You’ve seen him. Or at least, you’ve heard the voice in a fever dream or a Simpsons rerun. A guy in a zoot suit with a cigar, leaning in to tell you that, honestly, you don't have to call him Johnson.
Raymond J. Johnson Jr. wasn’t just a character; he was a cultural phenomenon that somehow bridged the gap between 1970s variety shows and modern-day memes. But if you weren’t around when the Miller Lite commercials were everywhere, the whole bit probably feels like an inside joke you weren't invited to.
The Man Behind the Zoot Suit
Bill Saluga. That’s the name of the guy who actually brought this chaos to life. He wasn't some corporate creation cooked up in a boardroom to sell beer. Saluga was a founding member of the Ace Trucking Company, an improv troupe that featured heavy hitters like Fred Willard.
The character of Raymond J. Johnson Jr. started almost by accident at The Bitter End in New York City back in 1969. Saluga just got up and started doing this blustery, over-the-top voice. When someone asked his name, he blurted out "Raymond Johnson." The next night, he added the "J." Then the "Jr." It was basically a snowball effect of nonsense.
It’s weird to think about now, but this character was once as recognizable as Ronald McDonald.
Why the bit actually worked (sorta)
The joke is simple. It's almost too simple. Someone calls him "Mr. Johnson," and he takes massive offense—not because he hates the name, but because he wants to be informal. Except his way of being "informal" involves a minute-long, rhyming list of every possible nickname.
"You can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay, or you can call me Johnny, or you can call me Sonny..."
It goes on. And on. The humor isn't in the words themselves; it’s in the sheer absurdity of a man wasting your time to tell you how much time he’s saving you. It’s the ultimate "guy at the bar who won't let you leave" energy.
The Commercial King
In the late 70s, the character exploded because of beer commercials. Specifically, Miller Lite and Natural Light. This was the era of the "Taste Great / Less Filling" debates. Saluga’s Raymond J. Johnson Jr. fit perfectly into that world of loud, boisterous personalities.
He was everywhere:
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- The Gong Show
- Redd Foxx
- Even a disco record called "Dancin' Johnson" (yes, really).
It’s easy to look back and think it was just "ditch weed" humor, as some Redditors suggest. But there’s a technical craft to Saluga’s delivery. The rhythm had to be perfect. If he tripped over one "Ray Jay" or "R.J.J. Jr.," the whole house of cards collapsed.
Raymond J. Johnson Jr. in the Modern Era
Bill Saluga passed away in March 2023 at the age of 85. Even though the peak of his fame was decades ago, the character refused to die.
The Simpsons famously parodied him in the episode "Krusty Gets Kancelled." Krusty is looking for celebrities for his comeback special, and the only person available is "Ray Jay Johnson." It’s a brutal, funny nod to how ubiquitous and slightly annoying the character had become.
He also popped up in King of the Hill and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Saluga actually played Richard Lewis’s uncle on Curb, showing he still had those comedic chops long after the zoot suit was retired.
The Bob Dylan Connection
Here’s a deep cut: even Bob Dylan was a fan. Or at least, he was paying attention. In his song "Gotta Serve Somebody," Dylan includes a line that sounds suspiciously like a tribute to Saluga:
"You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy / You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy."
When a Nobel Prize winner is riffing on your beer commercial catchphrase, you’ve officially made it into the DNA of American culture.
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What We Can Learn From the "Ray" Legacy
Raymond J. Johnson Jr. represents a specific type of American comedy—the "one-bit wonder" that works because of relentless commitment. Saluga didn't try to reinvent the character. He leaned into the bit until it became a part of the atmosphere.
Honestly, it's a lesson in branding. Find your "thing," make it rhythmic, and don't be afraid to be a little bit annoying.
If you want to truly appreciate the work, go find the old 1978 Natural Light commercial with Norm Crosby. Watch the way Saluga handles the cigar. Notice how he never breaks character, even when the premise is totally thin.
Next steps for the curious:
- Watch the 1973 Ace Trucking Company sketches on YouTube to see Saluga's improv roots.
- Check out the "Dancin' Johnson" track if you want to hear what 1979 sounded like at its weirdest.
- Re-watch the Simpsons' "Krusty Gets Kancelled" to see how the character was viewed by the next generation of writers.
You don't have to call him Johnson. But you should definitely remember the name.