Faculty members and students are remembering former LSC-Kingwood professor Gary Johnson, whose life as an undercover fake hit man inspired a recent Netflix movie.
The movie “Hit Man,” starring Glen Powell, is loosely based on the story of Johnson, a former psychology professor at LSC-Kingwood.
Many people didn’t know Johnson also worked undercover for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office as a fake contract killer. He was responsible for assisting in several high-profile cases during his time undercover.
Stacy Walker is a former colleague who worked with Professor Johnson at LSC-Kingwood.
“He was easygoing, self-assured, approachable, and excellent at his craft. Students loved him! Any class that he was given, filled and students remained and did not drop or withdraw. He was helpful, interesting, and incredibly easy to work with.”
“Professor Johnson knew the subject well and I always found his class to be interesting and always looked forward to it,” said former student, Mary Lawrence. “We knew that he worked in police work for HPD and possibly the HCSO. He frequently alluded to his police work in discussions. However, he never even hinted at being a hit man.”
LSC-Kingwood History Professor Steve Davis also worked with Johnson.
“I knew Gary very well and knew immediately he was the inspiration when I heard about the movie. And then in the film, they use his actual name though many of the other details of his story were changed.”
Johnson passed away in 2022, before the film was made. But it’s clear his legacy lives on.
“It has been several years ago since I was in his class and even though I had several good professors when I was there, he will always stand out to me as the best I had,” Lawrence shared.
"It was an honor to work with Gary,” Walker said. “I feel privileged to have known him. When I was Department Chair, we spoke often, and it was always a pleasure. He is missed. "
The film, “Hit Man,” stars Gary Powell and Adria Arjona and is streaming on Netflix.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D. serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area. LSC has been named a 2023 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit Lonestar.edu.
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