Reginald VelJohnson
{{short description|American actor}}
{{For|other people named Reginald Johnson|Reginald Johnson (disambiguation){{!}}Reginald Johnson}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Reginald VelJohnson
| image = Reginald VelJohnson, 2021 (579134550).jpg
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption = VelJohnson in 2021
| birth_name = Reginald Johnson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|8|16}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| alma mater = New York University (BFA)
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1979–present
| known_for = Carl Winslow – Family Matters
Al Powell – Die Hard
}}
Reginald VelJohnson (born Reginald Johnson; August 16, 1952) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying police officers on screen, such as Sergeant Al Powell in the Die Hard franchise (1988–2008) and Carl Winslow in the television sitcom Family Matters (1989–1998).
Early life
VelJohnson was born Reginald Johnson in New York City, in the borough of Queens. His mother Eva was a nurse’s aide, while his father Dan was a hospital attendant.{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/47/Reginald-VelJohnson.html |title=Reginald VelJohnson Biography (1952– ) |publisher=FilmReference.com|access-date=June 7, 2010}} His father left the family, which included Reginald's brother Barry,{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/reginald-veljohnson/bio/171183/|title=Reginald Veljohnson
He obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater from New York University, where he had a chance to work with Joseph Papp's Black/Hispanic Shakespeare Company, in which Morgan Freeman and CCH Pounder were among his fellow actors.{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Michael E. |title=Reginald VelJohnson |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1990/11/25/reginald-veljohnson/9812a86d-f340-4208-8ef0-5f044116a632/ |access-date=May 18, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 25, 1990|archive-date= December 3, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191203115615/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1990/11/25/reginald-veljohnson/9812a86d-f340-4208-8ef0-5f044116a632/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://gradactingalumni.org/alumni/reginald-vel-johnson/|title=Reginald Vel Johnson: Class of 1975|publisher= New York University Grad Acting Alumnni Association|archive-date=April 7, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190407030122/http://gradactingalumni.org/alumni/reginald-vel-johnson/|url-status=dead}} Early in his acting career, he changed his name from Reginald Johnson to Reginald VelJohnson. He later said he changed the spelling of his birth name "because I wanted a name people would remember".{{cite news|title=Reginald Veljohnson of 'Family Matters' reminisces|last=Buck|first=Jerry|date=November 16, 1989|work=The Dallas Morning News}}
Career
VelJohnson is known for playing police officers in films and on television. His early career included a brief appearance in Ghostbusters (1984), as a municipal corrections officer, and an appearance in Crocodile Dundee (1986) as a limo driver. VelJohnson played alongside Tom Hanks, as Detective David Sutton, in Turner & Hooch (1989). He played an ambulance driver in Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) in which he was credited by the stage name Ivory Ocean.
VelJohnson had his breakthrough role as Sergeant Al Powell in the 1988 film Die Hard. VelJohnson was hired after Gene Hackman, originally hired to play the role, became unavailable, and producers decided to hire a relatively unknown actor for the part. He came from New York to California to film it for nine months, which was so long that he ended up residing in California permanently thereafter.{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Simon |title=Reginald VelJohnson Talks 'Die Hard' At 30 And 'Crocodile Dundee' Sequel [Interview] |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2018/11/02/reginald-veljohnson-talks-die-hard-at-30-and-crocodile-dundee-sequel/ |access-date=December 18, 2019 |publisher=Forbes.com Contributor |date=November 2, 2018|archive-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200601233355/https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2018/11/02/reginald-veljohnson-talks-die-hard-at-30-and-crocodile-dundee-sequel/%2366ac137d1647|url-status=live}} Note: Forbes magazine in its website's legal notices states Forbes contributors are not staffers and are under no editorial oversight. They are personal blogs.{{cite news |last1=Dawn |first1=Randee |title=Reginald VelJohnson reveals how 'Die Hard' helped him get cast in 'Family Matters' |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/reginald-veljohnson-reveals-how-die-hard-helped-him-get-cast-t141448 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |work=Today |date=November 7, 2018}} He later reprised the character in the 1990 sequel Die Hard 2. VelJohnson again portrayed Powell in the GameCube video game Die Hard: Vendetta in 2002.
