---
name: "Reginald VelJohnson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/reginald-veljohnson"
fi1m_id: "reginald-veljohnson"
imdb_id: "nm0001817"
tmdb_id: 7672
wikidata_id: "Q470153"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "16 August 1952"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-04T23:28:41.423820+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."
---

# Reginald VelJohnson

## Identity

Reginald VelJohnson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/reginald-veljohnson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** reginald-veljohnson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001817
- **TMDB ID:** 7672
- **Wikidata ID:** Q470153
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_VelJohnson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470153, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001817/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7672

Actor. Born 16 August 1952 in Queens, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 16 August 1952, Queens, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1984–present
- **Also known as:** رجینالد ول‌جانسون, رجینالد ول‌جانسن
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (3), 1990s 64 (2), 2020s 66 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 72 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 4, Thriller 3, Adventure 2, Comedy 2, Drama 2, Action & Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,029m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_VelJohnson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470153, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001817/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7672

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Die Hard*](https://film.one/film/die-hard.md) (89)

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

## Fi1m on Reginald VelJohnson

> Reginald VelJohnson has spent four decades playing the decent man in uniform, first beside Bruce Willis and then at the head of a sitcom household. It is a small, steady thing he does well, and the films have mostly asked for nothing more.

Early in *Onslaught* (2026), Adam Wingard puts Reginald VelJohnson in the same building as Michael Biehn and waits for the audience to notice. VelJohnson is Josiah, one of the men who will spend the night in and around the place under siege, and the casting is doing most of the work: here is the policeman from *Die Hard*, here is the soldier from *The Terminator*, please feel at home. We did, for a moment, and then we felt a little sorry for him, because a film that hires an actor to remind you of another film has decided in advance not to find out what else he can do.

What he can do is fairly specific. He is warm without being soft, and he makes decency look like a choice a man makes every morning rather than a quality he was issued with. That was Al Powell in *Die Hard* (1988), whose pairing with Bruce Willis is still the thing most people remember him for, and it carried him almost directly into Carl Winslow, the father and police officer at the centre of *Family Matters* (1989–1998), opposite Jo Marie Payton for the whole run. The same year the sitcom began he was a detective alongside Tom Hanks in *Turner & Hooch* (1989), and he came back briefly as Powell for *Die Hard 2* (1990). By then it was settled: he was the sensible man with a badge.

He has noticed this himself, and put it more cheerfully than we would: "as long as they are paying me, I will play a cop until the day I die." Before the badge there were small parts in *Ghostbusters* (1984) and *Crocodile Dundee* (1986). Since the sitcom ended the work has been mostly guest television and voice roles, among them Principal Winslow in *Invincible* (2021–), a name that winks at the old character. The usual complaint is that two roles account for the career. It is true, and it is not much of a charge; the two roles are good ones, and the man in them has never once seemed to be pretending.

We scored *Die Hard* 89 and spent our words on Willis's vulnerability and Alan Rickman's composure. Powell does not get a sentence, which is roughly his lot. Someone should give him a part that needs him rather than one that recognises him. Until then he will play a cop, and we will be pleased to see him, and everyone will keep their side of the arrangement.

## Biography

Reginald VelJohnson is an American actor. He trained at New York University, where he earned a BFA in theatre.

He is known for his role as Sgt. Al Powell in *Die Hard* (1988) and its sequel *Die Hard 2* (1990). VelJohnson portrayed Carl Winslow in the sitcom *Family Matters* (1989–1998), appearing in every episode. His other credits include *Ghostbusters* (1984), *Crocodile Dundee* (1986) and *Turner & Hooch* (1989).

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

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Onslaught* (2026), Fi1m 58, as Josiah — [page](https://film.one/film/onslaught.md)
- *INVINCIBLE* (2021), Fi1m 74, as Principal Winslow / Tether Tyrant / GDA Scientist (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/invincible-2021.md)
- *Posse* (1993), Fi1m 58, as Preston — [page](https://film.one/film/posse.md)
- *Die Hard 2* (1990), Fi1m 70, as Sgt. Al Powell — [page](https://film.one/film/die-hard-2.md)
- *Die Hard* (1988), Fi1m 89, as Al Powell — [page](https://film.one/film/die-hard.md)
- *Crocodile Dundee* (1986), Fi1m 72, as Gus — [page](https://film.one/film/crocodile-dundee.md)
- *Ghostbusters* (1984), Fi1m 80, as Jail Guard — [page](https://film.one/film/ghostbusters.md)

