Johnson was born in Woodside Hospital in East Fremantle, Western Australia and grew up in Palmyra.
He played in the club's premiership victories in 1976 and 1977 as well as the grand final loss in 1978.
[2] A wingman recruited from Perth, Western Australia, Johnson twice won the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal for Melbourne's best and fairest player, in 1983 and 1989.
Renowned for his courage and his long distance kicking, Johnson moved to a back pocket in his latter years.
Chris later moved to Carlton Football Club citing a lack of opportunities.