Beverly Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beverly Johnson
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![]() Johnson in 2007
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Born |
Beverly Ann Johnson
October 13, 1952 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
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Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Northeastern University |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1970–present |
Known for | First African-American model on Vogue cover, August 1974 |
Children | 1 |
Modeling information | |
Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
Hair color | Dark brown |
Eye color | Brown |
Beverly Ann Johnson (born October 13, 1952) is an American model, actress, singer, and businesswoman. Johnson rose to fame when she became the first African-American model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in August 1974. In 1975, Johnson became the first black woman to appear on the cover of the French edition of Elle. In 2012, Johnson was the star of the reality series Beverly's Full House that aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). The New York Times named Johnson one of the 20th century's most influential people in fashion in 2008.
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Early life and career
Born the first of two children to Gloria Johnson, a surgical technician, Johnson was raised in a middle-class family in Buffalo, New York. During her youth, Johnson was a champion swimmer and aspired to be a lawyer. Johnson attended Bennett High School, graduating in 1969. After high school, Johnson went on to study criminal justice at Northeastern University. While in college, Johnson tried modeling while on summer break in 1971. She quickly landed an assignment with Glamour and began working steadily. She went on to appear on more than 500 magazine covers, including the August 1974 issue of Vogue, becoming the magazine's first African-American cover model for the US edition, after Donyale Luna's 1966 British Vogue cover. Her appearance on the cover changed the beauty ideal in US fashion, and by 1975, every major American fashion designer had begun using African-American models.
In addition to modeling, Johnson has also written the books Beverly Johnson's Guide to a Life of Health and Beauty and True Beauty: Secrets of Radiant Beauty for Women of Every Age and Color. Johnson's acting career consists of roles in the films Ashanti (1979), The Meteor Man (1993), Def Jam's How to Be a Player (1997), and Crossroads (2002). She has appeared in guest spots on 7 television series, including Martin (TV series), Law & Order, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The Parent 'Hood and the Super Bowl episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun (1998). She served for two seasons as a celebrity judge on the TV Land series She's Got the Look, a reality series, where women aged over 35 compete for a modeling contract and magazine spread. At the start of the series in 2008, Johnson shared that she and other models had suffered from anorexia and bulimia during her career. She had a brief singing career, releasing one album in 1979 on Buddah Records. Johnson has been a longtime hair and beauty influencer.
Personal life
Johnson has been married twice. Her first marriage was to real estate agent Billy Potter in 1971, later divorcing in 1974. On May 8, 1977, Johnson, then aged 25, married 40-year-old businessman and music producer Danny Sims. She gave birth to their daughter, Anansa Sims on December 27, 1978, in New York City. Johnson and Sims divorced in 1979. Johnson and actor Chris Noth were in a five-year relationship until 1995.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1975 | Deadly Hero | ||
1977 | The Baron | Recepcionist | |
1978 | Crisis in Sun Valley | Beverly | TV Movie |
1979 | Ashanti | Dr. Anansa Linderby | |
1980 | The Sky Is Gray | John Lee's Mother | TV Movie |
1993 | Loaded Weapon 1 | Doris Luger | |
The Meteor Man | Woman Doctor | ||
The Cover Girl Murders | Michaela | TV Movie | |
A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Wicked Wives | Jane Marlowe Morrison | TV Movie | |
1994 | A Brilliant Disguise | Barbara | |
1995 | Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder | Alana Durand | TV Movie |
1996 | Crossworlds | The Queen | Video |
1997 | True Vengeance | Lt. Kada Wilson | Video |
Def Jam's How to Be a Player | Robin | ||
1998 | 54 | Elaine's Patron | |
2000 | Down 'n Dirty | Sandra Collins | |
2002 | Crossroads | Kit's Mother |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1990 | Hunter | Allistar Lang | Episode: "This Is My Gun" |
1992–1993 | Law & Order | Marcela Di Portago / Salamotu | 2 Episodes |
1993 | Martin | Ms. Trinidad | Episode: "Blackboard Jungle Fever" |
Out All Night | Lorraine | Episode: "The Way We Were" | |
1994 | The Mommies | Beverly Johnson | Episode: "The Exercist" |
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Mrs. Cox | 2 Episodes | |
1995 | The Wayans Bros. | Miss Kita | 1 episode |
1996 | The Parent 'Hood | Mrs. Jordan | Episode: "I'm O'Tay, You're O-Tay" |
Red Shoe Diaries | Lorri | Episode: "The Forbidden Zone" | |
1997 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | Fashion Director | Episode: "As Westbridge Turns" |
1998 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Prell | 2 Episodes |
2010 | Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns | Kate | 2 Episodes |
2012 | Beverly's Full House | Herself | 8 Episodes |
Discography
Albums
- Don't Lose The Feeling (1979)
Singles
- "Don't Lose The Feeling" (1979)
- "Don't Run for a Cover" (1979)
See also
- Liberian Girl