In 1989, VelJohnson was cast as police officer and family patriarch Carl Winslow in the ABC (later CBS) sitcom Family Matters, alongside Jo Marie Payton, who played his wife Harriette Winslow. It was a spinoff of the popular show Perfect Strangers on which he appeared only once, though Payton appeared as a recurring guest star. He starred on the show until it ended in 1998. Since the end of Family Matters, VelJohnson has done mostly voice and guest star work.{{cite web|date=September 16, 2016|title=On this day in comedy... In 1952 comedian and actor Reginal VelJohnson was born!|work=The Humor Mill |url=http://humormillmag.com/day-comedy-2-4/|access-date=December 18, 2019|publisher=Humor Mill Mag}} VelJohnson has made guest appearances in several TV shows, including The Equalizer, Diagnosis: Murder, Twice in a Lifetime, Will & Grace, Monk, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Eve, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Crossing Jordan, The Parkers, That's So Raven, and Bones. He had a minor role in the 2002 film Like Mike and a recurring role as Pastor/Brother Haywood on Mike & Molly. In 2007, he appeared in the short films Reverse, Nerve Endings, and Time Upon A Once which were made during the reality show On the Lot.{{cite web |url=http://www.thelot.com/episodes/?ep=2&vd=26 |title=On the Lot: Episodes |access-date=May 28, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528050726/http://www.thelot.com/episodes/?ep=2&vd=26 |archive-date=May 28, 2007 }} In 2008, he appeared as the Al Powell character from the Die Hard series in an episode of NBC's Chuck titled "Chuck Versus the Santa Claus", as the cousin of Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence). In 2010, VelJohnson started a recurring role as Principal, later Superintendent, Strickland on the Disney sitcom I'm in the Band and Funnyordie.com's short HBO film titled Just 3 Boyz starring Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, and Zach Galifianakis. He has appeared in the comedy film The Formula, starring alongside Brandon Baker and Sasha Jackson.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=William|title=Mixing 'The Formula' For Success|url=http://www.thehawkeye.com/story/movie-071512|publisher=The Hawk Eye|access-date=November 14, 2012}} He played air traffic controller Bob Abbot in the 2012 film Air Collision.
In 2021, VelJohnson voiced Principal Winslow in the animated adaptation of the comic Invincible. In both the comic and the television series, the main character attends a high school named after the actor, and the character itself is named after his previous role of Carl Winslow from Family Matters.{{Citation|title=Special Episode: Robert Kirkman and the Invincible Show| date=March 22, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTYqmKqPFdo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/rTYqmKqPFdo| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-03-22}}{{cbignore}} VelJohnson also voices several minor characters in the series. He later reprised his role as David Sutton on Disney's Turner & Hooch.
In January 2023, VelJohnson began appearing in advertisements for Progressive as "TV Dad", a parody of his previous Carl Winslow role.{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Jeff |title=Actor Reginald VelJohnson Discusses His 'TV Dad' Progressive Commercials And His Professional Mindset At 70 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffconway/2023/01/27/actor-reginald-veljohnson-discusses-his-tv-dad-progressive-commercials-and-his-professional-mindset-at-70/ |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
In September 2024, VelJohnson was announced as one of the celebrities competing on season 33 of Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with Emma Slater{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2024 |title=Meet the celebrity cast of 'Dancing with the Stars' season 33 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/dancing-with-the-stars-season-33-cast/story?id=113355662 |access-date=September 6, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}} and they finished in 10th place.{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2024 |title=Another Double Elimination! Who Went Home on the 'Dancing with the Stars' Tonight? |last=Bloom|first=Mike|url=https://parade.com/tv/who-went-home-dancing-with-the-stars-week-3-night-2-recap-scores-2024|access-date=October 9, 2024 |website=Parade |language=en}}
