BoxerActorAmericanSuicide

Johnny Indrisano

Johnny Indrisano was an American professional welterweight boxer who transitioned into the entertainment industry as a film and television stunt performer, actor, and referee.

1. Life

Johnny Indrisano's life encompassed a career in professional boxing followed by a significant presence in the film and television industry.

1.1. Birth and Childhood

Johnny Indrisano was born on November 1, 1905, in Boston, Massachusetts. Details about his specific childhood and family background beyond his birthplace are not extensively documented in available records.

1.2. Boxing Career

Indrisano embarked on his professional boxing career in 1923, competing as a welterweight. Over his career, which spanned until 1934, he notably defeated two world welterweight champions: Lou Brouillard (winning two out of three bouts against him) and Jackie Fields. Despite these significant victories against prominent figures in the sport, Indrisano never received an opportunity to compete for the world welterweight title. He concluded his boxing career with a professional record of thirty-seven wins, including two victories by knockout, and nine defeats.

1.3. Personal Life

In the early 1930s, Johnny Indrisano married Mary Vardaro. Together, they had a daughter named Kathleen. The couple later divorced in the 1940s. His personal life was marked by a long struggle with depression in his later years.

1.4. Death

Johnny Indrisano died by suicide on July 6, 1968, at the age of 62. He committed suicide by hanging at his home in the Mount Olympus section of Los Angeles, California. Tragically, his death occurred on his daughter Kathleen's birthday, following a prolonged period of depression.

2. Major Activities and Achievements

After concluding his boxing career, Johnny Indrisano successfully transitioned into the entertainment industry, where he became known for his diverse roles as a referee, stunt performer, and actor.

2.1. Entertainment Career

Following his retirement from professional boxing in 1934, Indrisano began a new career path in the film industry. He initially took on roles as a boxing referee and quickly expanded into work as a stunt man and actor. This career shift marked a significant change in his professional life, allowing him to leverage his physical prowess and on-screen presence.

2.2. Acting and Stunt Performance Activities

Indrisano appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his entertainment career. His film credits include notable productions such as Some Like It Hot (1959) and Guys and Dolls (1955). He was also featured in several films from The Bowery Boys series, including Live Wires (1946), Mr. Hex (1946), and Trouble Makers (1948). Additionally, he appeared in a number of Joe Palooka movies and three films starring Elvis Presley: Jailhouse Rock (1957), King Creole (1958), and It Happened at the World's Fair (1963).

Beyond acting, Indrisano was actively involved in stunt work. He was credited with fight sequence choreography for the 1949 film The Set-Up. His physical capabilities also led him to work as a bodyguard for the iconic actress Mae West from as early as 1937 through 1942. On television, he made appearances in various series, including a 1964 episode of the situation comedy The New Phil Silvers Show, an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents in 1961, and an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour in 1965.

3. Filmography

Johnny Indrisano's film and television appearances include:

  • Go West, Young Man (1936) as Chauffeur
  • The Star Maker (1939)
  • What a Woman! (1943) as Gymnast (uncredited)
  • Phantom (1943)
  • Live Wires (1946) as Second Bouncer
  • Mr. Hex (1946) as Referee Joe McGowan
  • It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Man in Fantasy (uncredited)
  • Criminal Court (1946)
  • Body and Soul (1947)
  • Christmas Eve (1947)
  • Trouble Makers (1948) as Lefty
  • Force of Evil (1948)
  • The Lady Gambles (1949) as Bert
  • The Set-Up (1949) as Corner Man (uncredited)
  • The Yellow Cab Man (1950) as Danny
  • The Lemon Drop Kid (1951)
  • Iron Man (1951)
  • Callaway Went Thataway (1951) as Johnny Terrento
  • Meet Danny Wilson (1952)
  • The Caddy (1953)
  • Here Come the Girls (1953)
  • Emergency Landing (1954)
  • It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
  • Guys and Dolls (1955) as Liverlips Louie (uncredited)
  • Jailhouse Rock (1957) as Convict (uncredited)
  • King Creole (1958) as Collector (uncredited)
  • Hot Spell (1958)
  • The Donna Reed Show (1958)
  • Some Like It Hot (1959) as Waiter (uncredited)
  • Pillow Talk (1959) as Truck Driver
  • Ocean's Eleven (1960) as Texan (uncredited)
  • Bells Are Ringing (1960)
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1961) (Season 6 Episode 20: "The Throwback") as Joseph the Manservant
  • Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) as Inmate (uncredited)
  • The Manchurian Candidate (1962) as Reporter (uncredited)
  • Who's Got the Action? (1962) as Hood
  • It Happened at the World's Fair (1963) as Poker Player (uncredited)
  • Hud (1963) as Waiter (uncredited)
  • Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963)
  • The New Phil Silvers Show (1964) (TV series) (Season 1 Episode 14: "Stop the Factory, I Wanna Get Off") as Ralph
  • The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1965) (Season 3 Episode 19: "Wally the Beard") as Bartender
  • Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1968)