Anthony A.J. Johnson, the comedian, and actor who starred in the films Friday and House Party, passed away on September 6 at 55. LyNea Bell, the owner and president of BH Talent announced his death.
“The world of comedy has truly been shaken, again,” said Bell. “Our BH Talent family is heartbroken about the loss of the iconic legend of stage and screen Mr. Anthony ‘AJ’ Johnson. He has left with us amazing memories of his laughter, dynamic acting skills, but most of all his enormous personality and heart of gold. We will be in constant prayer for his entire family including his wife Lexis, three children, brother Edward “Peanut” Smith, sister Sheila, and lifetime manager and friend Mike D. Please give them the time they need to process and grieve such a huge loss.”
Anthony A.J. Johnson’s cause of death
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office released its findings on Anthony Johnson‘s death today. According to the paper, the Friday and House Party actor died due to “chronic ethanol usage.” To put it another way, persistent drinking. According to the report, Johnson died in the hospital and had no other serious illnesses.
Before his breakout performance as E.Z.E. in the 1990 Kid ‘n Play comedy House Party, Johnson, who went by the stage name A.J. Johnson, starred in several tiny TV appearances (the actor was credited in House Party as Anthony Johnson; the film also featured actress A.J. Johnson). Johnson’s most well-known film appearance was in the 1995 Chris Tucker-Ice Cube comedy Friday, in which he portrayed the crack-addicted robber Ezal.
Anthony A.J. Johnson, born in Compton, California, began doing stand-up comedy in the 1990s and continued to do so as his acting credentials grew. Menace II Society (1993), B*A*P*S* (1997), and I Got The Hook-Up (1998) are among his other features, while The Parent ‘Hood (1995), Malcolm & Eddie (1997), and The Jamie Foxx Show (1998) are among his television credits (1997). I Got The Hook Up 2 (2019) and Office Staff (2015) are two of his more recent credits.