Personal life
As of 2009, VelJohnson had homes in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Los Angeles, and resided primarily in Oceanside, New York. He has never married and has no children.{{Cite web |last=Seemeyer |first=Zach |date=June 14, 2022 |title='Family Matters' Star Reginald VelJohnson Talks Challenging Co-Stars and Being an Iconic TV Dad (Exclusive) {{!}} Entertainment Tonight |url=https://www.etonline.com/family-matters-star-reginald-veljohnson-talks-challenging-co-stars-and-being-an-iconic-tv-dad |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Entertainment Tonight |language=en-US}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| 1981
| Wolfen | Morgue Attendant | Credited as Reginald Vel Johnson |
| 1984
| Corrections Officer | Credited as Reggie Vel Johnson |
| 1985
| Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins | EMT | |
| 1986
| Gus | |
| rowspan=2| 1988
| Captain Graff | |
| Die Hard
| Sgt. Al Powell | |
| 1989
| Detective David "Dave" Sutton | |
| 1990
| Sgt. Al Powell |
| 1991
| A Fond Little Memory{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} | |
| 1993
| Posse | Preston | |
| 2000
| Ground Zero | Burt Green | |
| 2002
| Mr. Boyd | |
| rowspan=3| 2005
| Sunday Evening Haircut{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} | O.C. | Short film |
| Suits on the Loose{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}
| Brother Steedman | |
| Death to the Supermodels
| Tom | Direct-to-video release |
| 2006
| Hidden Secrets{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} | Norman Wexler | |
| rowspan=2| 2007
| RJ Jackson | |
| Out at the WeddingCast list, Out at the Wedding closing credits
| Dexter | |
| 2009
| Mr. Shavers | |
| rowspan=2| 2010
| Jelly{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} | Joe Woods | |
| You Again
| Mason Dunlevy | |
| rowspan=2| 2012
| Brother White{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} | Hill | |
| Air Collision
| Bob Abbot | |
| 2013
| The Formula{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} | Professor Millan | |
| rowspan=2| 2014
| 12 Dog Days Till Christmas{{cite web|title='12 Dog Days Till Christmas': Claflin event includes screening of S.C.-made film|url=http://thetandd.com/news/dog-days-till-christmas-claflin-event-includes-screening-of-s/article_222f543c-dbd4-11e4-a515-6383cf526025.html|work=The Times and Democrat|location=Orangeburg, South Carolina|date=April 5, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2017|archive-date=March 22, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180322044948/https://thetandd.com/news/dog-days-till-christmas-claflin-event-includes-screening-of-s/article_222f543c-dbd4-11e4-a515-6383cf526025.html| url-status=live}} | Probation Officer Art Stephenson | |
| Strike One{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}
| Judge Morris | |
| 2018
| Hank | |
| 2019
| Fire Chief |
| 2020
| The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee | Reggie | |
| 2023
| Glisten and the Merry Mission | Snowy Owl | Voice |
| {{TableTBA}}
| {{TBA}} | Filming |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2" | 1985-1988
| rowspan="2" | The Equalizer | Harmon Hunter | Episode: "Lady Cop" |
| Arthur Williams
| Episode: "Sea of Fire" |
| 1988
| 227 | The Santa Thief | Episode: "The Night They Arrested Santa Claus" |
| 1989
| rowspan="2" | Carl Winslow | Episode: "Crimebusters" |
| 1989–1998
| Main role, 215 episodes |
| 1992
| Hotel Guest | Episode: "Werewolf Concerto" |
| 1993
| Dream On | Santa | Episode: "Silent Night, Holy Cow" |
| rowspan=2| 1994
| {{sortname|A|Cool Like That Christmas|nolink=1}}{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} | Dad (voice) | Television movie |
| One of Her Own
| Det. Bob Hymes | Television movie |
| 1996
| Deadly Pursuits | Ed Conroy | Television movie |
| 1998
| Dr. David Sinclair | Episode: "The Last Resort" |
| 1999
| {{sortname|The|Hughleys}} | Rev. Bennett | Episode: "Daddy's Going to Hell" |
| 2000
| Dr. David Bryant | Episode: "Whistle Blower" |
