Georgann Johnson obit

Decorah native, renowned stage and screen actor Georgann Johnson Prager Tenner dies, at 91

 

She was not on the list.

Georgann Johnson Prager Tenner, who, when she received the Distinguished Service Award from Luther College in 1970, was referred to as “Luther’s first lady of stage, screen, and television”, has died in Los Angeles, Calif. June 4, 2018, at the age of 91.

Georgann, or Jo as she was known growing up, was born Aug. 15, 1926, in Decorah, Iowa to George Johnson, owner of Peter Johnson and Son Plumbing and Heating on Washington Street, and Helene Hjerleid Johnson, and was younger sister to Decorah’s own Phyllis Leseth. She graduated from Decorah High School, received her BA from Luther College, Class of ’48, and her Masters in Oratory from Northwestern University. She moved to New York City in 1950.

Georgann liked to say her only non-acting job was the two weeks she spent selling gloves at Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue. She quickly began appearing in roles on television including “Life Sentence” opposite James Dean (1953), and “Bang the Drum Slowly” (1956) with Paul Newman, as well as playing Tony Randall's wife in the comedy series “Mr. Peepers” (1952-1955). In 1953, Johnson was cast with her future husband actor Stanley Prager in the Broadway revival of “Room Service” starring Jack Lemon. They married in 1956 while Prager was starring as Prez in the original production of “The Pajama Game.”

In the 1960s, Johnson performed both on Broadway, starring opposite Henry Fonda in “Critic's Choice,” and in television, including episodes of “Dr. Kildare,” “The Doctors,” and “The Fugitive,” among others. The 1970s saw her add soap operas to her resume, with long running roles on both “Another World/Somerset” as Ellen Grant and “As the World Turns” as Jane Spencer.

Throughout the next 35 years, Johnson continued to work constantly, with recurring roles on such television shows as “All My Children,” “Our Family Honor,” “Wiseguy” to name just a few. She played the mother of actress Sharon Gless in “The Trials of Rosie O'Neill” and Jane Seymour in “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”. Guest appearances include “Seinfeld,” “Thirtysomething,” “St. Elsewhere,” and many more. In film, Johnson was directed by, among others, Hal Ashby, Robert Altman and Martin Ritt.

Some years after Prager’s death in 1972, Johnson relocated to Los Angeles and, in 1981, married the Honorable Jack Tenner, a Superior Court Judge and civil rights activist. She said some of her happiest times as an actor were the improvisations she and her husband did at various political events to raise money. They remained married until his death in 2008.

Georgann’s love for Decorah was deep. Throughout her entire life she returned often to visit family, accept awards and introduce her children and husbands to the place she always loved best.

She is survived by her four daughters: Carol Prager, Annie Prager, Sally Seymour and Molly Boyll; three grandchildren: Hannah, Gabriel and Caroline; and two nieces, Cam Forde and Adrienne Coffeen, both of Decorah. She will be missed.

 

Actress (118 credits)

 2007 Cold Case (TV Series)

Sister Margaret - 2007

- The Good-Bye Room (2007) ... Sister Margaret - 2007

 2005 Ghost Whisperer (TV Series)

Angela Farrell

- On the Wings of a Dove (2005) ... Angela Farrell

 2002 Crossing Jordan (TV Series)

Jordan's Grandmother

- Payback (2002) ... Jordan's Grandmother

- Acts of Mercy (2002) ... Jordan's Grandmother

 2002 The Division (TV Series)

Elaine King

- Brave New World (2002) ... Elaine King

 2001 JAG (TV Series)

Mrs. Peterson

- New Gun in Town (2001) ... Mrs. Peterson

 2001 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within (TV Movie)

Elizabeth Ann Weston Quinn

 2001 Kate Brasher (TV Series)

Jeff's Mother

- Jeff (2001) ... Jeff's Mother

 2001 The Deep End

50ish Woman (uncredited)

 1999 Seven Girlfriends

Anabeth's Mother

 1998 Promised Land (TV Series)

Cecil Beaudry

- Restoration (1998) ... Cecil Beaudry

 1998 Brooklyn South (TV Series)

Ruth Williams

- Cinnamon Buns (1998) ... Ruth Williams

 1993-1997 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (TV Series)

Elizabeth Quinn

- A Time to Heal: Part 2 (1997) ... Elizabeth Quinn

- A Time to Heal: Part 1 (1997) ... Elizabeth Quinn

- When a Child Is Born: Part 2 (1996) ... Elizabeth Quinn

- When a Child Is Born: Part 1 (1996) ... Elizabeth Quinn

- For Better or Worse: Part 2 (1995) ... Elizabeth Quinn

1997 Total Security (TV Series)

- One Wedding and a Funeral (1997)

