Reginald VelJohnson

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Reginald VelJohnson
Reginald VelJohnson, 2021 (579134550).jpg
VelJohnson in 2021
Born
Reginald Johnson

(1952-08-16) August 16, 1952 (age 72)
Education Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
Alma mater New York University (BFA)
OccupationActor
Years active1979–present
Known forCarl Winslow – Family Matters
Al Powell Die Hard

Reginald VelJohnson (born Reginald Johnson; August 16, 1952) is an American actor. He is best known for playing police officer characters, such as Carl Winslow on the sitcom Family Matters, which ran from 1989 to 1998, and LAPD Sergeant Al Powell in the films Die Hard and Die Hard 2 .

Contents

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. [1] His father left the family, which included Reginald's brother Barry, [2] when Johnson was 13 years old. Their mother subsequently married John Reilly, [3] and Johnson attended Benjamin N. Cardozo High School. [4]

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. [5] [6] Early in his acting career, he changed his name from Reginald Johnson (his birth name) to Reginald VelJohnson. He later said he changed the spelling "because I wanted a name people would remember". [7]

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. [8] VelJohnson played alongside Tom Hanks, as Det. 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 [5] as Sgt. 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. [9] 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. [8] [10] He later reprised the character in the 1990 sequel Die Hard 2 . [8] VelJohnson again portrayed Sgt. Powell in the GameCube video game titled 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 Harriette appeared as a re-occurring guest star. He starred on the show until it ended in 1998. [5] [8] [10] Since the end of Family Matters, VelJohnson has done mostly voice and guest star work. [11] 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 . [12] In 2008, he appeared as the "Sgt. 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. [13] 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. [14] 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. [15]

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 [16] and they finished in 10th place. [17]

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. [9]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1981 Wolfen Morgue AttendantCredited as Reginald Vel Johnson
1984 Ghostbusters Corrections OfficerCredited as Reggie Vel Johnson
1985 Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins EMT
1986 Crocodile Dundee Gus
1988 Plain Clothes Captain Graff
Die Hard Sgt. Al Powell
1989 Turner & Hooch Detective David "Dave" Sutton
1990 Die Hard 2 Sgt. Al PowellCameo
1991A Fond Little Memory[ citation needed ] Short film
1993 Posse Preston
2000Ground ZeroBurt Green
2002 Like Mike Mr. Boyd
2005Sunday Evening Haircut[ citation needed ]O.C.Short film
Producer, writer
Suits on the Loose[ citation needed ]Brother Steedman
Death to the Supermodels TomDirect-to-video release
2006Hidden Secrets[ citation needed ]Norman Wexler
2007 Three Days to Vegas RJ Jackson
Out at the Wedding [18] Dexter
2009 Steppin: The Movie Mr. Shavers
2010Jelly[ citation needed ]Joe Woods
You Again Mason Dunlevy
2012Brother White[ citation needed ]Hill
Air Collision Bob Abbot
2013The Formula[ citation needed ]Professor Millan
201412 Dog Days Till Christmas' [19] Probation Officer Art Stephenson
Strike One[ citation needed ]Judge Morris
2018 Funny Story Hank
2019 Avengers: Endgame Fire ChiefScenes deleted
2020 The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee Reggie
2023 Glisten and the Merry Mission Snowy OwlVoice

