---
name: "Clark Johnson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/clark-johnson"
fi1m_id: "clark-johnson"
imdb_id: "nm0424800"
tmdb_id: 47640
wikidata_id: "Q1095721"
roles: ["Director","Actor"]
born: "10 September 1954"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 14
average_fi1m_score: 77
average_as: "director"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-05T04:03:47.264590+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Clark Johnson

## Identity

Clark Johnson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/clark-johnson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** clark-johnson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0424800
- **TMDB ID:** 47640
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1095721
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Johnson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1095721, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0424800/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/47640

Director and actor. Born 10 September 1954 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Actor
- **Born:** 10 September 1954, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- **Active:** 1993–present
- **Also known as:** Clark 'Slappy Jackson, J. Clark Johnson, Clarque Johnson
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 14: 2 acting, 12 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [Lesli Linka Glatter](https://film.one/person/lesli-linka-glatter.md), [Guy Ferland](https://film.one/person/guy-ferland.md), [Alex Zakrzewski](https://film.one/person/alex-zakrzewski.md), [Brad Anderson](https://film.one/person/brad-anderson.md), [Félix Enríquez Alcalá](https://film.one/person/felix-alcala.md), [John Dahl](https://film.one/person/john-dahl.md), [Seith Mann](https://film.one/person/seith-mann.md), [Tricia Brock](https://film.one/person/tricia-brock.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as director, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 86 (3), 2000s 87 (2), 2010s 73 (6), 2020s 69 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 74 across 11 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 11, Crime 8, Action & Adventure 4, Comedy 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2, Mystery 1
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Johnson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1095721, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0424800/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/47640

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*The Wire*](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md) (90), [*The West Wing*](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md) (86), [*Love & Death*](https://film.one/tv/love-and-death.md) (56)
- **Disney+:** [*The Shield*](https://film.one/tv/the-shield.md) (84), [*Homeland*](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md) (78), [*Daredevil: Born Again*](https://film.one/tv/daredevil-born-again.md) (74)
- **Netflix:** [*Orange Is the New Black*](https://film.one/tv/orange-is-the-new-black.md) (79), [*The Walking Dead*](https://film.one/tv/the-walking-dead.md) (68)
- **Peacock:** [*Person of Interest*](https://film.one/tv/person-of-interest.md) (78)
- **AMC+:** [*Hell on Wheels*](https://film.one/tv/hell-on-wheels.md) (52)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Clark Johnson

> Clark Johnson gives police officers and editors a persuasive working authority, and directs ensembles with a close eye on behaviour. We rate him most highly when a drama gives a whole workplace time to become familiar.

Clark Johnson’s camera stays close to people doing their jobs and reacts to them. Location shooting suits that habit: the setting needs to feel like somewhere people work, with other business carrying on beyond the scene. As an actor, he brings a similarly practical authority to police officers and journalists. We rate his handling of ensembles highly, because he takes an interest in people who might be background figures in a more impatient programme.

The acting and directing developed together on *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), where he played Meldrick Lewis and began directing episodes. With *The Shield* (2002), he directed the pilot and helped establish its handheld, embedded camera style. He also directed its finale, a responsibility he held at both ends of *The Wire* (2002). The move into theatrical features brought *S.W.A.T.* (2003) and *The Sentinel* (2006), though television remains the clearest way into his work.

The pilot and finale of *The Wire* are substantial responsibilities, but they do not make Johnson the sole author of what happens between them. His collaboration with writer and producer David Simon is a better guide to his value: he can help establish a drama with room for many competing lives. We were absorbed and sometimes exhausted by *The Wire*, because its departmental disputes demand as much attention as the Baltimore drug war. The programme takes office politics seriously enough for them to become a source of tension. Its humane treatment of the people caught up in that business makes it our strongest recommendation among his credits.

He returned to regular acting as Gus Haynes in *The Wire*’s fifth season in 2008. As the principled city editor, he makes good use of his ability to suggest someone who knows how a workplace runs. *Daredevil: Born Again* (2025), in which he plays Cherry, is a less persuasive introduction to his work, though we recommend the programme with reservations. Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio and the bruising fights make it worthwhile; the familiar plotting and uneven pacing are limitations of the series, not reasons to dismiss Johnson’s contribution. Start with *The Wire*, and give the office arguments the same attention as the police work.

## Biography

Clark Johnson (born 10 September 1954) is an American-Canadian actor and director. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Canada. He is also credited as Clark 'Slappy' Jackson, J. Clark Johnson and Clarque Johnson.

