Beloved actor Reginald VelJohnson, best known for his iconic role in the Christmas action classic Die Hard, was seen enjoying a relaxed walk near his Los Angeles home on December 11. The 73-year-old star was accompanied by his four pugs and a male friend, who helped adjust his headphones while his hands were occupied with the dogs' leashes.
From Ghostbusters to Hollywood Fame
VelJohnson's career began with a series of small but memorable parts. His early credits include playing a corrections officer in the 1984 supernatural comedy Ghostbusters, a heroic limo driver in Crocodile Dundee (1986), and Detective David Sutton alongside Tom Hanks in Turner & Hooch (1989).
However, his big break came in 1988 when he was cast as Sergeant Al Powell in Die Hard. Originally, producers considered bigger names like Gene Hackman for the role, but VelJohnson's performance as the moral compass to Bruce Willis's John McClane proved perfect. The role catapulted him into the spotlight and he reprised the character in Die Hard 2.
Television Stardom and a Private Life
Following his film success, VelJohnson landed the lead role of police officer and family patriarch Carl Winslow on the hit ABC sitcom Family Matters. The show, which followed a Black middle-class family in Chicago, ran for nine seasons and 215 episodes, becoming one of the longest-running live-action sitcoms with a predominantly Black cast.
Despite decades in Hollywood, VelJohnson has maintained a fiercely private personal life. He has no known spouse or children and largely avoids the spotlight. In 2017, he was even the subject of a false online death hoax.
Recent Appearances and Scandal Denial
In recent years, VelJohnson has focused on guest appearances and voice work. He made a surprise appearance on the 2024 season of Dancing with the Stars, though was eliminated in the second week.
More controversially, in September 2024, the actor was drawn into the scandal surrounding rap mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Comedian Luen Cannon alleged VelJohnson had attended Combs's notorious 'Freak Off' parties. VelJohnson forcefully denied these claims to TMZ, stating, "That's all bulls**t. I don't know that man, never met him."
During his recent LA stroll, the actor cut a casual figure in a brown short-sleeved sweater, black joggers, and slides, focused on the simple pleasure of walking his dogs, far removed from the Hollywood rumour mill.
