"AND HERES JOHNNY!"
(Holiday That Is!)
by Judy Jones
I met Johnny Holiday at 'Artists With Wings', an artist
networking group I started.
"Wanna see my comedy act?"
asked Johnny walking in the room.
"Sure", I answered.
Johnny proceeds to turn on a hand held video of himself
doing his stand up comedy routine onstage.
"Wow! and you're 90 years old Johnny?" I said.
"Yup, I'm channeling George Burns!"
Johnny answered grinning.
"But Johnny, where's your cigar?" I challenged.
Johnny Holiday is a professional actor/comedian
whose act is 'timeless'. You can watch it now or
in twenty years and get the same enjoyment.
Johnny's pure class!
He goes to more auditions in one week than
most actors half his age do in a year.
What are his secrets? The following interview
with Johnny Holiday for "On The Road With Judy!"
reveals all his secrets and at 90 years of age,
Johnny has many!!
So hold on to your hat,
"HERES JOHNNY!"
(HOLIDAY THAT IS!)
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ME:
Johnny, what do you plan to be doing at 100?
JOHNNY:
My great dream is to get enough exposure
by then so a major studio will make a
documentary about me on my 100th birthday.
George Burns lived to be over 100 and
I feel his spirit in me!
ME:
Did you act when you were young?
JOHNNY:
Never. I'm 90 and when I was 85 some idiot
told me I had acting ability and I'm a greater
idiot than he was because I believed him!
After 25 years of retired life, I have more
ambition than ever. I just have to make it!
ME:
When do you plan on starring in your own
full length movie?
JOHNNY:
YESTERDAY! At my age all I get is small parts
but I am always waiting for the 'BIG ONE' to come along.
ME:
How did you earn your living before becoming
a professional actor/comic?
JOHNNY:
I was a bartender, waiter and cab driver.
ME:
How many years have you been a jogger Johnny?
JOHNNY:
Something like fifty years.
ME:
Are you married? (besides to your acting)
JOHNNY:
I've been married and divorced three times.
I wasn't made to be married and found that out
the hard way, money wise.
ME:
Would you consider a facelift? (not that you need it!)
JOHNNY:
Hell no. I call myself 'Mr. Handsome' and
try to believe it!
ME:
Does being a standup comic at 90 years of age
seem easy to you Johnny, or do you have
to really stretch yourself to keep the audience laughing?
JOHNNY:
I find it easy because I go out of my way to make
people laugh anyways.
ME:
Are you living your dreams?
JOHNNY:
I'm working on them.
ME:
If you could relive any part of your 90 years,
would you and if so, which ones and why?
JOHNNY:
None. All were learning experiences; some sad,
some otherwise. I regret nothing. Since starting on
my acting career, life is more fun for me and I
wish I had started earlier!!
ME:
Johnny, you are such an inspiration. Have
you been approached to do your own TV show?
I would watch, just to see you go thru one day
of your exciting life!
JOHNNY:
Not yet, but it's one of my dreams.
ME:
Does it bother you coming in
last in the Bay to Breakers Race?
JOHNNY:
Not at all. Its a fun day for me. I meet lots of
people and joke with them. I wouldn't miss
that race for anything!
ME:
Were your parents in 'the biz'?
JOHNNY:
Nope.
ME:
Does longevity run in your family?
JOHNNY:
Nope. Maybe I'm wrong but I attribute all my energy
in my later years to a good diet, exercise and being happy
about everything. I think a grouch cuts off some of
our life.
ME:
Your energy level is certainly that of a person
40 years younger than you. Do you have any friends your
age or can any of them keep up with you???
JOHNNY:
I have always hung out with a younger set. Whatever I do,
I'm the oldest in the group. I guess I will be the oldest
person to be interviewed in "ON THE ROAD WITH JUDY!"
ME:
How do you keep your growing fame from going to your head?
Seems everyone in San Francisco knows Johnny Holiday!
JOHNNY:
Not so, just a few know me. I'm too busy having fun to
let any silly notion go to my head.
ME:
So what does Johnny Holiday plan to be doing in 2004?
JOHNNY:
The same thing as today. Plugging along and hoping
some good show biz parts come my way.
ME:
What are the highlights of your career so far
in 2003 Johnny?
JOHNNY:
I did an indie this year, that made the Mill Valley Festival.
That was great because I had a real dramatic part.
The highlight of this year was being in 'LIFE WITH BONNIE!'
If all of the fun stuff makes it in, and doesn't end up
on the cutting floor, that will be perfect!
ME:
In your 90 years, have you seen significant changes
in opportunities for women?
JOHNNY:
One of the things that makes me happy is the growth
of opportunities for women. But there are many more to come.
ME:
I just have to ask it Johnny. Since San Francisco is the
Gay Capital of the World are you or aren't you??
JOHNNY:
I'm straight as they come. Not that there is anything wrong
with being gay. But I'm too old to find out how good
it is. Boy, oh boy, do I love women. Can't get enough!!!!
CONTACT JOHNNY HOLIDAY AT:
holiday32@ca.rr.com
(323) 969-8990 Telephone