Johnson is known for his acting roles as Meldrick Lewis in *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993–1999), Augustus Haynes in *The Wire* (2008) and Cherry Pitts in the series *Daredevil: Born Again* (2025–present). He has directed episodes of series including *The Shield*, *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*, *The Wire*, *Orange Is the New Black* and *Marvel's Luke Cage*. He received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and was nominated for two Genie Awards.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (14)

### Performed in (2)

- *Late Fame* (2026), Fi1m 78, as Arnold — [page](https://film.one/film/late-fame.md)
- *Daredevil: Born Again* (2025), Fi1m 74, as Cherry — [page](https://film.one/tv/daredevil-born-again.md)

### Directed (12) — the average rests on these

- *Love & Death* (2023), Fi1m 56, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/love-and-death.md)
- *Orange Is the New Black* (2013), Fi1m 79, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/orange-is-the-new-black.md)
- *Hell on Wheels* (2011), Fi1m 52, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/hell-on-wheels.md)
- *Homeland* (2011), Fi1m 78, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md)
- *Person of Interest* (2011), Fi1m 78, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/person-of-interest.md)
- *Terriers* (2010), Fi1m 82, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/terriers.md)
- *The Walking Dead* (2010), Fi1m 68, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-walking-dead.md)
- *The Shield* (2002), Fi1m 84, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-shield.md)
- *The Wire* (2002), Fi1m 90, as Augustus Haynes — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md)
- *The West Wing* (1999), Fi1m 86, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), Fi1m 89, as Meldrick Lewis — [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), Fi1m 82, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)

## Complete filmography (123)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Mayday* (2026), as CDR Keith Hardwick
- *Late Fame* (2026), as Arnold — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/late-fame.md)
- *Daredevil: Born Again* (2025), series, as Cherry — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/daredevil-born-again.md)
- *Molly Movie* (2023), Director
- *Love & Death* (2023), series, Director — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/tv/love-and-death.md)
- *Accused* (2023), series, Director
- *Alaska Daily* (2022), series, Director
- *Underground Railroad: The Secret History* (2022), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Mayor of Kingstown* (2021), series, Director
- *Your Honor* (2020), series, Director
- *Percy* (2020), Executive Producer, Director
- *Evil* (2019), series, as Father Amara · Director
- *Tammy's Always Dying* (2019), as Doug Hughes
- *City on a Hill* (2019), series, Director
- *Juanita* (2019), Director
- *The Purge* (2018), series, Director
- *Magnum Opus* (2017), as Robert Cochran
- *Brawl in Cell Block 99* (2017), as Detective Watkins
- *Snowfall* (2017), series, Director
- *Still Star-Crossed* (2017), series, Director
- *The Good Fight* (2017), series, Director
- *Marvel's Luke Cage* (2016), series, Director
- *The Get Down* (2016), series, Director
- *God Bless You, Mr Rosewater* (2016), as Senator Lister Rosewater
- *Hyena Road* (2015), as General Rilmen
- *American Odyssey* (2015), series, Director
- *Bosch* (2015), series, as Howard Elias
- *Bird People* (2014), as McCullan
- *Black Sails* (2014), series, Director
- *Orange Is the New Black* (2013), series, Director — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/orange-is-the-new-black.md)
- *Santorini Blue* (2013), as Nick
- *Alpha House* (2013), series, as Senator Robert Bettencourt · Director
- *Zero Hour* (2013), series, Director
- *Hell on Wheels* (2011), series, Director — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/tv/hell-on-wheels.md)
- *Homeland* (2011), series, as Detective Calvin Johnson · Director — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md)
- *Person of Interest* (2011), series, Director — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/person-of-interest.md)
- *Unforgettable* (2011), series, as Clay Jacobs
- *King* (2011), series, Director
- *The Chicago Code* (2011), series, Director
- *Lights Out* (2011), series, Director
- *The Walking Dead* (2010), series, Director — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-walking-dead.md)
- *Lost Girl* (2010), series, Director
- *Terriers* (2010), series, Director — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/terriers.md)
- *Memphis Beat* (2010), series, Director
- *Cra$h & Burn* (2009), series, as Walker Hearn
- *Defendor* (2009), as Roger Fairbanks
- *Nurse.Fighter.Boy* (2009), as Silence
- *Kings* (2009), series, Director
- *Lie to Me* (2009), series, Director
- *You Might As Well Live* (2009), as George
- *Eleventh Hour* (2008), series, Director
- *Flashpoint* (2008), series, Director
- *The Trojan Horse* (2008), series, as John Neelon
- *The Sentinel* (2006), as Charlie Merriweather · Director
- *Sleeper Cell* (2005), series, Director
- *Tripping the Wire: A Stephen Tree Mystery* (2005), Actor
- *The Limb Salesman* (2004), as Abe Fielder
- *The Jury* (2004), series, Director
- *S.W.A.T.* (2003), as Deke's Handsome Partner · Director
- *The Wire* (2002), series, as Augustus Haynes · Director — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md)
- *The Shield* (2002), series, as Handsome Marshall · Director — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-shield.md)
- *On Their Knees* (2001), as Uncle John Walker
- *Boycott* (2001), as Emory Jackson · Director
- *Disappearing Acts* (2000), as Jimmy
- *Task Force: Caviar* (2000), Actor
- *Deliberate Intent* (2000), as James Perry
- *Love Come Down* (2000), as Dean
- *Fear of Fiction* (2000), as Gary
- *Soul Food* (2000), series, as Terrell · Director
- *Homicide: The Movie* (2000), as Meldrick Lewis
- *City of Angels* (2000), series, Director
- *Virtual Mom* (2000), as Mr. Hubbard
- *ABCD* (1999), as Minister
- *Third Watch* (1999), series, Director
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, Director — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Meldrick Lewis · Director
- *The City* (1999), series, Director
- *Welcome to Paradox* (1998), series, Director
- *The Planet of Junior Brown* (1997), as Mr. Pool
- *La Femme Nikita* (1997), series, Director
- *The Prosecutors* (1996), as Michael Hall
- *Lulu* (1996), Actor
- *Nick of Time* (1995), as Hackney Transportist
- *Soul Survivor* (1995), as Busha
- *Rude* (1995), as Reece
- *Drop Zone* (1994), as Bob Covington
- *Final Round* (1994), as Trevon
- *Model by Day* (1994), as Master Chang
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, Director — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Meldrick Lewis · Director — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *The Finishing Touch* (1992), as Detective Gilliam
- *African Skies* (1992), series, Director
- *Coopersmith: Sweet Scent of Murder* (1992), as Sgt. Mike Delaney
- *Forever Knight* (1992), series, Actor
- *Psychic* (1992), as Spencer
- *Hammerman* (1991), series, as Hammerman/Stanley Burrell (voice)
- *New Attitude* (1990), series, as Randy Sims
- *Personals* (1990), Actor
- *Renegades* (1989), as JJ · Stunts
- *The Women of Brewster Place* (1989), as Butch Fuller
- *The Women of Brewster Place* (1989), series, as Butch Fuller
- *Iron Eagle II* (1988), as Graves
- *My Secret Identity* (1988), series, Actor
- *War of the Worlds* (1988), series, as Young
- *Colors* (1988), as Lee
- *Hostage* (1988), as Detective Morton
- *Blindside* (1987), as Moriarty
- *Nowhere to Hide* (1987), as Mark Halstead
- *Adventures in Babysitting* (1987), as Black Gang Leader
- *Wild Thing* (1987), as Winston
- *Hot Shots* (1986), series, as Al Pendleton
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Cole's Atty. McNeil
- *The Fly* (1986), Special Effects — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-fly.md)
- *Perry Mason Returns* (1985), as Reporter (uncredited)
- *Murder: By Reason of Insanity* (1985), as Technician (uncredited)
- *The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1985), series, as Officer Stoker
- *Murder in Space* (1985), as Technician
- *Starcrossed* (1985), as Ralph
- *Night Heat* (1985), series, Actor
- *The Dead Zone* (1983), Special Effects — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md)
- *Skullduggery* (1983), as Dave
- *Mazes and Monsters* (1982), as Perry
- *Killing 'em Softly* (1982), as Michael

