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.