Reginald Veljohnson

About Reginald Veljohnson

A hefty, genial African-American character actor in features and a put-upon sitcom lead, Reginald VelJohnson is perhaps best known to film audiences as the friendly, Twinkie-chomping cop pal to Bruce Willis in "Die Hard" (1988). VelJohnson fleetingly recreated this role in a cameo for "Die Hard 2" (1990). TV audiences know him as Carl Winslow, another good-natured if long-suffering police officer, on the hit ABC sitcom, "Family Matters" (1989-97; CBS, 1997-98). Though VelJohnson was initially considered the star of the show, he was eclipsed by the addition of a phenomenally popular character: the sublimely nerdy Steve Urkel (Jaleel White). Much of the show has consequently revolved around their prickly relationship.

Education

Benjamin N Cardozo High School, Bayside , New York

New York University, New York , New York

Long Island Institute of Music and Arts, New York

Career Milestones

Added his middle name, Vel, to his original surname in the early 1970s because there were other actors named Reginald or Reggie Johnson

Appeared on and off-Broadway in such shows as "Hamlet," "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Mondongo"

Invited to join Joseph Papp's Black/Hispanic Shakespeare Company with Morgan Freeman, Gloria Foster, C C H Pounder, Miriam Colon and Jaime Sanchez

Recurring TV role in "Perfect Strangers" led to own series "Family Matters"

1981

Film acting debut, "Wolfen"

1989

Played Carl Winslow on the ABC sitcom, "Family Matters"

1999

Appeared in the annual holiday stage musical "A Christmas Carol" in NYC

2005

Starred in the comedy "Suits on the Loose" helmed by Rodney Henson