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Bill Johnson

Bill Johnson is an American actor whose work crosses film, video games and local theater. Born in Austin on December 16, 1951, he is most closely associated with one of horror cinema’s most fiercely debated sequels: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Johnson was chosen to play Leatherface in the film, joining the small group of actors who have portrayed the character. The sequel took a markedly different route from its predecessor, leaning much more heavily into gore and black comedy. That approach contributed to negative reviews from critics, but the film later found a devoted audience and became a cult classic. For Johnson, the role brought lasting notoriety and secured his place in the history of a character that has passed between multiple performers. His genre work also extended beyond the screen. Johnson voiced the Guardian, the final antagonist of the Ultima role-playing game series. He appeared as the character across five games: Ultima VII: The Black Gate, Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds, Ultima VII Part II: Serpent Isle, Ultima VIII: Pagan and Ultima IX: Ascension. It is a substantial run within one series, giving Johnson a recurring role in a different kind of long-form storytelling. Alongside his film and voice work, Johnson has continued to enjoy acting in local theaters. He is also associated with work as a parson, adding another dimension to a career that does not sit neatly within a single branch of performance. Yet for movie audiences, his turn as Leatherface remains the defining connection: a performance at the center of a sequel whose mix of horror, gore and dark humor has earned it a lasting cult reputation.