Good Times actor Johnny Brown is dead at age 84, family announces on Instagram
- Johnny's daughter shared the sad news via her personal Instagram page
- The actor had a long career that stretched from the 60s to the early 2000s
- Johnny passed away on March 2 and his cause of death is currently unknown
- His daughter told TMZ her father went into cardiac arrest and collapsed shortly after leaving a doctor's appointment to have his pacemaker checked out
- He was taken to the hospital, where he ended up dying. Sharon called his passing a shock as the doctor's appointment was routine
Johnny Brown, the actor who made a name for himself as Nathan Bookman on the classic sitcom Good Times, has died.
His daughter, actress Sharon Catherine Brown announced the news on her Instagram account on Friday.
The actor passed away on March 2. His daughter began the post with his birth and death dates, writing, 'Johnny Brown June 11, 1937 - March 2, 2022.'
Rest in peace: Johnny Brown, the actor who made a name for himself as Nathan Bookman on the classic sitcom Good Times, has died
Sharon continued in her lengthy and heartfelt post: 'Our family is devastated. Devastated. Devastated. Beyond heartbroken.
She asked for privacy as the family takes times to 'process the unthinkable.'
'Barely able to breathe. We respectfully ask for privacy at this time because we need a minute to process the unthinkable.'
Brown continued, 'It’s too terrible. It will never not be. It’s a shock. He was literally snatched out of our lives. It’s not real for us yet. So there will be more to say but not now. Dad was the absolute best. We love him so very much.'
Announcement: Johnny's daughter Sharon asked for privacy as the family takes times to 'process the unthinkable'
Sharon told TMZ her father went into cardiac arrest and collapsed shortly after leaving his doctor's office in Los Angeles on Wednesday to have his pacemaker checked out.
He was taken to the hospital, where he ended up dying.
Sharon called his passing a shock as the doctor's appointment was routine.
Sad news: The actor's daughter Sharon Catherine Brown announced the news on her Instagram account on Friday; pictured in Connecticut in 2006
In addition to starring on Good Times Johnny was a musician who appeared on Broadway and was a regular on the show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.
The legendary entertainer was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and grew up in Harlem, New York.
Aside from his daughter, Johnny is also survived by his wife of 61 years, June, their son Johnny Jr., or 'JJ,' a younger brother names George and brother-in-law named Pat.
His final day: The actor passed away on March 2 and no cause of death was shared; pictured in Connecticut in 2006
Brown's career kicked off when he won an amateur night at The Apollo.
Following his win, he starred in a nightclub act with who would later become his wife, tap dancer Gregory Hines Jr., and drummer Gregory Hines Sr.
Brown was a mentee to Sammy Davis Jr., which led him to a role on Broadway as Ronnie in Golden Boy.
In 1966 Brown filmed the drama A Man Called Adam.
His most famous role: Brown was best known for his role on Good Times in the late '70s
He later made his way back to Broadway in 1968 where he starred in Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights, which was directed by Sidney Poitier, who also recently passed away.
A role as a waiter on a train in The Out of Towners led to a gig on The Leslie Uggams Show.
The longtime actor was on various late 90s TV shows including Family Matters, Sister, Sister, Moonlighting and Martin.
Heyday: Johnny was a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1971; seen with announcer Ed McMahon
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