When an actor's career is going well, one role leads to another. That's exactly how Reginald VelJohnson came to star on Family Matters.

Many people got to know (and like) him as police sergeant Al Powell, Bruce Willis' telephone buddy in the two Die Hard films.

"I never thought I'd get the Die Hard part," recalls Reginald. "At the auditions, I heard the other actors yelling and screaming in the role. I thought I'd go soft. I thought it might work."

Obviously it did! Reginald was well liked by everyone who saw Die Hard, including Family Matters co-creators Miller and Boyett. "They told me they really liked my character in Die Hard," recalls Reginald. "They thought I was someone the character of Harriette could play off of."

Reginald had already made one appearance on Perfect Strangers by the time Miller and Boyett decided to spin Harriette off into her own show. "They were just looking for the right chemistry for the husband on Family Matters," says Reggie, as his friends call him. With Reginald VelJohnson they found it!

Reginald grew up in New York City. From the time he was a child, no career other than acting ever entered his mind.

"At age six I made puppets out of socks and put on shows," he recalls. "I was in my first play in second grade." He continued to act in school productions throughout junior high and high school.

Reggie was graduated from New York University with a degree in theater. He began acting professionally in plays while he was still in college.

His first film was Crocodile Dundee, in which he played a chauffeur. He has also appeared in Cotton Club, Ghostbusters, and Turner and Hooch.

These days, Reggie couldn't be happier doing a weekly TV show. "To work on a character every week is a blast. We touch on certain things that speak directly to the viewers. It's nice that people are responding to what we're doing."

Because Family Matters didn't have a huge audience during its first season, Reggie expected the show to be canceled. "At first, people ignored us. I saved my money because I didn't think it would last. I thought we were good, but others didn't seem too excited. Our small following of loyal fans spread the word."

He credits the eventual success of the show to the genuine family feeling the characters have for each other. "We hang out with each other off the set. Also, we don't just play everything for laughs. Our show is mostly funny, but sometimes it has a little tinge of reality, a little dramatic moment to make it real, because after all, that's what you get in life."

You might be surprised to learn that off-camera, it's Reginald who's the biggest clown among the actors on the show. "Reggie keeps everyone loose," says co-star Kellie Shanygne Williams. "He's the practical joker of the cast."

As long as this teddy bear of a man with the big smile and warm heart continues to make people laugh (on- and off-screen), Family Matters should be around for a long time.

Chapter 8: JoMarie Payton (Harriette) >>