--- name: "Don Johnson" canonical: "https://film.one/person/don-johnson" fi1m_id: "don-johnson" imdb_id: "nm0000467" tmdb_id: 25129 wikidata_id: "Q309788" roles: ["Actor","Director"] born: "15 December 1949" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 7 updated: "2026-10-13T21:45:32.776147+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." --- # Don Johnson ## Identity Don Johnson - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/don-johnson - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** don-johnson - **IMDb ID:** nm0000467 - **TMDB ID:** 25129 - **Wikidata ID:** Q309788 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Johnson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q309788, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000467/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/25129 Actor and director. Born 15 December 1949 in Flat Creek, Missouri, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor, Director - **Born:** 15 December 1949, Flat Creek, Missouri, USA - **Active:** 1984–present - **Also known as:** Donald Wayne Johnson, Donald Johnson - **Titles on Fi1m:** 8: 7 acting, 1 directing - **Golden Globes:** 1 Golden Globe (1 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 7 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 81 (1), 2000s 78 (1), 2010s 79 (4), 2020s 65 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 73 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 3 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 4, Drama 4, Crime 3, Mystery 3, Action 1, Action & Adventure 1 - **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $738m across 2 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Johnson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q309788, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000467/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/25129 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*Watchmen*](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md) (84) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Knives Out*](https://film.one/film/knives-out.md) (81) - **Tubi:** [*Miami Vice*](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) (81) - **Netflix:** [*Rebel Ridge*](https://film.one/film/rebel-ridge.md) (75) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Don Johnson > Don Johnson makes authority seem like good company, sometimes suspiciously so. We value the sadness beneath his swagger in *Miami Vice* and the slightly excessive charm he brings to the police chief in *Watchmen*. Sonny Crockett’s pastel clothes are easy to notice in *Miami Vice* (1984); Don Johnson makes the dissatisfaction beneath them worth watching. Alongside Philip Michael Thomas as Rico Tubbs, he gives us a reason to stay when the programme lets its police cases wait. We found the sadness more affecting than we expected, because Johnson makes Crockett enjoyable company before allowing his discontent to trouble us. The swagger matters: without that initial pleasure, the unhappiness would be considerably harder to care about. The early seasons give him the strongest material; later episodes cannot always make their stories as interesting as their images. Edward James Olmos gives Martin Castillo a welcome gravity, leaving the leads room to be less settled. Johnson initially had trouble escaping slick-hero casting after *Miami Vice*, and took another television lead in *Nash Bridges* (1996). His later supporting work, including *Django Unchained* (2012), offered a different use for that familiar assurance: he could make an impression without having to carry the whole film. *Watchmen* (2019) makes particularly good use of that authority. As Chief Judd Crawford, Johnson is more charming than the job requires, and the excess is what makes the performance interesting. Regina King gives Angela Abar a tired, furious severity beside him. Johnson does not need to compete with her anger to make us pay attention. In Rian Johnson’s *Knives Out* (2019), his Richard Drysdale belongs to a wealthy family whose grievances are entertaining company. This is a good setting for Johnson’s ease in an ensemble, though the writing sometimes gives the actors too little freedom to surprise us. The relatives’ faults are firmly assigned, and some exchanges continue after making their point. Editor Bob Ducsay keeps the repeated visits to events purposeful, helping the film move along when the family might happily continue complaining. We would still begin with the early *Miami Vice* episodes, where there is time to enjoy the company as well as the attitude. Then try *Watchmen* for the later Johnson. Be prepared for a series that takes its time supplying answers, rather longer than we sometimes wanted. ## Biography Don Johnson is an American actor. He was born on 15 December 1949 in Flat Creek, Missouri. He is best known for portraying Detective James "Sonny" Crockett in the television series *Miami Vice* (1984–1989), for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama. He later starred as the title character in the series *Nash Bridges* (1996–2001). Johnson has appeared in films including *Machete* (2010), *Django Unchained* (2012) and *Knives Out* (2019), in which he played Richard Drysdale. