Reginald VelJohnson

Biography

Reginald VelJohnson was born in Queens, New York City, to a working-class family. His father was a hospital worker, and his mother was a homemaker. VelJohnson’s early interest in acting began in high school, where he participated in drama clubs and was encouraged to pursue his passion for performance. 

He attended the prestigious St. John's University in New York, where he studied literature and communication. After graduation, VelJohnson pursued his dream of acting and moved to Los Angeles to build his career in entertainment.

Breakthrough and Early Career

VelJohnson’s early career in Hollywood was built on a combination of television and film roles, often portraying authority figures such as police officers or other strong, supportive characters. He made his film debut in Ghostbusters (1984) in a small role as a security guard, but it was in Die Hard (1988) that he would cement his place in Hollywood.

In Die Hard, VelJohnson portrayed Sergeant Al Powell, a sympathetic, down-to-earth cop who helps Bruce Willis’s character, John McClane, from a distance as he battles terrorists in a Los Angeles skyscraper. 

Powell’s role as the unlikely, but supportive, ally was a standout performance in an ensemble cast and became one of VelJohnson’s most iconic roles. The success of Die Hard made VelJohnson a household name and led to a quick follow-up role in Die Hard 2 (1990), where he reprised his role as Sergeant Powell.

Family Matters and Television Stardom

After Die Hard, VelJohnson transitioned to television, where he would find long-lasting success. In 1989, he was cast in the role of Carl Winslow, a lovable, yet often exasperated, police officer in the hit sitcom Family Matters. The series, which began as a spin-off of Perfect Strangers, focused on the Winslow family and their interactions with their nerdy but well-meaning neighbor, Steve Urkel (played by Jaleel White).

VelJohnson's portrayal of Carl Winslow was pivotal to the show's success, as he became the heart of the series. His character was a grounded and sensible father figure, often providing guidance and wisdom to his children, while also navigating the comedic chaos caused by Urkel. 

Family Matters ran for a successful nine seasons, from 1989 to 1998, becoming one of the longest-running sitcoms of its time. VelJohnson's role as Carl earned him widespread recognition and solidified his place as a staple of American television.

Film Roles and Versatility

While Family Matters was VelJohnson’s most prominent role, he continued to appear in films throughout the 1990s and beyond. He starred in Turner & Hooch (1989) alongside Tom Hanks, playing a police officer who teams up with a dog to solve a crime. He also appeared in L.A. Story (1991) and lent his voice to animated series like The Legend of Tarzan (2001–2003) and Family Guy (2002).

VelJohnson's film roles were often comedic, capitalizing on his warm, approachable persona, and his characters were often police officers, like in Die Hard. However, his versatility allowed him to branch out into other genres, demonstrating his ability to portray both comedic and serious roles.

Later Career and Television Appearances

In the years following Family Matters, VelJohnson’s television appearances slowed down, but he continued to make guest appearances in a variety of shows. He appeared in The West Wing, The Simpsons, and SuperMansion, among others. In addition, he starred in a series of voice roles, including playing Big Mike in the animated series The Cleveland Show.

Reginald VelJohnson also appeared in the 2010s as a recurring guest star in several reality and talk shows, further proving his enduring popularity. His roles were still characterized by his kindness and humor, traits that had made him beloved by audiences during his Family Matters years.