| The Bushman | |
|---|---|
David Johnson aka The Bushman in August 2007 |
|
| Born | David Johnson |
| Occupation | Busker |
| Years active | 1980–present |
David Johnson, also known as the World Famous Bushman, is a homeless man who has been scaring passers-by along Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco since 1980. His current act began after he tried dressing as a robot but found there were too many others doing the same thing.[1] Johnson hides motionless behind some eucalyptus branches and waits for unsuspecting people to wander by. When they approach, he shakes the bush towards the unsuspecting tourists and startles them. Crowds gather to watch him work,[2] often including those he has previously scared.[1]
Crowds usually watch Johnson in front of Joe's Crab Shack, located across the street from where he usually sits,[3] to see him entertain people.
In a "good year", Johnson claims to earn $60,000.[4] At one point, he employed a bodyguard to protect himself against attacks by the unamused, distract his targets, and to alert him to the approach of elderly people so he could avoid scaring them.[1]
The police have received a number of complaints about the Bushman, and Fisherman's Wharf merchants have tried to shut him down.[5] In 2004, he was charged with four misdemeanors, but a jury cleared him. The District Attorney subsequently dropped several remaining public nuisance complaints.[2]
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An article in SFSU's [X]press Magazine says:
Many people are unaware that there are, in fact, two Bushmen. When [Gregory Jacobs] first came up with this gig, he recruited David Johnson, a man he met at Fisherman's Wharf. As they worked together they developed a close friendship. Johnson's deep voice scares those who unknowingly pass by the man-made bush. Back then, Johnson would hold the bush and Jacobs would tell the jokes, entertain those watching the action, and collect the tips. It has been about fifteen years, and now they are mortal enemies. Jacobs accuses Johnson of running off with their money. Jacobs tries to avoid any conflicts with Johnson by not working where and when he is."[2]
Jacobs is also the subject of a short film, The Bush Man.[6] An article from 1999 makes it clear that Jacobs is actually the relative newcomer to the act: "'I look after him,' says Gregory Jacobs, who recently joined the act as a full partner. 'I watch his back.'"[7]
The Bushman was also featured in a holiday video [8] for HEAT [9] an advertising agency in San Francisco, CA.