Reginald VelJohnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Reginald VelJohnson
VelJohnson in 2021
Born	Reginald Johnson (1952-08-16) August 16, 1952 (age 73) 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 on August 16, 1952) is an American actor. He is famous for playing police officers in movies and on TV. His most well-known roles include Sergeant Al Powell in the Die Hard movies (from 1988 to 2008) and Carl Winslow in the TV show Family Matters (from 1989 to 1998).

Early Life and Education

Reginald VelJohnson was born Reginald Johnson in New York City, in a part called Queens. His mother, Eva, worked as a nurse's aide, and his father, Dan, was a hospital attendant. When Reginald was 13, his father left the family. Reginald and his brother, Barry, were then raised by their mother, who later married John Reilly. Reginald went to Benjamin N. Cardozo High School.

He studied theater at New York University and earned a special degree called a Bachelor of Fine Arts. While there, he got to work with a theater group called Joseph Papp's Black/Hispanic Shakespeare Company. Famous actors like Morgan Freeman and CCH Pounder were also part of this group. Early in his acting career, he changed his name from Reginald Johnson to Reginald VelJohnson. He said he changed it so people would remember his name easily.

Acting Career Highlights

Reginald VelJohnson is often recognized for playing police officers. He has appeared in many popular films and TV shows.

Early Film Roles

Before his big breakthrough, VelJohnson had smaller parts in movies. He was a corrections officer in Ghostbusters (1984) and a limo driver in Crocodile Dundee (1986). He also acted alongside Tom Hanks as Detective David Sutton in the movie Turner & Hooch (1989).

Breakthrough in Die Hard

VelJohnson's career took off when he played Sergeant Al Powell in the 1988 action movie Die Hard. He was chosen for the role because the original actor couldn't do it, and the producers wanted someone new. He moved from New York to California to film the movie, and he liked California so much that he decided to live there permanently. He played Sergeant Powell again in the sequel, Die Hard 2 (1990), and even voiced the character in the 2002 video game Die Hard: Vendetta.

Starring in Family Matters

In 1989, VelJohnson got another major role as Carl Winslow, a police officer and father, in the TV show Family Matters. He starred alongside Jo Marie Payton, who played his wife, Harriette Winslow. The show was a spin-off from Perfect Strangers. VelJohnson played Carl Winslow for the entire run of Family Matters, until it ended in 1998.

Recent Work and Guest Appearances

Since Family Matters ended, VelJohnson has mostly done voice acting and made guest appearances on many TV shows. He has been in shows like Monk, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, That's So Raven, Bones, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

In 2008, he returned as Sergeant Al Powell in an episode of the TV show Chuck. From 2009 to 2011, he had a recurring role as Principal, and later Superintendent, Strickland on the Disney sitcom I'm in the Band. He also played Pastor/Brother Haywood on Mike & Molly from 2010 to 2013.

In 2021, VelJohnson voiced Principal Winslow in the animated series Invincible. The high school in the show is named after him, and the character is named after his role as Carl Winslow. He also voiced other small characters in the series. In the same year, he reprised his role as Mayor David Sutton in the TV series based on Turner & Hooch.

In January 2023, VelJohnson started appearing in commercials for Progressive insurance, playing a character called "TV Dad," which is a funny take on his Carl Winslow role. In September 2024, he competed on Dancing with the Stars with professional dancer Emma Slater, finishing in 10th place.

Personal Life

Reginald VelJohnson has homes in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Los Angeles. He has never married and does not have any children.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

See also

In Spanish: Reginald VelJohnson para niños