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996. *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org.* ## On Fi1m (8) ### Performed in (7) — the average rests on these - *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), Fi1m 55, as Doc Holliday — [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md) - *Rebel Ridge* (2024), Fi1m 75, as Chief Sandy Burnne — [page](https://film.one/film/rebel-ridge.md) - *Knives Out* (2019), Fi1m 81, as Richard Drysdale — [page](https://film.one/film/knives-out.md) - *Watchmen* (2019), Fi1m 84, as Judd Crawford — [page](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md) - *A Series of Unfortunate Events* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Sir — [page](https://film.one/tv/a-series-of-unfortunate-events.md) - *Django Unchained* (2012), Fi1m 78, as Spencer "Big Daddy" Bennett — [page](https://film.one/film/django-unchained.md) - *Eastbound & Down* (2009), Fi1m 78, as Eduardo Sanchez — [page](https://film.one/tv/eastbound-and-down.md) ### Directed (1) - *Miami Vice* (1984), Fi1m 81, as Sonny Crockett — [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) ## Complete filmography (98) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), series, as Doc Holliday — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md) - *Doctor Odyssey* (2024), series, as Captain Robert Massey - *Unit 234* (2024), as Jules · Executive Producer - *Rebel Ridge* (2024), as Chief Sandy Burnne — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/rebel-ridge.md) - *The Collective* (2023), as Liam - *Book Club: The Next Chapter* (2023), as Arthur - *A Little White Lie* (2023), as T. Wasserman - *High Heat* (2022), as Ray - *Nash Bridges* (2021), as Nash Bridges · Executive Producer - *Kenan* (2021), series, as Rick - *Home Movie: The Princess Bride* (2020), series, as Prince Humperdinck - *Knives Out* (2019), as Richard Drysdale — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/knives-out.md) - *Watchmen* (2019), series, as Judd Crawford — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md) - *Vault* (2019), as Gerry - *Dragged Across Concrete* (2019), as Chief Lt. Calvert - *Book Club* (2018), as Arthur - *Sick Note* (2017), series, as Kenny West - *Brawl in Cell Block 99* (2017), as Warden Tuggs - *Vengeance: A Love Story* (2017), as Jay Kirkpatrick - *A Series of Unfortunate Events* (2017), series, as Sir — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-series-of-unfortunate-events.md) - *Andy Warhol, Fluorescent* (2016), as (archive footage) - *Blood & Oil* (2015), series, as Hap Briggs - *Alex of Venice* (2015), as Roger - *Cold in July* (2014), as Jim Bob - *The Other Woman* (2014), as Frank - *TripTank* (2014), series, as Johnny Bahama (voice) - *From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series* (2014), series, as Earl McGraw - *From Dusk Till Dawn: Making the First Season* (2014), Actor - *Django Unchained* (2012), as Spencer "Big Daddy" Bennett — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/django-unchained.md) - *Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star* (2011), as Miles Deep - *A Good Old Fashioned Orgy* (2011), as Jerry Keppler (uncredited) - *Machete* (2010), as Von Jackson - *When in Rome* (2010), as Beth's Dad - *Glenn Martin, DDS* (2009), series, as Grandpa Whitey (voice) - *Eastbound & Down* (2009), series, as Eduardo Sanchez — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/eastbound-and-down.md) - *Torno a vivere da solo* (2008), as Nico - *Long Flat Balls II* (2008), as Admiral Burnett - *Bastardi* (2008), as Sante Patene' - *Moondance Alexander* (2007), as Dante - *Just Legal* (2005), series, as Grant Cooper - *Word of Honor* (2003), as Benjamin Tyson - *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Defense Attorney - *Goodbye Lover* (1999), as Ben Dunmore - *Tin Cup* (1996), as David Simms - *Nash Bridges* (1996), series, as Nash Bridges - *In Pursuit of Honor* (1995), as Sgt. John Libbey - *The Marshal* (1995), series, Director, Executive Producer - *Guilty as Sin* (1993), as David Greenhill - *Born Yesterday* (1993), as Paul Verrall - *In the Company of Darkness* (1993), Executive Producer - *Paradise* (1991), as Ben Reed - *Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man* (1991), as Robert Lee Anderson / The Marlboro Man - *The Hot Spot* (1990), as Harry Madox - *Miami Vice: Freefall* (1989), as Det. James “Sonny” Crockett - *Dead Bang* (1989), as Jerry Beck - *Sweet Hearts Dance* (1988), as Wiley Boon - *G.I. Joe: The Movie* (1987), as Lt. Falcon (voice) - *Heartbeat* (1987), as Documentary Filmmaker · Writer, Executive Producer, Songs - *Cease Fire* (1985), as Tim Murphy - *The Long Hot Summer* (1985), series, as Ben Quick - *The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There* (1985), Actor - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Sonny Crockett · Director, Songs — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper* (1984), as Det. James “Sonny” Crockett - *Matt Houston* (1982), series, as Terry Spence - *Melanie* (1982), as Carl - *The Two Lives of Carol Letner* (1981), as Bob Howard - *Soggy Bottom, U.S.A.* (1981), as Jacob Gorch - *Elvis and the Beauty Queen* (1981), as Elvis Presley - *Elvis and The Beauty Queen* (1981), series, as Elvis Presley - *Revenge of the Stepford Wives* (1980), as Officer Andy Brady - *Beulah Land* (1980), series, as Bonard Davis - *From Here to Eternity* (1980), series, as Jefferson 'Jeff' Davis Prewitt - *The Rebels* (1979), series, as Judson Fletcher - *Tales of the Unexpected* (1979), series, as Reeve Baker - *Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill* (1979), as Cowboy - *First, You Cry* (1978), as Daniel Easton - *Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold* (1978), as Gunther - *The Two-Five* (1978), as Charlie Morgan - *Ski Lift to Death* (1978), as Mike Sloan - *What Really Happened to the Class of '65?* (1977), series, as Edgar - *Big Hawaii* (1977), series, as Gandy - *Cover Girls* (1977), as Johnny Wilson - *Nashville 99* (1977), series, as Mike Watling - *Eight Is Enough* (1977), series, as Doug - *The City* (1977), as Sgt. Brian Scott - *Law of the Land* (1976), as Quirt - *Return to Macon County* (1975), as Harley McKay - *A Boy and His Dog* (1975), as Vic - *The Harrad Experiment* (1973), as Stanley Cole - *Police Story* (1973), series, as Lee Morgan - *Barnaby Jones* (1973), series, as Wayne Lockwood - *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, as Off. Larry Wilson - *Lollipops and Roses* (1971), as Frank - *Zachariah* (1971), as Matthew - *The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart* (1970), as Stanley Sweetheart - *Fortune and Men's Eyes* (1969), as Smitty - *Encore*, Actor - *Southern Discomfort*, series, as Bob Dobson ## Gallery - ![Don Johnson](https://film.one/media/person/132590/gallery-f7751dd621c5.jpg) Don Johnson — Peter Kudlacz, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Don_Johnson_TIFF_2019.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Don Johnson, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher watch Bruce Willis get his star on The Hollywood walk of Fame. (2006)](https://film.one/media/person/132590/gallery-ee71eb480c8d.jpg) Don Johnson, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher watch Bruce Willis get his star on The Hollywood walk of Fame. (2006) — Ton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/DemiAshtonDon06.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Don Johnson at the Governor's Ball after the telecast of the 61st Annual Academy Awards, 1989.](https://film.one/media/person/132590/gallery-dfcc0fac5d61.jpg) Don Johnson at the Governor's Ball after the telecast of the 61st Annual Academy Awards, 1989. — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Don_Johnson-1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Don Johnson at 61st Annual Academy Awards, 1989.](https://film.one/media/person/132590/gallery-881d849d1c20.jpg) Don Johnson at 61st Annual Academy Awards, 1989. — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Don_Johnson-2.jpg/1280px-Don_Johnson-2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Don Johnson](https://film.one/media/person/132590/gallery-44b3da92a217.jpg) Don Johnson — Image via TMDB - ![Don Johnson](https://film.one/media/person/132590/gallery-408fe1d59d59.jpg) Don Johnson — Image via TMDB - ![Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson at the APLA benefit, 9/7/90 (revised) (1990)](https://film.one/media/person/132590/gallery-8aa8e1d798ce.jpg) Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson at the APLA benefit, 9/7/90 (revised) (1990) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Don_Johnson_%26_Melanie_Griffith.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Don Johnson at the Governor's Ball following the telecast of the 61st Annual Academy Awards, 1989. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post ](https://film.one/media/person/132590/gallery-a95d51ed7dfb.jpg) Don Johnson at the Governor's Ball following the telecast of the 61st Annual Academy Awards, 1989. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Don_Johnson_%282071232649%29.jpg/1280px-Don_Johnson_%282071232649%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Golden Globes — 1 won - 1985: Best Actor – Television Series Drama (won), for *Miami Vice* ### Other awards — 1 won - Saturn Awards 1975: Saturn Awards (won), for *A Boy and His Dog* *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/don-johnson