Actor Johnny Brown, who made viewers laugh as Nathan Bookman on Good Times, has died via Deadline. The versatile actor who graced film, TV, and the stage, was 84 years old. Brown’s daughter, Sharon Catherine Brown, announced his passing in an Instagram post stating the family was “Beyond heartbroken.”
According to Deadline, Brown was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, but was raised in Harlem. It was here he was exposed to the first roles that would jump-start his decades-long career. A win at amateur night at the legendary Apollo Theater secured him a regular gig with an act that included tap dance legend, Gregory Hines Jr (The Preacher’s Wife, Waiting to Exhale). This parlayed into an opportunity to be mentored by the Rat Pack’s Sammy Davis Jr. as part of his Broadway musical, Golden Boy. As understudy Brown would assume the role of Ronnie which would covet more than 500 performances.
Brown transferred this success to Los Angeles where he was part of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In for several seasons. The success was somewhat of a burden, as this role evaded an opportunity to star along with Redd Foxx (Harlem Nights) in the Norman Lear (Maude, All in the Family) sitcom, Sanford & Son. But Brown would find success on a Lear series soon enough when he joined Good Times in the second season. As the pesty apartment super, Bookman had a love/hate relationship with the Evans family and other tenants.
In addition to this iconic role, Brown went on to star in various roles, appearing in shows such as Julia, Maude, The Jeffersons, Sister, Sister, Family Matters, and Martin. His film credits included Life with Eddie Murphy (Coming to America, The Nutty Professor) and Martin Lawrence (Blue Streak, Bad Boys), The Wiz, and Town & Country.
Brown is survived by his wife of 61 years, June, his daughter, and his son, John.