Anthony Johnson (actor) facts for kids

Anthony Johnson (born February 1, 1966 – died September 6, 2021) was a talented American actor and comedian. He was also known as A. J. Johnson. He became famous for his role as "Ezal" in the funny movie Friday, which came out in 1995.

About Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson was born in Compton, California. His father, Eddie Smith, was a stuntman and helped start the Black Stuntmen's Association. Anthony said his dad helped him get into the movie business. He also gave credit to comedian Robin Harris for helping him with his stand-up comedy career when he was just starting out.

His Acting Journey

Anthony Johnson started acting when he was in his early twenties. In 1990, he got a big role as E.Z.E. in the movie House Party. After that, he began performing stand-up shows in bars around Los Angeles.

His most well-known role was in the 1995 comedy movie Friday, where he played a character named Ezal. He also appeared in other movies like Panther, The Players Club, and B*A*P*S. Anthony also showed up in music videos, including Dr. Dre's "Dre Day" in 1992.

Life Outside of Acting

Anthony Johnson had three daughters. He also had two siblings, a brother named Edward Smith and a sister named Sheila.

In 2009, there were reports that Anthony had a health issue at LaGuardia Airport. However, he later clarified in 2018 that it was actually a panic attack. Anthony Johnson passed away on September 6, 2021, when he was 55 years old. He was found unresponsive in a store in Los Angeles County. His death was announced publicly a few weeks later.