Allan Johnson, critic and writer for ‘Chicago Tribune,’ dies at 46

Allan Johnson, critic and writer for ‘Chicago Tribune,’ dies at 46

By Rick Kogan
ChicagoTribune
(January 7, 2006) The words "likable" and "generous" do not easily attach themselves to those who labor in the dog-eat-dog arenas of journalism and show business.

But as an important part of both, and of academia too, Allan Johnson embodied those adjectives with grace and style. "Tireless" too, for he spent incalculable hours in dark comedy clubs, in front of flickering TV sets and in conversation with stars.

As one of only a handful of African-Americans writing criticism for major newspapers, Mr. Johnson provided the Chicago Tribune with more than a decade's worth of reviews, interviews and stories—on a variety of subjects in addition to his TV and comedy passions—that were thoughtful, knowing and enthusiastic.

"Al was just good people. He was honest, he was fair and he knew what was funny," said Chicagoan Bernie Mac, whose career Mr. Johnson charted from local comedy clubs to television and movies.

"Allan was not only someone who liked to laugh but knew why others were laughing, distinguishing between those comedians who were genuinely funny and those who had popular TV sitcoms," said comic David Brenner. "His wisdom and words will be missed."

Mr. Johnson, 46, died late Friday, Jan. 6, in University of Chicago Hospitals of complications from a brain hemorrhage, a family spokesman said. He had collapsed after attending an event with his wife and had been hospitalized for nearly three weeks.

The news of his death devastated colleagues at the Tribune, news that was intensified by the fact that Mr. Johnson recently became a father for the second time, proudly showing off photos of his new baby girl.

"Allan was so kind and generous," said Tribune Editor Ann Marie Lipinski. "Everybody liked him. He was witty in the most gloriously droll way. And no matter how chaotic the newsroom, he was a rock-solid presence.

"As accomplished as he was professionally, what springs to my mind is how much he loved his wife," Lipinski said.

Mr. Johnson was born in Chicago. He grew up on the South Side where his first job was helping out at a roller skating rink owned by an uncle.

He attended Columbia College and began working at the Tribune in 1979, starting at the newsroom's lowest rung, as a copy clerk, and steadily advancing.

Tribune columnist Terry Armour said, "We first met in a Columbia College writing class in 1980. And we connected right away. We had big newspaper dreams and the same weird sense of humor. Allan helped me get a job as a copy boy at the paper. ... It's real hard. Losing him is like losing a big brother."

Mr. Johnson's byline first appeared in the financial section in 1987 and the next year he began the "Just for Laughs" column in the Friday section, focusing on the then-booming local comedy scene.

In the following years he would review and interview the Who's Who of American comedy, later adding television reviews and features to his duties.

"Allan was one of the most generous people I've ever met," said Kelly Leonard, vice president of The Second City. "He wanted to laugh and enjoyed those who were able to make him laugh."

Since 2003, Mr. Johnson was a staff reporter for the Tribune's Q section, bringing his expertise to such cover stories as a hilarious takeoff on "The Apprentice" and a thoughtful and amusing look at sarcasm.

"Allan was dynamic, funny and charismatic," said Geoff Brown, Tribune associate managing editor for features. "I was continually and especially gratified by his dedication to racial diversity. He went out and found people of color to write about on a regular basis. All kinds of people."

Mr. Johnson also was a frequent and lively guest on local radio and television programs.

Since 1998 he had been an adjunct professor at Columbia College. He taught a course on newspaper and broadcasting reporting and was often seen taking students on tours of the Tribune. He had recently developed and begun teaching a new course for the journalism department, one that played perfectly to his strengths. It was reporting entertainment news.

"We were so looking forward to having Allan back teaching that course. This is heartbreaking news. I cannot tell you how much all of us here respected and liked Allan," said Nancy Day, the chair of Columbia's journalism department. "He was a great teacher, a man always full of energy, of life."

Previously married and divorced, Mr. Johnson's son, Warren, 24, had been scheduled to make his debut in improvisational theater over the weekend in Columbus, Ohio.

In 1997, Mr. Johnson married Evelyn Holmes, a general assignment reporter for WLS- Ch. 7 news and previously a reporter and anchor for Tribune-owned CLTV.

The couple had met doing work for various charitable organizations and a romance blossomed.

"My life has been taken away," said Holmes. "I loved his heart, his laugh, his soul. For all the success we might have had, the high visibility, none of that mattered as much as just being together as ourselves."

Their daughter, Caitlin Josephine, was born April 18.

"He just loved her to death," said Holmes. "I hope that she will remember him. But I will put together pictures and tapes so that she can one day know this wonderful, sensitive man."

Besides his wife, son, and daughter, survivors include his parents, Ted and Cynthia Johnson; a brother, Michael; and a sister, Donna.

Services were pending late Friday.

