World Famous Bushman
Encyclopedia
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. 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, often including those he has previously scared.
Crowds usually watch Johnson in front of Joe's Crab Shack
, located across the street from where he usually sits, to see him entertain people.
In a "good year", Johnson claims to earn $60,000. 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.
The police have received a number of complaints about the Bushman, and Fisherman's Wharf merchants have tried to shut him down. In 2004, he was charged with four misdemeanors, but a jury cleared him. The District Attorney subsequently dropped several remaining public nuisance complaints.
's [X]press Magazine says:
Jacobs is also the subject of a short film, The Bush Man. 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.'"
an advertising agency in San Francisco, CA.
Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California
Fisherman's Wharf is a neighborhood and popular tourist attraction in San Francisco, California. It roughly encompasses the northern waterfront area of San Francisco from Ghirardelli Square or Van Ness Avenue east to Pier 35 or Kearny Street...
in San Francisco since 1980. His current act began after he tried dressing as a robot
Living statue
The term living statue refers to a mime artist who poses like a statue or mannequin, usually with realistic statue-like makeup, sometimes for hours at a time....
but found there were too many others doing the same thing. 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, often including those he has previously scared.
Crowds usually watch Johnson in front of Joe's Crab Shack
Joe's Crab Shack
Joe's Crab Shack is an American chain of beach-themed seafood casual dining restaurants owned by Ignite Restaurant Group. Founded in Houston, Texas, the restaurant now operates locations all across the country. It serves seafood and American cuisine. The restaurants also have a gift shop that sells...
, located across the street from where he usually sits, to see him entertain people.
In a "good year", Johnson claims to earn $60,000. At one point, he employed a bodyguard
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
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.
The police have received a number of complaints about the Bushman, and Fisherman's Wharf merchants have tried to shut him down. In 2004, he was charged with four misdemeanors, but a jury cleared him. The District Attorney subsequently dropped several remaining public nuisance complaints.
Two Bushmen
An article in SFSUSan Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
'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."http://xpress.sfsu.edu/archives/magazine/012508.html
Jacobs is also the subject of a short film, The Bush Man. 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.'"
Bushman Holiday Video
The Bushman was also featured in a holiday video for HEATHeat
In physics and thermodynamics, heat is energy transferred from one body, region, or thermodynamic system to another due to thermal contact or thermal radiation when the systems are at different temperatures. It is often described as one of the fundamental processes of energy transfer between...
an advertising agency in San Francisco, CA.