| rowspan=2| 2001
| {{sortname|The|Fugitive|The Fugitive (2000 TV series)}} | Maurice Beaumont | Episode: "Lagniappe" |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
| Dr. Phillip Kane | Episodes: "Face Lift" and "Gentle, Gentle" |
| rowspan=2| 2002
| Mr. Holden | Episode: "Someone to Count On" |
| Will & Grace
| Dr. Kaplan | Episode: "It's the Gay Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" |
| 2003
| Sterling Oglevee | Episode: "A Sterling Relationship" |
| rowspan=2| 2005
| Dikembe, The Ambassador | Episode: "The Royal Treatment" |
| Ghost Whisperer
| Danny Small | Episode: "Undead Comic" |
| rowspan=2| 2006
| Eve | Rev. Everett | Episode: "Oh, Brother" |
| Monk
| Todd | Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Class Reunion" |
| rowspan=2| 2007
| Neighbor in 'Time Upon a Once' | Episode: "11 Cut to 10 & 10 Directors Complete" |
| Bones
| Dale Owens | Episode: "The Santa in the Slush" |
| 2008
| Chuck | Sgt. Al Powell | Episode: "Chuck Versus Santa Claus" |
| rowspan=2| 2009
| The Three Gifts{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} | Rodney Smith | Television movie |
| Family Guy
| Sgt. Al Powell | Episode: "Brian's Got a Brand New Bag" |
| 2009–2011
| Principal/Superintendent Cornelius Strickland | Recurring role |
| rowspan=4| 2010
| Christopher | Episode: "Just 3 Boyz" |
| The Bold and the Beautiful
| Ed | 2 episodes |
| Meet the Browns
| Ernie Wilson | Episode: "Meet the Baby Daddy" |
| Glory Daze
|Stan Turley |Episode: "Papa Don't Pre-Game" |
| 2010–2013
| Brother Heywood | 6 episodes |
| 2011
| Bernie | Episode: "The Idea Cafe" |
| 2011–2015
| Dash DeWitt | Recurring role |
| 2012–2013
| Able | Recurring role |
| rowspan=3| 2012
| Reverend Love | Episode #1.12632 |
| Childrens Hospital
|Judge Lester Harrison |Episode: "Children Lawspital" |
| The Mistle-Tones
| Holly's dad | Television movie |
| 2013
| Himself | Episode: "Tisha and Duane" |
| rowspan=2| 2015
| Clipped | Tommy | 5 episodes |
| The Flight Before Christmas
| Joe | Television movie |
| rowspan=4| 2016
| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Judge Melvoy | Episode: "McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century" |
| Hitting the Breaks
| Chauncey van Delaware | 5 episodes |
| Girl Meets World
| Officer James | Episode: "Girl Meets True Maya" |
| Ray Donovan
| Sherman Radley | Episode: "Norman Saves the World" |
| rowspan=2|2017
| Mr. Flannigan (voice) | Episode: "My Mischievous Son" |
| Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television
|Captain Jackson #6 |Episode: "Escape Room Escapades" |
| rowspan=2| 2018
| Himself | Episode: "Bachelor/ette Party" |
| The Prayer Box
| Billy | Television movie |
| 2018–2019
| Jerry (voice) | Recurring role |
| 2019–2021
| God (voice) | Recurring role |
| rowspan=2| 2019
| Mom | Jim | Episode: "Audrey Hepburn and a Jalepeño Pepper" |
| Pride and Prejudice: Atlanta
| Reverend Bennet | Television movie |
| 2020
| Principal Linkenberry | Episode: "Going the Green Mile" |
| 2021
| Mayor David "Dave" Sutton | Recurring role |
| 2021–present
| Principal Winslow, Tether Tyrant (voices) | 3 episodes |
| 2022
| Ghosts of Christmas Always | Roy | Television movie, Hallmark Channel |
| 2024
|Himself |Season 33 contestant; 10th place |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| rowspan=2|2002
|rowspan=2|Sgt. Al Powell {{cite video game | developer=Bits Studios | title=Die Hard Vendetta | publisher=Sierra Entertainment | scene=Ending credits, 2:45:30 in, VOICE AND MOTION CAPTURE ARTISTS | year=2002}} |rowspan=2|Voice and likeness only |
| Die Hard: Vendetta |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|001817}}
- {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20130209224134/http://tv.yahoo.com/person/reginald-veljohnson/biography.html |title=Reginald VelJohnson at Yahoo! TV |date=mdy}}
- {{IBDB name|73903}}
- {{IOBDB name|14162}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:VelJohnson, Reginald}}
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male stage actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:Benjamin N. Cardozo High School alumni
Category:New York University alumni
Category:Male actors from Queens, New York
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors