Godspeed Johnny Brown

Johnny Brown, perhaps best known as a regular on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and housing project superintendent Nathan Bookman on the classic sitcom Good Times, died on March 2 at the age of 84.

Johnny Brown was born on June 11 1937 in St. Petersburg, Florida. He grew up in Harlem. He won an amateur talent competition at the Apollo Theatre. This led to a nightclub act with his wife June Russell, as well as tap dancer Gregory Hines Jr. and drummer Gregory Hines Sr. It was while he was working in the Catskills that he befriended Sammy Davis Jr., who became his mentor.

Johnny Brown toured with saxophonist Sam "The Man" Taylor starting in 1958. In 1961 Mr. Brown's first single "Walkin', Talkin', Kissin' Doll" was released by Columbia Records. Another single, "You're Too Much in Love With Yourself," was released by Atlantic Records in 1968. It was through his mentor Sammy Davis Jr. that Johnny Brown made his Broadway debut. Sammy Davis Jr. was set to star in the production Golden Boy alongside comedian Godfrey Cambridge. Mr. Davis then got Mr. Brown a job as Mr. Cambridge's understudy. Godfrey Cambridge was not particularly eager to do the play and as a result began constantly arguing with director Arthur Penn. Only two days before Golden Boy was set to premiere, Godfrey Cambridge was fired and Johnny Brown took his place in the play. In 1968 Johnny Brown again appeared on Broadway in Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights.

Johnny Brown made his movie debut in A Man Called Adam in 1968. In the Sixties he also appeared in the movie The Out-of-Towners (1970). It was in 1970 that he became a regular on the TV show Laugh-In. He remained with the show through its fifth season. In the Sixties he also guest starred on the shows  Julia and Love, American Style. He also appeared on such variety shows as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Sammy Davis Show, The Leslie Uggams Show, Della, and The Merv Griffin Show.

He began the Seventies continuing to appear on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. It was in 1975 that he started playing Nathan Bookman on the sitcom Good Times. He remained with the show until it ended its run in 1979. In the Seventies Johnny Brown guest starred on Love, American Style; Night Gallery; Maude; The Rookies; Lotsa Luck!; Get Christie Love!; The Ghost Busters; The Lost Saucer; Chico and the Man; and Monster Squad. He provided voices for the Saturday morning cartoon The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show. He was a guest on the variety shows Dinah!, Flip, and Sammy and Company. He appeared in the movie The Wiz (1978).

In the Eighties Johnny Brown guest starred on Gimme a Break!, Archie Bunker's Place, The Jeffersons, Insight, Fantasy Island, Punky Brewster, Moonlighting, and 227. He provided voices for the Saturday morning cartoon Alvin & The Chipmunks. He appeared in the movies Body and Soul (1981) and Hanky Panky (1982).

In the Nineties Johnny Brown guest starred on the shows Out All Night; Martin; Family Matters; On Our Own; Hangin' with Mr. Cooper; Sister, Sister; The Jamie Foxx Show; The Wayan Brothers; Touched by an Angel; Cousin Skeeter; The Parent 'Hood; and Keenan & Kel. He appeared in the movie Life (1999).

In the Naughts Mr. Brown guest starred on the shows The Parkers, Baby Boy, and Everybody Loves Chris. He appeared in the movies Town & Country (2001), I'm Through with White Girls (2007), and Man in the Mirror (2008). His final appearance on screen was in the movie In Da Cut (2013).

Chances are good that Johnny Brown will always be remembered as Bookman on Good Times, which is in some ways sad. It is true that he was excellent in the role, but it ignores the fact that he did so much more in his career. He shined as one of the cast members of Laugh-In and displayed his comic versatility on such other shows as Love, American Style. In addition to being a gifted comedian and actor, Johnny Brown was also a talented singer. His singles can be found on YouTube and they demonstrate that he had an incredible voice. While it seems likely he will always be remembered for Good Times, he did so much more.