Samuel Johnson reveals his life a year on.
THE FORMER ACTOR IS WEIGHING UP A RETURN TO SHOWBIZ
Samuel Johnson quit acting to fight cancer. Now, a year after his sister Connie Johnson’s death from breast cancer, he’s considering a return to showbiz.
The Gold Logie winner vowed to put his career on hold until the charity he co-founded with Connie, Love Your Sister, raised $10 million. With that target now in sight, a move back to acting for Samuel could soon be on the cards.
‘If something popped up and it was interesting, and the charity stood to benefit from it, then of course I’d do it,’ Samuel, 40, tells New Idea. ‘I don’t think I’d be doing it before we reach $10 million. And that’s at least a year or two away.’
Samuel concedes that since his Logie-winning role as Molly Meldrum in the 2016 miniseries, Molly he’s had no offers for acting roles. However, he reveals he has been asked more than once to be part of a reality TV program. And he keeps refusing.
‘I say no to I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here every year,’ Samuel says. ‘I’ve put myself in enough uncomfortable positions to give myself a pass on that one.’
For the moment, Samuel is simply concentrating on commemorating his sister. September 8 marks a year since Connie’s death. She was just 11 years old when her lifelong battle with cancer began.
Before she passed away aged 33, Connie was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her work in helping raise money for her charity.
This year, Love Your Sister is releasing Connie Johnson Forever paper roses as a way of honouring Connie and all those who have been affected by cancer.
‘It’s to commemorate not only Connie’s passing but for all of our cancer-affected loved ones,’ Samuel says.
‘I’ll spend the whole anniversary drowning in paper roses, which is lovely.’
On the anniversary of Connie’s death, Samuel is also keen to spend quality time with Connie’s sons Willoughby and Hamilton, who will understandably be feeling very emotional right now.
‘They miss their mum incredibly but they’re enjoying life without the terrors of cancer as well,’ Samuel says. ‘So, there is a silver lining there.’