The Real Story of Gary Johnson: The inspiration behind Glen Powell's Hit Man character

"Hit Man" is a film directed by Richard Linklater that tells the story of Gary Johnson, a philosophy professor who works for the police as an undercover hitman to aid in sting operations. The film is based on the true story of Johnson, who posed as a hitman to bring down criminals soliciting his services. Johnson, a nerdy bird-watching enthusiast with a forgettable face, used aliases like Mike Caine and Jody Eagle to catch criminals in the act. Despite his role as a hitman, Johnson never slept with clients and even tried to steer a victim of abuse away from hiring him. The film portrays Johnson as a chameleon-like figure who was highly successful in his undercover work. While the movie takes some creative liberties, it stays true to the essence of Johnson's story. The real-life Johnson was a Vietnam War veteran, practicing Buddhist, and animal lover who made a significant impact in law enforcement. "Hit Man" is now available on Netflix and is loosely based on Johnson's fascinating life as a fake hitman working for the police in Houston.