Brian Johnson Has Died

Special effects director Brian Johnson, best remembered from the worlds of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson for his ground-breaking special effects on Space: 1999 (1975-77), has passed away. 

Johnson's far-reaching career across television and film saw him contribute to the special effects of some of Hollywood's greatest science fiction epics, including Alien (1979), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Aliens (1986). His Hollywood career was predated by numerous contributions to the special effects departments of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's science fiction TV programmes throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

He joined A.P. Films for Supercar (1961-62) after working for Les Bowie's own special effects company as a studio assistant on various feature films, including The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961). Johnson worked under A.P. Films' special effects director Derek Meddings, the pair working closely to enhance A. P. Films' ambitious space-age visual effects in Supermarionation form, which included producing and operating models and explosions. By the time Thunderbirds (1965-66) began production, Meddings entrusted Johnson with his own unit to handle the growing technical demand of the special effects.

After falling out with Gerry, Johnson left Thunderbirds during the making of the series. He quickly returned to the film business, working on 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Moon Zero Two (1969), Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970), When Dinosaurs Ruled the World (1971), and more.

Johnson and Anderson repaired their relationship when Gerry approached Johnson to produce the special effects for Space: 1999. Now a leading special effects designer in his own right, Johnson and his team's technical and creative efforts in designing and producing Space: 1999's visual effects set an incredible standard for sci-fi TV. This included Johnson designing the Eagle Transporter, one of the most instantly recognisable vehicles in sci-fi history.

Johnson's efforts on Space: 1999 commanded the attention of George Lucas, who invited Johnson to work on Star Wars (1977). Johnson's commitments to Space: 1999 forbade this from happening, but following Space: 1999's completion, he joined Star Wars for The Empire Strikes Back. Following Space: 1999, Johnson's Hollywood career blossomed, gaining global recognition with many awards won in recognition for his ingenious special effects.

Our thoughts are with Brian Johnson's loved ones during this time.