## Gallery

- ![Clark Johnson](https://film.one/media/person/47070/gallery-3f57ab1e7fd4.jpg) Clark Johnson — che (Please credit as "Petr Novák, Wikipedia" in case you use this outside Wikimedia projects.), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Clark_Johnson.jpg/1280px-Clark_Johnson.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002)](https://film.one/media/person/47070/gallery-f7964dc7d65e.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%281%29.jpg/1280px-Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002)](https://film.one/media/person/47070/gallery-4ab935b58ce9.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%282%29.jpg/1280px-Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%282%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002)](https://film.one/media/person/47070/gallery-73143240abac.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%283%29.jpg/1280px-Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%283%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Clark Johnson](https://film.one/media/person/47070/gallery-7ea8f04d0bb6.jpg) Clark Johnson — Image via TMDB
- ![Clark Johnson](https://film.one/media/person/47070/gallery-5d9260d7afa4.jpg) Clark Johnson — Image via TMDB
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002)](https://film.one/media/person/47070/gallery-b7d5a146c8b3.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%284%29.jpg/1280px-Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%284%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2002: Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (nominated), for *The Shield*

### Other awards — 1 won, 4 nominated

- Earle Grey Award 2018: Earle Grey Award (won)
- Genie Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor 2010: Genie Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor (nominated), for *Nurse.Fighter.Boy*
- Black Reel Award for Best Director 2007: Black Reel Award for Best Director (nominated), for *The Sentinel*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series 1999: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Homicide: Life on the Street*
- Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor 1996: Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Rude*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/clark-johnson