Ashley Johnson (actress)

Ashley Suzanne Johnson (born August 9, 1983)[1] is an American actress, voice actress and singer. Her work includes roles as Chrissy Seaver in Growing Pains, Annie Warbucks in Annie: A Royal Adventure!, Alex Marshall in What Women Want, Gretchen Grundler in Disney's Recess, Jinmay Rayfield in Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!, Terra in Teen Titans, Gwen Tennyson in the Ben 10 franchise, Ellie in The Last of Us and its sequel, Tulip and Lake in Infinity Train, and Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing. She starred in the NBC drama Blindspot as FBI forensic specialist Patterson and is a cast member of the web series Critical Role.

Ashley Johnson
Johnson in April 2014
Born (1983-08-09) August 9, 1983
Camarillo, California, U.S.
Occupation
  • Actress
  • voice actress
  • singer
Years active1990–present

Johnson is a two-time BAFTA Award winner for her performances as Ellie in The Last of Us and The Last of Us: Left Behind.

Early life

Johnson was born in Camarillo, California, on August 9, 1983,[2] the youngest child of independent film producer Nancy (née Spruiell) and the late exploration ship captain Cliff Johnson. She is of Danish, Irish, Native American, Norwegian, Scottish, and Swedish descent.[3] She is the youngest out of three children. Ashley Johnson has two older siblings Chris and Haylie. Her father started a new job nine days after she was born, subsequently moving the family to Franklin, Michigan. She studied violin and piano at the International School of Music.

Career

Johnson's career began at age six, when she played the role of Chrissy Seaver on the sitcom Growing Pains from 1990 to 1992. The character's age was accelerated from a toddler between seasons for plotting purposes. By the time she was 12, Johnson had been in the casts of eight TV series. She later reprised her role as Chrissy in The Growing Pains Movie and Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers. In the one season series Phenom (1993–94), she played the mischievous younger sister of a rising teenage tennis star. Johnson appeared in the 1994 sitcom All-American Girl, which also lasted for only one season. She played DJ's overbearing girlfriend Lisa in the 1995 Roseanne episode "The Blaming of the Shrew". During the 1995–1996 ABC lineup, she played Gracie Wallace in the sitcom Maybe This Time. She played Alex Marshall in the 2000 comedy What Women Want. In 2008, she became a regular on the drama Dirt as Sharlee Cates. In 2009, Johnson appeared in "Omega", the first-season finale of Joss Whedon's Dollhouse.

In 2012, she appeared in The Avengers (also directed by Whedon) as a waitress who is saved by Steve Rogers / Captain America. She was intended to appear in future films as his newest love interest (as implied in a brief scene in the film), but that plan was shelved and instead actress Emily VanCamp's Sharon Carter character became involved with Rogers. Although her role was minor, the Blu-ray edition of The Avengers contains some deleted scenes that expand her role in the movie and further her interactions with Rogers.[4][5]

As a voice actress, she played Sean on the cartoon movie The First Snow of Winter in the US version in 1998, Gretchen Grundler on the Walt Disney TV animated series Recess, Terra in the Teen Titans animated series during the show's second and fifth season, Jinmay Rayfield in Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! and Gwen Tennyson on Ben 10: Alien Force and in future variations of the Ben 10 franchise.

She co-starred in the PlayStation exclusive The Last of Us as the character Ellie, which was released to critical acclaim and commercial success.[6] She subsequently won a video game BAFTA for Best Performer and a VGX Award for Best Voice Actress for her role in the game. On March 12, 2015, Johnson won another BAFTA for Best Performer for the same role in the game's downloadable content, The Last of Us: Left Behind.[7] She reprises the role in The Last of Us Part II.

Johnson appears in several Geek & Sundry shows, including playing occult specialist Morgan on the web series Spooked on Hulu, playing Alhambra and Dead of Winter on the board gaming web series TableTop,[8][9] and playing Pike Trickfoot and Yasha Nydoorin in Critical Role.[10]

As of 2015, she plays FBI forensic specialist Patterson in the NBC drama series Blindspot.[11]

In 2015, Johnson was the voice actress of main character Petra the Warrior in Minecraft: Story Mode by Telltale Games and Mojang.

