Michelle Johnson

Biography

Michelle Johnson, born on September 9, 1965, in Anchorage, Alaska, is an American actress best known for her role as Jennifer Lyons in the 1984 romantic comedy "Blame It on Rio." At the age of four, she and her mother relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where her mother married Dr. Grant Johnson, a child psychologist. Johnson attended Alhambra High School, graduating one semester early in January 1984.

In 1982, Johnson won the International Model of the Year competition, which led to her signing with the Wilhelmina modeling agency in New York City. Her modeling career took a pivotal turn when director Stanley Donen discovered her photograph in a fashion magazine and cast her in "Blame It on Rio." At just 17, Johnson required judicial permission to appear nude in the film.

Following her debut, Johnson secured a recurring role as Kim Carlisle on the television series "The Love Boat" from 1984 to 1985. She continued to build her filmography with appearances in movies such as "Gung Ho" (1986), "Waxwork" (1988), "Dr. Giggles" (1992), and "The Glimmer Man" (1996). Her television credits include guest roles on "Dallas," "Moonlighting," "Tales from the Crypt," and "Melrose Place."

In her personal life, Johnson married Major League Baseball player Matt Williams in January 1999; the couple divorced in July 2002. They primarily resided in Scottsdale, Arizona, during their marriage. In April 2009, Johnson sold her West Hollywood home for a reported $4.1 million.

After a period away from acting, Johnson returned briefly in 2018, portraying Nellie (Eleanor Chambers) in the digital media Christmas special "Brat Holiday Spectacular."

Throughout her career, Michelle Johnson has demonstrated versatility across film and television, leaving a lasting impression on audiences with her performances.