The famous sitcom The Neighborhood paid tribute to its late member, Wendell Johnson, at the end of the season 6 premiere on February 12, 2024.
Johnson was the production designer who worked in 33 episodes of The Neighborhood, starting from season 2 until season 5.
Highlights
- The production designer Wendell Johnson left the world on October 18, 2023, at 63.
- Wendell Johnson worked as a production designer at CBS for over 33 years.
- In 1997, he was nominated for the Excellence in Production Design Award for his work on the TV series Frasier.
Unfortunately, he tragically passed away on October 18, 2023. However, the reason has not yet been disclosed.
His long-term friend Amy Winslow organized the GoFundMe fundraiser campaign for Johnson’s wife, Cynthia Johnson.
Production Designer Wendell Johnson Was 63 Years Old
The production designer and art director Wendell Johnson was born in 1960 in Los Angeles.
After graduating with a BS in Illustration in 1986, he started his first job as a page at Paramount Studios.
There, he found his interest in the art department, combining his love for movies with his talent for drawing and designing.
Johnson worked as a volunteer for the campaign Habitat for Humanity for 2 months in 2003 in Los Angeles.
Insights On Wendell Johnson’s Professional Career And Achievements
Wendell Johnson began his career at CBS in June 1992 as a production designer, significantly contributing to “The Neighborhood.”
His talents extended to iconic sitcoms like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” where he worked as a visual designer on the opening sequence at the invitation of associate producer Maria Lopez.
Earlier in his career, Johnson served as a production assistant on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” in 1989.
Over the years, he rose up in the industry, transitioning from production assistant to set designer and eventually to production designer at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
And…'suddenly'😪💔
— cheri maday (@resilient333) November 22, 2023
*Wendell Johnson-CA
*Accomplished career Hollywood-Paramount Studios
*…quickly rose through ranks from production assist to set designer to production designer.
*Oct 18, 2023
*Wendell died suddenly
*No Cause…https://t.co/l7x3hrmWWK pic.twitter.com/iVHwySknfT
From 2002 to 2003, Johnson was the production designer for the TV series Andy Richter Controls the Universe.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he held roles as a production designer across various networks, including NBC, TVland, ABC, WB, CMT, CBS, and TBS from 1984 to 2004.
Talking about his achievements, he was nominated for the Excellence in Production Design Award for his work on the YTV series Frasier in 1997.
More recently, he received nominations for the Excellence in Production Design Award in 2021 for “The Neighborhood” and for the Set Decorators Society of America Award in 2022.
Wendell Johnson’s career in Hollywood left an indelible mark, showcasing his talent and dedication as a production designer across various acclaimed television series.
Additional Information
- Wendell Johnson had two children, Makenna and Brooks, with his wife, Cynthia Johnson.
- His website shares numerous projects he worked on as a production designer, including Mulaney, Growing Up Wayans, Survivor, Kevin Can Wait, and The Carmichael Show.
- In 2023, he was nominated for the Excellence in Production Design award for the episode Welcome to the Feud of The Neighborhood sitcom.