In 2016, Johnson provided the voice of Tulip in the pilot for Infinity Train and reprised the role for the full series in 2019.

Personal life

Johnson enjoys singing and playing the guitar, violin, piano, and cello; her performance as Ellie in The Last of Us Part II included acoustic guitar covers of "Future Days" by Pearl Jam, "Take On Me" by A-ha, and "Through the Valley" by Shawn James. Since 2012, Johnson has been in a relationship with American writer, poet, and singer Brian W. Foster, who hosts the Critical Role aftershow Talks Machina.[12][13] Ashley's older brother Chris Johnson worked on the television show The District. Her older sister Haylie Johnson is best known for her role as Haylie on Kids Incorporated. Haylie is married to musician Jonny Lang.[14] In her spare time, she co-runs the photography company Infinity Pictures with production assistant Mila Shah. In April 2000 Ashley's father Cliff was diagnosed with liver cancer and lung cancer.[15] Cliff died from liver cancer and lung cancer that same year. At the time of his death Cliff Johnson was suffering from Hepatitis C.[16]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes Source
1990 Lionheart Nicole Gaultier
1995 Nine Months Shannon Dwyer
1998 Dancer, Texas Pop. 81 Josie Hemphill
1999 Anywhere but Here Sarah
Marionette
2000 The Indescribable Nth Doris (voice) Short film
What Women Want Alex Marshall
2001 Recess: School's Out Gretchen Grundler (voice)
Rustin Lee Wolford
2003 The Failures Lilly Kyle
2004 Killer Diller Angie
King of the Corner Elena Spivak
2005 Nearing Grace Merna Ash
2006 Fast Food Nation Amber
Grad Night Student
The Pity Card Gretel Short film
2007 The Brothers Solomon Patricia
2008 Columbus Day Alana
Otis Riley Lawson
Pie'n Burger Holly Short film
2009 Punching the Clown Tracy
Spread Eva
2010 Alleged Rose Williams
2011 The Help Mary Beth Caldwell
2012 The Avengers Waitress Beth
Much Ado About Nothing Margaret
2015 Paradox Sophie
When Marnie Was There Emily English dub
2016 Punching Henry Danielle
2018 Juvenilles Ms. Taylor
Weight Liza

Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1990–1992 Growing Pains Christine Ellen "Chrissy" Seaver
1993 In the Shadows, Someone's Watching Blind Girl Television film
Men Don't Tell Cindy Television film
Timmy's Special Delivery: A Precious Moments Christmas Additional voices Television special
The Town Santa Forgot Granddaughter (voice) Television film
1993–1994 Phenom Mary Margaret Doolan 22 episodes
1994 All-American Girl Casey Emmerson 12 episodes
1995 Annie: A Royal Adventure! Annie Warbucks Television film
Roseanne Lisa Episode: "The Blaming of the Shrew"
1995 Mina and the Count Mina (voice) Episode: "Interlude with a Vampire" [17]
1995–1996 Maybe This Time Gracie Wallace 18 episodes
1996–1998 Jumanji Peter Shepherd (voice) 40 episodes
1997 Moloney Katherine "Kate" Moloney 3 episodes
Wings Rebecca Episode: "Ms. Write"
1997–2001 Recess Gretchen Grundler (voice) 129 episodes
1998 ER Dana Ellis 2 episodes
Kelly Kelly Maureen Kelly 7 episodes
1999 Partners Janie Television film
2000 The Growing Pains Movie Chrissy Seaver Television film
2001 Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street Gretchen Grundler (voice) Video [17]
2002 Ally McBeal Serena Feldman Episode: "Heart and Soul"
The Guardian Betsy Fortunato Episode: "Sacrifice"
Lloyd in Space Violet (voice) 5 episodes
Providence Daphne Wallace 3 episodes
Roswell Eileen Burrows 2 episodes
Touched by an Angel Natalie Episode: "Bring on the Rain"
2003 Kidz History: The Revolutionary War Colonist Video
Recess: All Growed Down Gretchen (voice) Video [17]
Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade Gretchen (voice) Video [17]
2003–2004 Married to the Kellys Shari 2 episodes
2004 Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers Chrissy Seaver
2004–2006 Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! Jinmay Rayfield (voice) 6 episodes
Teen Titans Terra (voice) 7 episodes [17]
2004–2010 King of the Hill Voices: Emily / Jamie 7 episodes
2005 The X's Kimla Episode: "License to Slumber"
2006 Lilo & Stitch: The Series Gretchen Grundler (voice) Episode: "Lax: Experiment #285"
2007 Monk Susie the Maid Episode: "Mr. Monk Is at Your Service"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Dreama Little Episode: "Ending Happy"
Heartland Rebecca Colton Episode: "Mother & Child Reunion"
2008 Dirt Sharlee Cates 4 episodes
The Middleman Eleanor Draper Episode: "The Ectoplasmic Panhellenic Investigation"
Raising the Bar Elise Denton Episode: "Hang Time"
The Mentalist Clara Tennant Episode: "Seeing Red"
2008–2010 Ben 10: Alien Force Voices: Gwen Tennyson / Carol Smith / Cicely / Girl / Mother / Mr. Smooty Employee 45 episodes [17]
2009 Dollhouse Wendy / Caroline / Hayden Leeds 2 episodes
Cold Case Grace Stearns in 1966 Episode: "The Crossing"
2010 Funny or Die Presents... Girlfriend Episode: "1.1"
Lie to Me Valerie Episode: "Beat the Devil"
Christmas Cupid Jenny Television film
2010–2018 Drunk History Elizabeth Hamilton / Elizabeth Cherry / Sara Northrup 3 episodes
2010–2012 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien Voices: Gwen Tennyson / Diamondhead / Clockwork / Humungousaur / Upchuck / Rath / Sunny / Mrs. Rozum / Pierce's girlfriend / Teen girl / Fan 52 episodes [17]
2011 In Plain Sight Sarah Collins / Sarah Peterschwim Episode: "Something A-mish"
2011–2013 Pound Puppies Voices: Toyoshiko / Gina / Amelia / Giblet 4 episodes
2011–2012 The Killing Amber Ahmed 7 episodes
2012 Private Practice Kelly Episode: "The Time Has Come"
Drop Dead Diva Veronica Kramer Episode: "Road Trip"
2012–2014 Ben 10: Omniverse Voices: Gwen Tennyson / Future Gwen / Gwen 10 / XLR8 / Wildvine / Margie / Student 2 / Woman 21 episodes [17]
2013–2019 Teen Titans Go! Terra (voice) 7 episodes [17]
2013 Masters of Sex Flora Banks Episode: "Fallout"
2014 Garfunkel & Oates Jane Episode: "Speechless"
2015 Stalker Stephanie Episode: "My Hero"
Naruto: Shippuden Shiseru (voice) 6 episodes; English dub [18]
2015–2017 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Renet (voice) 6 episodes [17]
2015–2020 Blindspot Patterson Main role
2016; 2019–2020 Infinity Train Voices: Tulip Olsen / Steward / Lake [19]
2020 The Cherry Float Girlz Jasmine Wilson

Video games
Year Title Voice role Notes
2005 Teen Titans Terra [17]
2008 Ben 10: Alien Force Gwen Tennyson [17]
2009 Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks Gwen Tennyson [17]
FusionFall Gwen Tennyson
2010 Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex Gwen Tennyson
Ben 10 Ultimate Alien: Cosmic Destruction Gwen Tennyson
2011 Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion Gwen Tennyson
2013 The Last of Us Ellie VGX Award for Best Voice Actress
2013 & 2014 BAFTA Games Award for Best Performer (The Last of Us) & (The Last of Us: Left Behind downloadable content)[17][20]
2014 Infamous First Light Jenny [17]
2015 Lego Dimensions Terra Uncredited
Marvel Heroes Spider-Gwen [21]
Tales from the Borderlands Gortys / Hyperion / System Voice "Hyperion System Voice" credited as Additional Voices
Skylanders: SuperChargers Gadfly Glades Collector [22]
2015–2017 Minecraft: Story Mode Petra [17]
2016 Lego Marvel's Avengers Beth the Waitress [23]
The Witness [24]
2018 Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Narrator / Pike Trickfoot / Ydwin [25][26]
2020 The Last of Us Part II Ellie