## Complete filmography (95)

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

- *Onslaught* (2026), as Josiah — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/onslaught.md)
- *Roswell Delirium* (2025), as Mr. Brown
- *Glisten and the Merry Mission* (2023), as Snow Owl (voice)
- *Ghosts of Christmas Always* (2022), as Roy
- *Turner & Hooch* (2021), series, as David Sutton
- *INVINCIBLE* (2021), series, as Principal Winslow (voice), Principal Winslow / Tether Tyrant / GDA Scientist (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/invincible-2021.md)
- *The Christmas Lottery* (2020), as Gerald Davenport
- *The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee* (2020), as Reggie
- *Pride & Prejudice: Atlanta* (2019), as Reverend Bennet
- *Lazor Wulf* (2019), series, as God
- *Sydney to the Max* (2019), series, as Principal Linkenberry
- *Easter* (2018), as Alven
- *The Prayer Box* (2018), as Billy
- *Station 19* (2018), series, as Charlie Irwin
- *Funny Story* (2018), as Hank
- *The Flight Before Christmas* (2015), as Joe
- *Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero* (2014), series, as Flannigan (voice)
- *12 Dog Days Till Christmas* (2014), as Art Stephenson
- *Strike One* (2014), as Judge Morris
- *On Angel's Wings* (2014), as Coach Carter
- *Girl Meets World* (2014), series, as Officer James — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/girl-meets-world.md)
- *The Formula* (2014), as Professor Millan
- *Clarence* (2014), series, as Willy (voice)
- *I Didn't Do It* (2014), series, as Angel Santos
- *Mom* (2013), series, as Jim
- *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (2013), series, as Reginald VelJohnson — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine.md)
- *The Mistle-Tones* (2012), as Holly's Dad
- *TRON: Uprising* (2012), series, as Able
- *Brother White* (2012), as Hill
- *Air Collision* (2012), as Bob Abbot
- *Hart of Dixie* (2011), series, as Dash DeWitt
- *Marriage Retreat* (2011), as Pastor Wexley
- *Glory Daze* (2010), series, as Stan Turley
- *Sex Tax: Based on a True Story* (2010), as Merle
- *You Again* (2010), as Mason Dunlevy
- *Mike & Molly* (2010), series, as Brother Heywood
- *Just 3 Boyz* (2010), as Christopher
- *Jelly* (2010), as Joe Woods
- *Penny* (2010), as Sergio
- *The Three Gifts* (2009), as Rodney
- *Steppin: The Movie* (2009), as Mr. Shavers
- *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Judge Lester Harrison
- *Out at the Wedding* (2007), as Dexter
- *Hidden Secrets* (2006), as Norman Wexler
- *Waitin' to Live* (2006), as Willard Loggins
- *Death to the Supermodels* (2005), as Tom
- *Suits on the Loose* (2005), as Brother Steedman
- *Ghost Whisperer* (2005), series, as Danny Small
- *Bones* (2005), series, as Dale Owens — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia* (2005), series, as Judge Melvoy
- *The Big House* (2004), series, Actor
- *Eve* (2003), series, as Rev. Everett
- *That's So Raven* (2003), series, as Ambassador
- *In-Laws* (2002), series, Actor
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Todd
- *Like Mike* (2002), as Mr. Boyd
- *Crossing Jordan* (2001), series, as Kirk Holden
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Philip Kane
- *Ground Zero* (2000), as Burt Klavan
- *The Parkers* (1999), series, Actor
- *Twice in a Lifetime* (1999), series, as Dr. David Bryant / Gene Fitzsimmons
- *The Hughleys* (1998), series, as Rev. Bennett
- *Will & Grace* (1998), series, as Dr. Kaplan
- *Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela* (1996), as Reverend Shields
- *Deadly Pursuits* (1996), as Ed Conroy
- *On Our Own* (1994), series, as Nick
- *One of Her Own* (1994), as Detective Bob Hymes
- *A Cool Like That Christmas* (1993), as Dad (voice)
- *Diagnosis: Murder* (1993), series, as Reginald VelJohnson, Dr. Sinclair
- *Posse* (1993), as Preston — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/posse.md)
- *HBO First Look* (1992), series, Actor
- *Grass Roots* (1992), as Det. Mickey Henderson
- *The ABC Saturday Morning Preview* (1991), as Carl
- *The Bride in Black* (1990), as Barry Gates
- *ABC Saturday Morning Preview* (1990), as Carl
- *Dream On* (1990), series, as Santa
- *Die Hard 2* (1990), as Sgt. Al Powell — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/die-hard-2.md)
- *Jury Duty: The Comedy* (1990), as Judge
- *Family Matters* (1989), series, as Carl Winslow · Writer
- *Turner & Hooch* (1989), as Det. David Sutton
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Mercedes’ Husband
- *Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story* (1988), as Assistant Coach
- *Die Hard* (1988), as Al Powell — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/die-hard.md)
- *A Father's Homecoming* (1988), as TV Reporter
- *Plain Clothes* (1988), as Captain Graff
- *Magic Sticks* (1987), as Licorice
- *Crocodile Dundee* (1986), as Gus — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/crocodile-dundee.md)
- *Perfect Strangers* (1986), series, as Carl Winslow
- *Doing Life* (1986), as Taylor
- *Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins* (1985), as Ambulance Driver
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Harmon Hunter, Arthur Williams
- *Kojak: The Belarus File* (1985), Actor
- *Ghostbusters* (1984), as Jail Guard — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/ghostbusters.md)
- *Wolfen* (1981), as Morgue Attendant
- *When Hell Freezes Over, I'll Skate* (1979), as Featured Performer

## Gallery

- ![Reginald VelJohnson](https://film.one/media/person/103233/gallery-4d7da6e9b004.jpg) Reginald VelJohnson — Sidewalks Entertainment on Vimeo, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Reginald_VelJohnson%2C_2021_%28579134550%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Reginald VelJohnson](https://film.one/media/person/103233/gallery-4823c5966d92.jpg) Reginald VelJohnson — Image via TMDB
- ![Reginald VelJohnson](https://film.one/media/person/103233/gallery-d0a9983bfb19.jpg) Reginald VelJohnson — Image via TMDB

---
© 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/reginald-veljohnson