent [35]
2014 Won Buffalo Niagara Film Festival Best Canadian Short Bent [35]
2014 Won Toronto International Short Film Festival Best Comedy Lines [35]
2015 Won Buffalo Niagara Film Festival Best Actress Lines [35]
gollark: osmarkscalculator™ actually *is* fearlessly concurrent too.
gollark: I did release the source a while back. You should use that.
gollark: osmarkscalculator™ is in Rust.
gollark: Also, make sure to use infectious metaclasses.
gollark: Repos, plural.

References
  1. Wilner, Norman (September 5, 2019). "TIFF review: Tammy's Always Dying". NOW Magazine.
  2. "'Tammy's Always Dying': Film Review | TIFF 2019". The Hollywood Reporter.
  3. "Memories of My Mother". Chicken Soup for the Soul. July 2, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  4. Archived February 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "No Pink Spandex » Transcript of Episode 151: Interview with Amy Jo Johnson". awwman.com. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  6. "Power Rangers: Amy Jo Johnson Reveals The Moment She Almost Caught On Fire During Mighty Morphin". Power Rangers. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  7. "Power Rangers: 15 Darkest Behind The Scenes Secrets". ScreenRant. April 3, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  8. "No Pink Spandex " Episode 151: Interview with Amy Jo Johnson". Awwman.com. September 17, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  9. "No Pink Spandex " Transcript of Episode 151: Interview with Amy Jo Johnson". Awwman.com. September 17, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  10. "The original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers look back on life in spandex 25 years later". Entertainment Weekly. November 20, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  11. "Amy Jo Johnson as Jules Callahan". Cbs.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  12. "Press". Amy Jo Johnson. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  13. Amy Johnson (May 20, 2016). "Lines a short film by Amy Jo Johnson" – via YouTube.
  14. "What Are You Up to Now? Checking in With Amy Jo Johnson of "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers"". Complex. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  15. Vlessing, Etan (December 5, 2018). "Felicity Huffman, Anastasia Phillips Star in Amy Jo Johnson's Dark Comedy 'Tammy's Always Dying'". Hollywood Reporter.
  16. Wilner, Norman (September 5, 2019). "TIFF review: Tammy's Always Dying". NOW Magazine.
  17. "'Tammy's Always Dying': Film Review | TIFF 2019". The Hollywood Reporter.
  18. N'Duka, Amanda (March 30, 2020). "Felicity Huffman Movie 'Tammy's Always Dying' Lands At Quiver Distribution With VOD Bow Planned". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  19. "Music". Amy Jo Johnson. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  20. "Amy Jo Johnson | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  21. Archived January 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  22. "Amy Jo Johnson - Amy Jo Johnson - BENT". amyjojohnson.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  23. "Amy Jo Johnson - Amy Jo Johnson - LINES". amyjojohnson.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  24. "about". The Space Between.
  25. "Pink Power Ranger's Fan Nightmares | Watch the video – Yahoo Celebrity". Omg.yahoo.com. October 15, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  26. Wihlborg, Ulrica (December 5, 2008). "Felicity's Amy Jo Johnson Welcomes a Baby Girl". People.com. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
  27. Johnson, Amy Jo [@_amyjojohnson] (June 23, 2015). "Super happy! I'm becoming a Canadian today! Dual Citizenship!! LOVE my countries! PLURAL... ;-)" (Tweet). Retrieved December 11, 2016 – via Twitter.
  28. "'Flashpoint' sets record for Gemini nominations | CTV News". Ctv.ca. August 25, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  29. "24th Annual Gemini Award Nominations" (PDF). Geminiawards.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 27, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  30. "Flashpoint Fan Site: Amy Jo Johnson". Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  31. "Slamdunk Film Festival January 17, 2002". IMDb.com. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  32. "Amy Jo Brasil | Amy Jo Johnson Fansite: Fotos: Amy Jo Johnson no Gemini Awards 2009". Amyjobrasil.blogspot.com. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  33. Archived November 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  34. "Festival de Television de Monte Carlo 52e" (PDF). Tvfestival.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 17, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  35. "Prêmios e indicações – Curta Bent". Retrieved October 23, 2013.
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