Web series
Year Title Role Notes
2013–2015 Tabletop Herself Season 1, episode 17; season 3, episode 8
2014 Spooked Morgan 4 episodes
2015–present Critical Role Pike Trickfoot (campaign 1), Yasha Nydoorin (campaign 2) RPG web series, cast member[27][28]
2016 Force Grey: Giant Hunters Dagny Halvor

References
  1. "Behind The Voice Actors – Ashley Johnson". Behind The Voice Actors.
  2. "Behind The Voice Actors – Ashley Johnson". Behind The Voice Actors.
  3. Cf. among others the death announcement for Ingvald Taft in Nordisk Tidende December 26, 1957, in which one of his grandsons, Cliff Johnson, was mentioned, as well as Nordisk Tidende December 11, 1941 (marriage of Cliff's parents Reuben Johnson and Evelyn Taft) and Nordisk Tidende January 5, 1950 (which among others tells that Ingvald Taft originally came from Arendal, Norway, while his late wife (Victoria Kristensen), came from Vanse outside Farsund, Norway). See also Victoria's christening in Vest-Agder county, Vanse in Vanse, Parish register (official) no. A 12 (1879–1903), Born and baptised 1887, Page 84, no. 20, cf. Victoria's petition for naturalization of September 22, 1922, Ancestry.com. New York, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1794–1940.
  4. "The Avengers deleted scene sees Captain America as a man out of time". Flickeringmyth.com. August 30, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  5. "Former 'Growing Pains' child star has small-but-important 'Avengers' role". Movies.yahoo.com. May 4, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  6. Hussain, Tamoor (June 5, 2013). "The Last of Us review round-up: 'Easily Naughty Dog's finest moment'". Computer and Video Games. Future plc. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  7. Harradence, Michael (March 13, 2015). "The Last of Us voice actress Ashley Johnson's BAFTA speech in full". Psu.com. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  8. "Alhambra: Ashley Johnson, Shane Nickerson, and Dodger Leigh Join Wil on TableTop, episode 17". Geek and Sundry. January 3, 2013.
  9. "TableTop: Dead of Winter". Geek and Sundry. February 19, 2015.
  10. Salud, April (May 22, 2015). "Critical Role: Episode 11 – The Temple Showdown". Geek & Sundry. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  11. Petski, Denise (March 10, 2015). "Rachel DiPillo To Star In NBC Pilot 'Cuckoo'; Ashley Johnson Joins 'Blindspot'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  12. "Brianwfoster". Instagram. October 22, 2015.
  13. "Ashley Johnson Puts Up A Valentine Picture On Instagram; A Perfect Dating Affair With Boyfriend After All?". Liverampup.com. 2017.
  14. Jonny Lang: No looking back for blues guitarist
  15. Local actress has far outgrown her 'Growing Pains' start
  16. Jonny Lang: Finding Peace in Amazing Grace
  17. "Ashley Johnson – 52 Character Images". Behind The Voice Actors.
  18. ""Naruto Shippuden Set 23": The Allure of Power". ToonZone.com. January 19, 2016. Archived from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  19. "Infinity Train – Minisode – Cartoon Network". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  20. "2015 Games Performer – BAFTA Awards". Awards.bafta.org. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  21. @MarvelHeroes (October 13, 2015). "You know who really get the roles she voices? @MarvelHeroes' voice of Spider-Gwen, @TheVulcanSalute" (Tweet). Retrieved June 28, 2017 – via Twitter.
  22. Vicarious Visions. Skylanders: SuperChargers. Activision. Scene: Closing credits, 7:13 in, Voice Actors.
  23. "Four Reasons Lego Marvel's Avengers Might Be The Best Lego Game Yet". Game Informer.
  24. Blow, Jonathan (January 14, 2016). "Meet the Voice Actors of The Witness". PlayStation Blog. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  25. "Obsidian #Deadfire on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  26. Sawyer, Josh (May 8, 2018), Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, Ashley Johnson, Laura Bailey, Liam O'Brien, retrieved June 11, 2018
  27. Knox, Kelly (January 16, 2018). "Your First Look at the Official Art for the Second Critical Role Campaign". Geek & Sundry. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  28. "Check Out Matt Mercer's New D&D Show | Force Grey: Giant Hunters". Geek and Sundry. July 11, 2016. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.


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