Johnny Harra passed away

Johnny Harra was an American Elvis impersonator. He began impersonating Elvis at the age of 11 and was cast as the 42 year old Elvis Presley in the 1981 docudrama This Is Elvis.Harrra, one of five actors to portray Elvis in the movie, was featured in two scenes from the re-enactment of August 16, 1977, filmed at Graceland. He also starred as a Vegas headliner for many years before battling with diabetes and arthritis.[3] After many years in seclusion he returned to the stage before the 25th anniversary of Elvis' death.

Johnny Harra has been featured in many newspapers and magazines, and on national TV shows like Merv Griffin, Johnny Carson and Dick Clark. Johnny traveled internationally performing his “Profiles of Presley” show. Johnny died on March 30, 2011

aweee what a shame, it seems to be all we hear lately people passing away RIP Johnny x

R.I.P Johnny Harra, Pure Class Elvis Tribute, T.C.B. DKK

RIP Johnny

Rest In Peace, dear Johnny Harra..

This is really sad news. Johnny was one of the origionals. He was very popular and had a great following. RIP Johnny. Hopefully you will get to meet your idol now. Say hi to Elvis for me xxx

Such a sad thing when someone passes , i never got to see johnny but i'm hoping he jamming with Elvis now Rip Johnny xx

With the sad death of Johnny Harra, the 5 actors to portray Elvis in the film 'This Is Elvis', only one now is still alive and thats Paul Boensch III who played Elvis at 10.

David Scott, who played Elvis at 18, passed away in 1993 after taking his own life.

Dana MacKay, who played Elvis in the hospital scene, was murdered in the mid-90's.

Ral Donner, who narrated the film as Elvis, passed away due to cancer in 1984.

Wow now that is interesting! Apparently he was reported dead at some point but it was a hoax, thank goodness. Lets hope Paul Boensch lives a happy healthy life.

Going back to Johnny, I would have loved to hear what he made of upstairs in Graceland whilst filming 'this is Elvis'. He played the older Elvis during the last seven years of his life. He was required to gain 42lb in three months for this part. The filming took place inside Graceland and acting the death scene was apparently very stressful on Johnny. Im not suprised

These photos were taken during the filming in the upstairs bedroom:

very very sad, he was a great ETA and a very loyal fan to Elvis - RIP Mr Harra x

very sad news the guy was alot of etas should look to for his attitude towards elvis on stage, although going back to this is elvis i read somewhere that whilst the upstairs corridors where used for the film the room was a set not sure if anyone can shed some light on that

Been combing the net for AGES! about this and the closest Ive come to confirmation is in this interesting article from Elvis Express Radio:

While Graceland has become the 2nd most visited home in America with millions of people going through the mansion where Elvis lived & relaxed, yet Elvis Presley's private bedroom, as in life remains a closed door. With the exception of the 1981 Warner Brothers movie 'This Is Elvis', very few people have ever seen inside the Kings private domain.

So, just what is it you need to do to be able to get up those stairs and to walk into the King's bedroom?

Access is extremely tight, so tight in-fact that the only two people who have unlimited access to Elvis' bedroom is his daughter, Lisa Marie and his ex-wife, Priscilla.

NOBODY ELSE!

Not even EPE CEO Jack Soden or Archives Manager, Angie Marchese have access. Both of these have to get prior written permission from either Lisa Marie or Priscilla.

So, if you fancy paying a visit to Elvis' bedroom, what are the procedures in order to gain access?

First step is to send a written memo to CEO Jack Soden laying out the reason or reasons for gaining access to the room, along with an estimated time needed to be inside.

Next, if the Memo gets approval by Jack Soden, he will then send it off to the representatives of either Lisa Marie or Priscilla. They will then either approve or disapprove the application and send their decision back to Jack Soden.

If approved, Jack Soden will then enter the Graceland Vaults in order to retrieve the keys to the bedroom. The main door to the room has two combinations. Soden has one, while the other is held by the head of security for the entire Graceland property.

OK, you have got the approval to enter the bedroom, you are then checked for any cameras or any filming devise (such as cell phones etc) and then have to complete a form listing any items that you are taking up or bringing down from the room. If there are any photos of a particular item taken in the room, then each photo is accounted for and then stored in a safe by Jack Soden all the while the process is ongoing.

Then, Soden or one of the Graceland security staff will escort the representatives, which is usually Angie Marchese (Head of Archives) to the upstairs area and open the two locked doors to the bedroom.

Once in the room, the amount of time you are inside is logged and documented for the Graceland records.

The carpet, drapes and furniture are still pretty much the same as when Elvis left us. However, most of the belongings such as his clothes, his jewellery and other perishables have been removed from the room and have all been catalogued and stored away in the vaults.

It is reported that Lisa Marie has taken many of her friends and husbands, including Nicholas Cage, Pink & Michael Jackson up to see her fathers bedroom and his private bathroom, where he was found dead on August 16th 1977.

Interesting info Lorna, thanks for sharing that with us.

I know alot of fans get angered sometimes with EPE about certain things but the way that Elvis' legacy is honoured is truly amazing.

i agree Sean