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About Allan
Allan Benard Johnson was born December 16, 1959 to Ted and Cynthia Johnson. He grew
up on the south side of Chicago where his first job was at his uncle's skating
rink. In 1979, while attending Columbia College, Allan began working at the Chicago
Tribune as the paper's copy clerk and advanced rapidly.
Allan's first byline appeared in the financial section in 1987 and the following
year he began the "Just for Laughs" column in the FRIDAY section, which
focused on Chicago's booming local comedy scene of the day
In the years that followed, Allan reviewed and interviewed the Who's Who of
American Comedy, later adding television reviewer and features writer to his duties.
Johnson was one of a handful of African Americans writing criticisms for major newspapers.
He provided the Chicago Tribune with more than a decade of interviews, stories and
reviews on a variety of subjects as well as thoughtful, knowing and enthusiastic
television and comedy commentaries.
Allan combined academia with journalism and show business. Johnson was a frequent
and lively guest on local radio and television programs. In 1998, Allan became an
adjunct professor at Columbia College.
He taught a course in reporting for the newspapers and broadcasting and was often
seen with his students touring the Tribune. He had developed and taught a course
for the journalism department on reporting entertainment news.
Allan was the father of an adult son, Warren, from a previous marrage. Warren is
a busy actor in the improvisational theater in Chicago.
Allan was married to Evelyn Holmes, a reporter for ABC 7 and previously a reporter
and anchor for Chicago Tribune owned CLTV and on WGN radio. They met at a charitable
event and were married in 1997. Together they had a daughter, Caitlin.
Allan died January, 2006 from complications from a brain hemorrhage.
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