Good Times actor Johnny Brown has died at the age of 84, according to the family on Instagram.
- Daughter Johnny shared the sad news on her personal Instagram page.
- The actor had a long career that stretched from the 60s to the early 2000s.
- Johnny passed away on March 2 and the cause of his death is currently unknown.
Johnny Brown, the actor who played Nathan Bookman on the classic sitcom Good Times, has died.
His daughter, actress Sharon Katherine Brown, made the announcement on her Instagram account on Friday.
The actor passed away on March 2. His daughter began the post with his birth and death dates, writing: “Johnny Brown June 11, 1937 – March 2, 2022.”
Rest in Peace: Johnny Brown, the actor who made a name for himself as Nathan Bookman on the classic sitcom The Good Times, has died.
Sharon continued her long and heartfelt post: “Our family is devastated. Shocked. Shocked. Beyond a broken heart.
“I can hardly breathe. At this time, we respectfully ask for privacy because we need a minute to consider the unthinkable.”
She asked for privacy as the family needs time to “process the unthinkable”.
Brown continued: “It’s too terrible. This will never happen. It’s a shock. He was literally taken out of our lives. For us, this is not yet realistic. So there will be more to say, but not now. Dad was the best. We love him very much.
Announcement: Johnny’s daughter Sharon asked for privacy as family needs time to ‘process the unthinkable’
Sad news: Sharon actor’s daughter Katherine Brown announced the news on her Instagram account on Friday; pictured in Connecticut in 2006.
In addition to starring in Good Times, Johnny was a musician who performed on Broadway and was a regular on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.
This appearance was a double-edged sword, as his contractual obligations to the series prevented him from taking on the role of Red Fox’s son.
The legendary entertainer was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and raised in Harlem, New York.
In addition to his daughter, Johnny is also survived by his wife, June, who is 61, their son, Johnny Jr., or “JJ”, a younger brother named George, and a brother-in-law named Pat.
His last day: The actor passed away on March 2, the cause of death was not disclosed; pictured in Connecticut in 2006.
Brown’s career began when he won an amateur night at The Apollo.
After his win, he starred in a nightclub with tap dancer Gregory Hines Jr. and drummer Gregory Hines Sr., who later became his wife.
Brown was a ward of Sammy David Jr., which led him to play Ronnie on Broadway in The Golden Boy.
In 1966, Brown directed the drama A Man Called Adam.
His most famous role: Brown was known for his role on Good Times in the late 70s.
He later returned to Broadway in 1968, where he starred in Take Me Back to Morningside Heights, directed by Sidney Poitier, who also recently died.
A role as a train waiter in The Out of Towners led to an appearance on The Leslie Uggams Show.
The longtime actor appeared on various TV shows in the late 90s, including Family Matters, Sister, Sister, Moonlight, and Martin.
Heyday: Johnny was a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1971; seen with announcer Ed McMahon