Anthony Johnson

Known for ActingBorn 1966-01-31Died 2021-09-05Compton, California, USA

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.Read more

Movies & web series

Sweet Oranges

Martin

Menace II Society

Friday

Sweet Hideaway

Moesha

Lethal Weapon 3

Baller Blockin'

The Jamie Foxx Show

The Players Club

House Party

Panther

Roscoe's House of Chicken n Waffles

Foolish

O

I Got the Hook Up 2

Hey, Mr. Postman!

How to Be a Player

B.A.P.S

I Got the Hook-Up

House Party 3

The Great White Hype

5K1

Candy

Repos

Hot Boyz

Woo

On the Edge

Hittin' It!

Master P's Hood Stars of Comedy

Boosters LA

Recognize