Anthony Johnson
Born: 1966-01-31 in Compton, California, USA
Died: 2021-09-05
Known For: Acting
Biography
Anthony Johnson (February 1, 1966 – September 6, 2021), sometimes credited as A. J. Johnson, was an American actor and comedian. He was best known for his role as "Ezal” in the 1995 comedy film Friday. Born in Compton, California, his father Eddie Smith was a stuntman and a co-founder of the Black Stuntmen's Association. Johnson had credited his father for helping him enter the film industry, by getting him to work in film productions. He had also credited the comedian Robin Harris for helping him earlier on in his career as a stand-up comedian and giving him another chance even when he was jeered for his bad performance. Johnson began acting in his early twenties. In 1990, he landed a starring role as E.Z.E. in House Party, after which he started doing stand-up in bars in Los Angeles. He later appeared in Lethal Weapon 3 as a drug dealer and in Menace II Society. His biggest role was in the 1995 comedy Friday, as Ezal, a crackhead and thief. He also appeared in Panther, The Players Club, B*A*P*S, I Got the Hook-Up, Def Jam's How to Be a Player and Repos, and in rap videos: in Dr. Dre's "Dre Day" (1992), he played Sleazy-E, a parody of Eazy-E, and he appeared again as Sleazy-E in the video for Eazy-E's "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" (1993), this time being assaulted.
Filmography
2022
- Boosters LA as Kenny
2019
- I Got the Hook Up 2 as Blue
2018
- Hey, Mr. Postman! as Cousin Tino
- 5K1 as Wash Manager
2017
- Candy as Lollipop
2012
- Recognize as Mouse
2006
- Repos as Tick Tack
- Master P's Hood Stars of Comedy as Self
2004
- Hittin' It! as Cousin E (as A.J. Johnson)
- Sweet Oranges as Himself
- Roscoe's House of Chicken n Waffles as Roscoe
2003
- Sweet Hideaway as Coach
2002
- On the Edge as Hank Conrad
2001
- O as Dell
2000
- Baller Blockin' as Fast Eddie
- Hot Boyz as Pee Wee
1999
- Foolish as Himself
1998
- Woo as Doorman
- The Players Club as L'il Man
- I Got the Hook-Up as Blue
1997
- B.A.P.S as James
- How to Be a Player as Spootie
1996
- Moesha as G-Dog
- The Jamie Foxx Show as Lil Loc Dawg
- The Great White Hype as Sultan’s Valet
1994
- House Party 3 as Butcher
1993
- Menace II Society as Tony
1992
- Martin as LaFonne
- Lethal Weapon 3 as Drug Dealer
1990
- House Party as E.Z.E.