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Wabash Ave. Suite 210 Chicago, IL 60604 t. 312-408-1881 f. 312-408-1867 info@targetmarketnews.com	Allan Johnson, critic and writer for ‘Chicago Tribune,’ dies at 46 By Rick Kogan ChicagoTribune (January 7, 2006) The words "likable" and "generous" do not easily attach themselves to those who labor in the dog-eat-dog arenas of journalism and show business. But as an important part of both, and of academia too, Allan Johnson embodied those adjectives with grace and style. "Tireless" too, for he spent incalculable hours in dark comedy clubs, in front of flickering TV sets and in conversation with stars. As one of only a handful of African-Americans writing criticism for major newspapers, Mr. Johnson provided the Chicago Tribune with more than a decade's worth of reviews, interviews and stories—on a variety of subjects in addition to his TV and comedy passions—that were thoughtful, knowing and enthusiastic. "Al was just good people. He was honest, he was fair and he knew what was funny," said Chicagoan Bernie Mac, whose career Mr. Johnson charted from local comedy clubs to television and movies. "Allan was not only someone who liked to laugh but knew why others were laughing, distinguishing between those comedians who were genuinely funny and those who had popular TV sitcoms," said comic David Brenner. "His wisdom and words will be missed." Mr. Johnson, 46, died late Friday, Jan. 6, in University of Chicago Hospitals of complications from a brain hemorrhage, a family spokesman said. He had collapsed after attending an event with his wife and had been hospitalized for nearly three weeks. The news of his death devastated colleagues at the Tribune, news that was intensified by the fact that Mr. Johnson recently became a father for the second time, proudly showing off photos of his new baby girl. "Allan was so kind and generous," said Tribune Editor Ann Marie Lipinski. "Everybody liked him. He was witty in the most gloriously droll way. And no matter how chaotic the newsroom, he was a rock-solid presence. "As accomplished as he was professionally, what springs to my mind is how much he loved his wife," Lipinski said. Mr. Johnson was born in Chicago. He grew up on the South Side where his first job was helping out at a roller skating rink owned by an uncle. He attended Columbia College and began working at the Tribune in 1979, starting at the newsroom's lowest rung, as a copy clerk, and steadily advancing. Tribune columnist Terry Armour said, "We first met in a Columbia College writing class in 1980. And we connected right away. We had big newspaper dreams and the same weird sense of humor. Allan helped me get a job as a copy boy at the paper. ... It's real hard. Losing him is like losing a big brother." Mr. Johnson's byline first appeared in the financial section in 1987 and the next year he began the "Just for Laughs" column in the Friday section, focusing on the then-booming local comedy scene. In the following years he would review and interview the Who's Who of American comedy, later adding television reviews and features to his duties. "Allan was one of the most generous people I've ever met," said Kelly Leonard, vice president of The Second City. "He wanted to laugh and enjoyed those who were able to make him laugh." Since 2003, Mr. Johnson was a staff reporter for the Tribune's Q section, bringing his expertise to such cover stories as a hilarious takeoff on "The Apprentice" and a thoughtful and amusing look at sarcasm. "Allan was dynamic, funny and charismatic," said Geoff Brown, Tribune associate managing editor for features. "I was continually and especially gratified by his dedication to racial diversity. He went out and found people of color to write about on a regular basis. All kinds of people." Mr. Johnson also was a frequent and lively guest on local radio and television programs. Since 1998 he had been an adjunct professor at Columbia College. He taught a course on newspaper and broadcasting reporting and was often seen taking students on tours of the Tribune. He had recently developed and begun teaching a new course for the journalism department, one that played perfectly to his strengths. It was reporting entertainment news. "We were so looking forward to having Allan back teaching that course. This is heartbreaking news. I cannot tell you how much all of us here respected and liked Allan," said Nancy Day, the chair of Columbia's journalism department. "He was a great teacher, a man always full of energy, of life." Previously married and divorced, Mr. Johnson's son, Warren, 24, had been scheduled to make his debut in improvisational theater over the weekend in Columbus, Ohio. In 1997, Mr. Johnson married Evelyn Holmes, a general assignment reporter for WLS- Ch. 7 news and previously a reporter and anchor for Tribune-owned CLTV. The couple had met doing work for various charitable organizations and a romance blossomed. "My life has been taken away," said Holmes. "I loved his heart, his laugh, his soul. For all the success we might have had, the high visibility, none of that mattered as much as just being together as ourselves." Their daughter, Caitlin Josephine, was born April 18. "He just loved her to death," said Holmes. "I hope that she will remember him. But I will put together pictures and tapes so that she can one day know this wonderful, sensitive man." Besides his wife, son, and daughter, survivors include his parents, Ted and Cynthia Johnson; a brother, Michael; and a sister, Donna. Services were pending late Friday. Go to Target Market News homepage	NEW! Search the entire contents of the Target Market News Web site! Looking for hard-to-find information on the African-American consumer market? Now you can easily search the contents of the leading source for information on African-American marketing and media. Scan our entire Web site for news, research and information using Google-powered keyword searches. Hundreds of articles, stories and report findings can be accessed for free. Click here to try it now! _____________________________________________________________________________________ 12th Annual Edition Available Latest 'Buying Power' report shows black consumers spending more on home life As the American economy continues to move sluggishly, African-American households are curtailing their spending in many categories, including food, clothing and basic household items, while investing more in home repair, home entertainment and consumer electronics. Although they are trimming back, black consumers are still spending more than their white counterparts on most of these products. According to the newest edition of “The Buying Power of Black America” report, African-American households are tightening their belts when it comes to dining out, expanding their wardrobes, and leisure activities out of the home. At the same time, they are increasing their spending on home repairs and remodeling, audio and... Story and statistics continued _________________________ SUBSCRIBE TODAY! The trade publication for in-depth coverage of Black Consumer Marketing and Media news ORDER THE WORKBOOK NOW! The sixth annual event examining the latest trends, findings and practices in marketing to African-American consumers Presentations from: America Online Arbitron Inc. Burrell Carol H. Williams Advertising E. Morris Communications Ethnic Print Media Group GlobalHue Hunter-Miller Group Images USA Nia Online NSights Worldwide LLC On Wheels Inc. R.J. Dale Advertising & P.R. Target Market News U.S. Census Bureau ...and more!