Born in Sweden in October 1903, Tor Johnson began his studio wrestling career in the 1940s as "The Swedish Angel," after doing many bit parts and uncredited appearances in films in the 1930s. By virtue of his rather frightening face and enormous 300+ pound frame, he gained a sort of notoriety in 1950s horror and science fiction movies, especially the films of Ed Wood. Strangely enough, Johnson had a longer and more successful career in Hollywood than most of Wood's other regulars, making many films and a number of appearances on TV in the 1950s and 1960s before his death at the age of 67 in May 1971.