Reginald VelJohnson
Biography
Reginald VelJohnson is an American actor born on August 16, 1952, in Queens, New York, USA. Active in film, stage, and television, he has accumulated 102 known acting credits. He is well known for his role as Carl Winslow on the sitcom Family Matters, where he was the only cast member to appear in every single episode. In film, he portrayed LAPD Sergeant Al Powell in Die Hard in 1988 and its 1990 sequel, Die Hard 2. His television work also includes appearing in the Chuck episode titled Chuck Versus Santa Claus in 2008.
Career overview
Reginald VelJohnson is an American actor born on August 16, 1952, in Queens, New York. He has built a career spanning film, stage, and television, accumulating 102 known acting credits.
In television, VelJohnson is well known for his role as Carl Winslow on the sitcom Family Matters, where he holds the distinction of being the only cast member to appear in every single episode. He also appeared on the television series Chuck, specifically in the episode titled Chuck Versus Santa Claus in 2008.
Within film, VelJohnson is recognized for his portrayal of LAPD Sergeant Al Powell. He first played the character in the 1988 film Die Hard and reprised the role in its 1990 sequel, Die Hard 2.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
107 titles- Onslaught (2026)
- Celebrity Weakest Link (2025) as Self - Contestant
- Roswell Delirium (2025) as Mr. Brown
- Glisten and the Merry Mission (2023) as Snow Owl (voice)
- Ghosts of Christmas Always (2022) as Roy
- INVINCIBLE (2021) as Principal Winslow (voice)
- INVINCIBLE (2021) as Principal Winslow / Tether Tyrant / GDA Scientist (voice)
- Turner & Hooch (2021) as David Sutton
- The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee (2020) as Reggie
- The Christmas Lottery (2020) as Gerald Davenport
- Sydney to the Max (2019) as Principal Linkenberry
- Lazor Wulf (2019) as God
- Pride & Prejudice: Atlanta (2019) as Reverend Bennet
- Station 19 (2018) as Charlie Irwin
- American Idol (2018) as Self - Guest
- Easter (2018) as Alven
- Funny Story (2018) as Hank
- The Prayer Box (2018) as Billy
- The Flight Before Christmas (2015) as Joe
- Clarence (2014) as Willy (voice)
- Girl Meets World (2014) as Officer James
- Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero (2014) as Flannigan (voice)
- I Didn't Do It (2014) as Angel Santos
- 12 Dog Days Till Christmas (2014) as Art Stephenson
- Strike One (2014) as Judge Morris
- The Formula (2014) as Professor Millan
- On Angel's Wings (2014) as Coach Carter
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013) as Reginald VelJohnson
- Mom (2013) as Jim
- TRON: Uprising (2012) as Able
- The Mistle-Tones (2012) as Holly's Dad
- Air Collision (2012) as Bob Abbot
- Brother White (2012) as Hill
- Hart of Dixie (2011) as Dash DeWitt
- Marriage Retreat (2011) as Pastor Wexley
- Mike & Molly (2010) as Brother Heywood
- You Again (2010) as Mason Dunlevy
- Glory Daze (2010) as Stan Turley
- Jelly (2010) as Joe Woods
- Sex Tax: Based on a True Story (2010) as Merle
- Just 3 Boyz (2010) as Christopher
- Penny (2010) as Sergio
- Celebrity Ghost Stories (2009) as Self
- The Three Gifts (2009) as Rodney
- Steppin: The Movie (2009) as Mr. Shavers
- Childrens Hospital (2008) as Judge Lester Harrison
- Out at the Wedding (2007) as Dexter
- Hidden Secrets (2006) as Norman Wexler
- Waitin' to Live (2006) as Willard Loggins
- Bones (2005) as Dale Owens
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005) as Judge Melvoy
- Ghost Whisperer (2005) as Danny Small
- Dancing with the Stars (2005) as Self - Contestant
- Dancing with the Stars (2005) as Self
- Suits on the Loose (2005) as Brother Steedman
- Death to the Supermodels (2005) as Tom
- The Big House (2004)
- That's So Raven (2003) as Ambassador
- Eve (2003) as Rev. Everett
- ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003) as Self
- Monk (2002) as Todd
- In-Laws (2002)
- Like Mike (2002) as Mr. Boyd
- Crossing Jordan (2001) as Kirk Holden
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Philip Kane
- Ground Zero (2000) as Burt Klavan
- Twice in a Lifetime (1999) as Dr. David Bryant / Gene Fitzsimmons
- The Parkers (1999)
- Will & Grace (1998) as Dr. Kaplan
- The Hughleys (1998) as Rev. Bennett
- Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela (1996) as Reverend Shields
- Deadly Pursuits (1996) as Ed Conroy
- A Night to Die For (1995) as Self
- On Our Own (1994) as Nick
- One of Her Own (1994) as Detective Bob Hymes
- Diagnosis: Murder (1993) as Reginald VelJohnson
- Diagnosis: Murder (1993) as Dr. Sinclair
- Posse (1993) as Preston
- A Cool Like That Christmas (1993) as Dad (voice)
- HBO First Look (1992)
- Grass Roots (1992) as Det. Mickey Henderson
- The ABC Saturday Morning Preview (1991) as Carl
- Dream On (1990) as Santa
- Die Hard 2 (1990) as Sgt. Al Powell
- Jury Duty: The Comedy (1990) as Judge
- ABC Saturday Morning Preview (1990) as Carl
- The Bride in Black (1990) as Barry Gates
- Family Matters (1989) as Carl Winslow
- Family Matters (1989) Writer
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Mercedes’ Husband
- Turner & Hooch (1989) as Det. David Sutton
- Die Hard (1988) as Al Powell
- Plain Clothes (1988) as Captain Graff
- A Father's Homecoming (1988) as TV Reporter
- Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story (1988) as Assistant Coach
- Magic Sticks (1987) as Licorice
- Perfect Strangers (1986) as Carl Winslow
- Crocodile Dundee (1986) as Gus
- Doing Life (1986) as Taylor
- The Equalizer (1985) as Harmon Hunter
- The Equalizer (1985) as Arthur Williams
- Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) as Ambulance Driver
- Kojak: The Belarus File (1985)
- Ghostbusters (1984) as Jail Guard
- Wolfen (1981) as Morgue Attendant
- When Hell Freezes Over, I'll Skate (1979) as Featured Performer
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as BBQ Attendee (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Reginald VelJohnson best known for?
Reginald VelJohnson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Onslaught (2026), Celebrity Weakest Link (2025), INVINCIBLE (2021), INVINCIBLE (2021).
When and where was Reginald VelJohnson born?
Reginald VelJohnson was born on August 16, 1952 in Queens, New York, USA.
How many credits does Reginald VelJohnson have?
Reginald VelJohnson has accumulated over 107 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1975 to 2026.
What is Reginald VelJohnson's background in cinema and television?
Reginald VelJohnson is an American actor born on August 16, 1952, in Queens, New York, USA. Active in film, stage, and television, he has accumulated 102 known acting credits. He is well known for his role as Carl Winslow on the sitcom Family Matters, where he was the only cast member to appear in every single episode....