Comedian and actor Anthony "A.J." Johnson, known for his roles in the Friday and House Party comedy franchises, has reportedly passed away. The star was 55 at the time of his death.
According to TMZ, Johnson’s nephew said that the actor “was found lifeless in a store earlier this month in Los Angeles and rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”
Johnson's first notable screen appearance was in 1990s hit House Party. He became a fixture on HBO's Def Comedy Jam, and furthered his film career with appearances in Menace II Society, BAPs, House Party 3, Friday, How to Be a Player and I Got the Hook Up, and Lethal Weapon 3.
Johnson also appeared on television in shows like “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Martin,” “South Central,” “The Parent ‘Hood,” “Moesha,” “Malcom & Eddie” and “The Jamie Foxx Show.”
As news of his death spread, social media reacted strongly.
RIP Anthony Johnson 🙏….some of the most quotable lines in the original Friday were his pic.twitter.com/ieLJC1wvWu
— Wu-Tang Is For The Children (@WUTangKids) September 20, 2021
Anthony Johnson was a very funny guy, he was in B.A.P.S with Halle Berry & Natalie Desselle ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/42mjX9snMC
— Branden Lee (@urbanzosf) September 20, 2021
RIP Anthony Johnson a.ka. AJ Johnson. He was a funny comedian and has been in a lot of memorable roles. Remember he was Shenana boyfriend La Fonne on Martin pic.twitter.com/tRUffW9tKW
— Mrs. Beebody 🐝 (@MrsBeebody) September 20, 2021
RIP Anthony Johnson, best known for his role as Ezal from Friday, films like I Got The Hook Up, BAPS, and Player’s Club. Here’s a clip of AJ Johnson on Def Comedy Jam. pic.twitter.com/ncKtsbInza
— NUFF (@nuffsaidny) September 20, 2021