 1996 Twilight Man (TV Movie)

Mrs. Barns

 1996 An Unfinished Affair (TV Movie)

Mimi

 1996 A Case for Life (TV Movie)

Marian Cromwell

 1996 Woman Undone (TV Movie)

Enid

 1995 Coach (TV Series)

Mildred

- Fool for Lunch (1995) ... Mildred

 1995 Deadly Games (TV Series)

Mrs. Helstrom

- Killshot (1995) ... Mrs. Helstrom

 1995 Seinfeld (TV Series)

Mrs. Stevenson

- The Beard (1995) ... Mrs. Stevenson

 1993 Father Hood

Judge

 1993 Sisters (TV Series)

Mrs. Teller

- Moving Pictures (1993) ... Mrs. Teller

 1992 Fatal Memories (TV Movie)

Dr. Terr

 1992 Lady Boss (TV Series)

Olive Sertner

 1992 A House of Secrets and Lies (TV Movie)

Anita Cooper

 1990-1992 The Trials of Rosie O'Neill (TV Series)

Charlotte O'Neill

- Role Reversal (1992) ... Charlotte O'Neill

- Double Bind (1992) ... Charlotte O'Neill

- Sweet Sixteen (1992) ... Charlotte O'Neill

- Heartbreak Hotel (1992) ... Charlotte O'Neill

- The Other Woman (1992) ... Charlotte O'Neill

1991 Civil Wars (TV Series)

Helen Walworth

- Have Gun, Will Unravel (1991) ... Helen Walworth

 1991 CBS Schoolbreak Special (TV Series short)

Evelyn Somerville

- Dedicated to the One I Love (1991) ... Evelyn Somerville

 1990 Tales from the Crypt (TV Series)

Miss Hagstead

- The Secret (1990) ... Miss Hagstead

 1990 Shattered Dreams (TV Movie)

Helen O'Donnell

 1990 Mancuso, FBI (TV Series)

- Daryl Ross & the Supremes (1990)

 1988-1989 Wiseguy (TV Series)

Senator Janet Getzloff

- Day Nine (1989) ... Senator Janet Getzloff

- Day Seven (1989) ... Senator Janet Getzloff

- Day Four (1989) ... Senator Janet Getzloff

- Day One (1989) ... Senator Janet Getzloff

- Date with an Angel (1988) ... Senator Janet Getzloff

 1989 Thirtysomething (TV Series)

Aileen Shepherd

- New Parents (1989) ... Aileen Shepherd

 1989 Do You Know the Muffin Man? (TV Movie)

Mavis Richardson

 1989 Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Adm. Gromek

- The Emissary (1989) ... Adm. Gromek

 1989 Nightingales (TV Series)

- Episode #1.11 (1989)

 1989 Heartbeat (TV Series)

Marilyn's friend

- Bivouac Babies (1989) ... Marilyn's friend

 1988 David (TV Movie)

Loraine

 1988 Side by Side (TV Movie)

Alice Grayson

 1985-1988 It's a Living (TV Series)

Phyllis Frankel

- Daddy's Little Girl (1988) ... Phyllis Frankel

- The Wedding Show (1985) ... Phyllis Frankel

 1987 St. Elsewhere (TV Series)

Dorothy O'Shea

- Handoff (1987) ... Dorothy O'Shea

 1987 Buck James (TV Series)

- Sins of the Father (1987)

 1987 Blind Date

Mrs. Gruen

 1986-1987 The Colbys (TV Series)

Dr. Waverly

- Return Engagement (1987) ... Dr. Waverly

- Sanctuary (1986) ... Dr. Waverly

- Bloodlines (1986) ... Dr. Waverly

- The Gathering Storm (1986) ... Dr. Waverly

- Checkmate (1986) ... Dr. Waverly

 1987 Heart of the City (TV Series)

Carole

- Out on a Limb (1987) ... Carole

 1986 Kate's Secret (TV Movie)

Faith

 1986 Scarecrow and Mrs. King (TV Series)

R.D. Frampton

- Photo Finish (1986) ... R.D. Frampton

 1986 Hardcastle and McCormick (TV Series)

Kate Bell

- The Day the Music Died (1986) ... Kate Bell

 1986 Stingray (TV Series)

Nancy Galloway

- Ancient Eyes (1986) ... Nancy Galloway

 1986 Quicksilver

Mrs. Casey

 1985-1986 Our Family Honor (TV Series)

Katherine McKay

- Crimes of Passion: Part 2 (1986) ... Katherine McKay

- Crimes of Passion: Part 1 (1985) ... Katherine McKay

- End of the Line (1985) ... Katherine McKay

- Lone Justice (1985) ... Katherine McKay

- Mark of Cain (1985) ... Katherine McKay

1985 Murphy's Romance

Margaret

 1985 Too Close for Comfort (TV Series)

Linda

- Terms of Endangerment (1985) ... Linda

 1985 The Slugger's Wife

Marie De Vito

 1984 Silver Spoons (TV Series)

Marjorie Summers

- Hi, Mom (1984) ... Marjorie Summers

 1983 Cutter to Houston (TV Series)

Dorothy Jarvis

- Race for Life (1983) ... Dorothy Jarvis

 1979-1983 Hart to Hart (TV Series)

Jeannie / Mrs. Capello

- Highland Fling (1983) ... Jeannie

- A New Kind of High (1979) ... Mrs. Capello

 1983 The Day After (TV Movie)

Helen Oakes

 1983 Sutters Bay (TV Movie)

 1983 The Jeffersons (TV Series)

Camille Hendricks

- Designing Woman (1983) ... Camille Hendricks

 1983 Mama's Family (TV Series)

Bunny Van Courtland

- Family Feud (1983) ... Bunny Van Courtland

 1981-1982 Archie Bunker's Place (TV Series)

Alice Snowden

- Marriage on the Rocks (1982) ... Alice Snowden

- Harry's Investment (1981) ... Alice Snowden

 1982 Three's Company (TV Series)

Mrs. Tripper

- Extra, Extra (1982) ... Mrs. Tripper

 1982 Code Red (TV Series)

Carla

- No Escape (1982) ... Carla

 1982 Quincy M.E. (TV Series)

Nurse Lynn Buchanan

- The Flight of the Nightingale (1982) ... Nurse Lynn Buchanan

 1982 Shoot the Moon

Isabel

 1981 Living in Paradise (TV Movie)

Winnie Coogan

 1981 Lou Grant (TV Series)

Carol Kuzik

- Hometown (1981) ... Carol Kuzik

 1981 Looker

Cindy's Mother

 1980 HealtH

Lily Bell

 1980 Knots Landing (TV Series)

Dr. Louise Bender

- Small Surprises (1980) ... Dr. Louise Bender

 1979 Dallas (TV Series)

Doctor

- The Silent Killer (1979) ... Doctor

 1978 As the World Turns (TV Series)

Jane Spencer

- Episode dated 19 September 1978 (1978) ... Jane Spencer (credit only)

 1970-1976 Somerset (TV Series)

Ellen Grant (1970-1976)(original cast) / Ellen Grant

- Episode #1.1709 (1976) ... Ellen Grant (1970-1976)(original cast)

- Episode #1.1708 (1976) ... Ellen Grant (1970-1976)(original cast)

- Episode #1.1707 (1976) ... Ellen Grant (1970-1976)(original cast)

- Episode #1.1705 (1976) ... Ellen Grant (1970-1976)(original cast)

- Episode #1.1706 (1976) ... Ellen Grant (1970-1976)(original cast)

1976 The Front

T.V. Interviewer

 1970-1976 Another World (TV Series)

Ellen Grant

- Episode #1.3061 (1976) ... Ellen Grant

- Episode #1.1458 (1970) ... Ellen Grant

 1973 From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Mrs. Kincaid

 1970 All My Children (TV Series)

Eugenia Robards #1 (1981)

 1969 Midnight Cowboy

Rich Lady - New York

 1965-1967 The Fugitive (TV Series)

Laura Craig / Lois Carter

- Run the Man Down (1967) ... Laura Craig

- When the Wind Blows (1965) ... Lois Carter

 1964 Slattery's People (TV Series)

Laura Tamiris

- Question: Is Laura the Name of the Game? (1964) ... Laura Tamiris

 1962-1964 Dr. Kildare (TV Series)