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985–88 The Equalizer N/A (1985)
Harmon Hunter (1986)
Arthur Williams (1988)
Episode: "Lady Cop"
Episode: "Dead Drop"
Episode: "Sea of Fire"
1988 227 The Santa ThiefEpisode: "The Night They Arrested Santa Claus"
1989 Perfect Strangers Carl Winslow Episode: "Crimebusters"
1989–98 Family Matters Carl WinslowMain role, 215 episodes
1992 Tales from the Crypt Hotel GuestEpisode: "Werewolf Concerto"
1993 Dream On SantaEpisode: "Silent Night, Holy Cow"
1994A Cool Like That Christmas[ citation needed ]Dad (voice)Television movie
One of Her Own Det. Bob HymesTelevision movie
1996Deadly PursuitsEd ConroyTelevision movie
1998 Diagnosis: Murder Dr. David SinclairEpisode: "The Last Resort"
1999 The Hughleys Rev. BennettEpisode: "Daddy's Going to Hell"
2000 Twice in a Lifetime Dr. David BryantEpisode: "Whistle Blower"
2001 The Fugitive Maurice BeaumontEpisode: "Lagniappe"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Dr. Phillip KaneEpisodes: "Face Lift" and "Gentle, Gentle"
2002 Crossing Jordan Mr. HoldenEpisode: "Someone to Count On"
Will & Grace Dr. KaplanEpisode: "It's the Gay Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"
2003 The Parkers Sterling OgleveeEpisode: "A Sterling Relationship"
2005 That's So Raven Dikembe, The AmbassadorEpisode: "The Royal Treatment"
Ghost Whisperer Danny SmallEpisode: "Undead Comic"
2006 Eve Rev. EverettEpisode: "Oh, Brother"
Monk ToddEpisode: "Mr. Monk and the Class Reunion"
2007 On the Lot Neighbor in 'Time Upon a Once'Episode: "11 Cut to 10 & 10 Directors Complete"
Bones Dale OwensEpisode: "The Santa in the Slush"
2008 Chuck Sgt. Al PowellEpisode: "Chuck Versus Santa Claus"
2009The Three Gifts[ citation needed ]Rodney SmithTelevision movie
Family Guy Sgt. Al PowellEpisode: "Brian's Got a Brand New Bag"
2009–11 I'm in the Band Principal/Superintendent Cornelius StricklandRecurring role
2010 Funny or Die Presents ChristopherEpisode: "Just 3 Boyz"
The Bold and the Beautiful Ed2 episodes
Meet the Browns Ernie WilsonEpisode: "Meet the Baby Daddy"
Glory Daze Stan TurleyEpisode: "Papa Don't Pre-Game"
2010–13 Mike & Molly Brother Heywood6 episodes
2011 Imagination Movers BernieEpisode: "The Idea Cafe"
2011–15 Hart of Dixie Dash DeWittRecurring role
2012–13 Tron: Uprising AbleRecurring role
2012 General Hospital Reverend LoveEpisode #1.12632
Childrens Hospital Judge Lester HarrisonEpisode: "Children Lawspital"
The Mistle-Tones Holly's dadTelevision movie
2013 Real Husbands of Hollywood HimselfEpisode: "Tisha and Duane"
2015 Clipped Tommy5 episodes
The Flight Before Christmas JoeTelevision movie
Played husband of "Marie" (Jo Marie Payton, who also played Reginald's wife on Family Matters)
2016 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Judge MelvoyEpisode: "McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century"
Hitting the Breaks Chauncey van Delaware5 episodes
Girl Meets World Officer JamesEpisode: "Girl Meets True Maya"
Ray Donovan Sherman RadleyEpisode: "Norman Saves the World"
2017 Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Mr. Flannigan (voice)Episode: "My Mischievous Son"
Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television Captain Jackson #6Episode: "Escape Room Escapades"
2018 Brooklyn Nine-Nine HimselfEpisode: "Bachelor/ette Party"
The Prayer Box BillyTelevision movie
2018–19 3Below: Tales of Arcadia Jerry (voice)Recurring role
2019–21 Lazor Wulf God (voice)Recurring role
2019 Mom JimEpisode: "Audrey Hepburn and a Jalepeño Pepper"
Pride and Prejudice: AtlantaReverend BennetTelevision movie
2020 Sydney to the Max Principal LinkenberryEpisode: "Going the Green Mile"
2021 Turner & Hooch Mayor David "Dave" SuttonRecurring role
2021–present Invincible Principal Winslow, Tether Tyrant (voices)3 episodes
2022Ghosts of Christmas AlwaysRoyTelevision movie, Hallmark Channel
2024 Dancing with the Stars Himself Season 33 contestant; 10th place
Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002 Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza Sgt. Al Powell [20] Voice and likeness only
Die Hard: Vendetta

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References

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  16. "Meet the celebrity cast of 'Dancing with the Stars' season 33". ABC News. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
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  18. Cast list, Out at the Wedding closing credits
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