John "Johnny" Brown was a multifaceted American entertainer, renowned for his versatility in the realms of acting, singing, and comedy. Born on June 11, 1937, Brown's early life was marked by his passion for performance, which led him to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
As a stage and nightclub performer, Brown honed his skills, eventually becoming a regular cast member on the popular television series Laugh-in. His endearing personality, characterized by his wide grin, expressive face, and easygoing wit, made him a beloved figure on the small screen.
However, Brown's most iconic role was that of Nathan Bookman, the lovable but often the target of fat jokes building superintendent on the 1970s CBS sitcom Good Times. He portrayed Bookman until the show's cancellation in 1979. Brown's impressive television career also included appearances on Flip Wilson Show, The Jeffersons, Family Matters, Sister, Sister, The Jamie Foxx Show, and Martin.
In addition to his television work, Brown made his mark on the Broadway stage, starring in the musical Golden Boy alongside Sammy Davis, Jr. His supporting role as Ronnie featured him as the lead vocalist on the show-stopping number "Don't Forget 127th Street".
Before his acting career took off, Brown was a schoolmate of renowned author Walter Dean Myers in Harlem. He is also the proud father of actress Sharon Brown, born in 1962, and John Brown Jr., or J.J. Brown Jr.
In the early 1970s, Brown starred in a television commercial for the Write Brothers pen, a short-lived product of the Papermate pen company. The commercial, featuring an elaborate musical number, showcased Brown as a schoolteacher encouraging his students to use the pen for their school assignments.
Later in his career, Brown contributed his voice to the introduction of the compilation album Comedy Stew: The Best of Redd Foxx in 1997. In the introduction, he shared an interesting anecdote about how Norman Lear had initially considered him for the role of Lamont in Sanford and Son but was unavailable due to his prior commitment to Laugh-In, leading Lear to cast Demond Wilson instead.