Andrea Gaer / Debby Lawton

- Man Is a Rock (1964) ... Andrea Gaer

- Guest Appearance (1962) ... Debby Lawton

 1964 The Doctors and the Nurses (TV Series)

Carrie Hayes

- The Warrior (1964) ... Carrie Hayes

 1964 The Defenders (TV Series)

Phyllis Orren

- The Secret (1964) ... Phyllis Orren

 1963 The Doctors (TV Series)

Edith Cobb

- Pride and Mrs. Cobb: Part 5 (1963) ... Edith Cobb

- Pride and Mrs. Cobb: Part 4 (1963) ... Edith Cobb

- Pride and Mrs. Cobb: Part 3 (1963) ... Edith Cobb

- Pride and Mrs. Cobb: Part 2 (1963) ... Edith Cobb

- Pride and Mrs. Cobb (1963) ... Edith Cobb

 1962 Kings of Broadway (TV Movie)

 1960 One Step Beyond (TV Series)

Kate Maxwell

- Rendezvous (1960) ... Kate Maxwell

 1959 Alcoa Theatre (TV Series)

Ellen Monroe

- Christabel (1959) ... Ellen Monroe

 1959 Goodyear Theatre (TV Series)

Ellen Monroe

- Cristabel (The Secret Life of John Monroe) (1959) ... Ellen Monroe

 1959 The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen (TV Series)

- Shadow of the Past (1959)

 1958 The Investigator (TV Series)

- Episode #1.6 (1958)

 1958 True Story (TV Series)

Ann Saunders

- Episode dated 17 May 1958 (1958) ... Ann Saunders

 1958 Suspicion (TV Series)

- The Hollow Man (1958)

 1956-1957 Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series)

Doreen Selvy / Beryl Abbott / Rosine Dalliford

- Night of the Execution (1957) ... Doreen Selvy

- One for the Road (1957) ... Beryl Abbott

- Jonathan (1956) ... Rosine Dalliford

 1957 Short Cut to Hell

Glory Hamilton

 1953-1957 Kraft Theatre (TV Series)

- Man of Prey (1957)

- Shadow of Evil (1956)

- Impasse (1955)

- Star Bright (1953)

 1957 The Millionaire (TV Series)

Myra

- Millionaire Jerry Bell (1957) ... Myra

 1956 The United States Steel Hour (TV Series)

Holly

- Bang the Drum Slowly (1956) ... Holly

 1956 Sunday Spectacular: The Bachelor (TV Movie)

Francesca

 1956 Climax! (TV Series)

Julie Bellamy

- Figures in Clay (1956) ... Julie Bellamy

 1956 Playwrights '56 (TV Series)

Phyllis Bender

- You Sometimes Get Rich (1956) ... Phyllis Bender

 1955-1956 Star Stage (TV Series)

- A Place to Be Alone (1956) ... (as Georgianne Johnson)

- The Recluse (1955)

 1955-1956 Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series)

Mrs. Nelson

- A Baby Named X (1956) ... Mrs. Nelson

- Ladders of Lies (1955)

 1955 Justice (TV Series)

- Decision by Panic (1955)

 1953-1955 Studio One (TV Series)

Laura Dowd / Nancy / Carol

- A Chance at Love (1955) ... Laura Dowd

- The Broken Spur (1955) ... Nancy

- A Favor for a Friend (1954) ... Carol

- The Storm (1953)

- The Shadow of a Man (1953)

 1955 Appointment with Adventure (TV Series)

- Crash Landing (1955)

 1952-1955 Mister Peepers (TV Series)

Marge Weskit / Marge Bellows

- Episode #4.24 (1955) ... Marge Weskit

- Episode #4.19 (1955) ... Marge Weskit

- Episode #4.18 (1955) ... Marge Weskit

- The Rumor (1954) ... Marge Weskit

- Episode #4.5 (1954) ... Marge Weskit

1953-1954 The Web (TV Series)

- Matter of Degree (1954)

- The Lake (1953)

 1953-1954 Campbell Summer Soundstage (TV Series)

- The Green Convertible (1954)

- Life Sentence (1953)

 1952-1954 Danger (TV Series)

- Sudden Shock (1954)

- Help Wanted (1953)

- Windy (1953)

- Squeeze Play (1953)

- The Fix (1952)

 1953 The Larry Storch Show (TV Series)

 1953 The Revlon Mirror Theater (TV Series)

- The Little Wife (1953)

 1953 Lux Video Theatre (TV Series)

Maggie

- The White Gown (1953) ... Maggie

 1953 Captain Video and His Video Rangers (TV Series)

Princess Arura

- Spartak Returns (1953) ... Princess Arura

 1952 Tales of Tomorrow (TV Series)

- The Machine (1952)

 1952 The Philco Television Playhouse (TV Series)

- The Gift (1952) ... (as Georgianne Johnson)

 1952 The Adventures of Ellery Queen (TV Series)

- Record in the Mail (1952)

 1952 Goodyear Playhouse (TV Series)

- The Lantern Copy (1952)