Biography:

Johnny Legend (born Martin Margulies; October 3, 1948 – January 2, 2026) was an American rockabilly musician, film producer, actor and wrestling manager.[1][2]

Life and career

Legend was born in San Fernando, California on October 3, 1948.[3] In 1981, Legend and Linda Lautrec saw My Dinner With Andre.[4] The two thought of spoofing the film and in 1982, the couple produced, wrote and, together with Mark Shepard, directed My Breakfast with Blassie, starring comedian Andy Kaufman and wrestling manager Freddie Blassie.[1][5] Legend’s sister Lynne Margulies, who also appeared in the film, subsequently became Kaufman’s girlfriend.[4]

In 1995, Legend co-founded Incredibly Strange Wrestling, a wrestling promotion active in San Francisco until the early 2000s.

In 2000, January 14 to 20, Legend did a week showing films at the Clinton St. Theater in Portland, Oregon. Among the features he presented were, The Sadist, The T.A.M.I Show, My Breakfast with Blassie, Two Thousand Maniacs!, and more.[6]

Death

Legend died from complications of a stroke and heart failure in Newport, Oregon, on January 2, 2026, at the age of 77.[7][3][8]

Credits: