Cherie Johnson

Cherie Johnson

Johnson in 2010
Born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation Actress, writer, film producer, author
Years active 1982–present
Children 2
Website http://www.cheriej.com

Cherie Johnson is an American actress, writer and film producer and author. She is known for her roles on Punky Brewster (as Punky's best friend Cherie) and the long-running ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters, where she played Laura Winslow's best friend Maxine "Max" Johnson for eight seasons (1990–98).

In 2009, she wrote, starred and produced the independent film I Do... I Did!, playing Vivian. Johnson has so far produced eight films.[1] In 2010, she made writer debut when she released her book Around The World Twice. In 2011, she released her second, writing Two Different Walks Of Life A Celebrity and Average Housewife. Her third novel Peaches & Cream is available. Her book Stupid Guys Diary was released in August 2013.

Background and career

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Johnson is of African American and Puerto Rican descent. Johnson's beginnings in show business are attributed to her uncle, David W. Duclon, a successful screenwriter and TV producer who, early on, was known for his work on Happy Days in the 1970s. Duclon encouraged his niece's desire to act, and secured her an audition. In 1984, after two seasons as executive producer of NBC's Silver Spoons, Duclon successfully pitched a new pilot to the network about an orphaned young girl who is taken in by a curmudgeonly older man. The concept won the approval of NBC programming chief Brandon Tartikoff, who named the titular character, and series, Punky Brewster (after a girl he had known in his youth). Johnson was cast by NBC in the role of Punky's (Soleil Moon Frye) best friend, the character of which was modeled and named after herself. Punky Brewster was an immediate success among young audiences, and Johnson continued as the fictional Cherie throughout the series' run (1984–86 on NBC, and 1987–88 in first-run syndication).

In 1990, Johnson began playing Maxine "Max" Johnson, the best friend of Laura Winslow (Kellie Shanygne Williams) on Family Matters, appearing in the recurring role until the series' end in 1998. Duclon was again her employer, as he served as one of the executive producers of Family Matters during Johnson's run on the show. In addition to her starring roles, Johnson has made guest appearances on The Parkers, and performed a vocal guest role on The Proud Family. She has also appeared on Days of Our Lives. In the early 2000s, Johnson began producing films. In 2009, she wrote, starred and produced the film I Do... I Did!. In 2010, she starred in the films Lights Out, Nobody Smiling and Guardian of Eden. She then signed on to appear in the romantic film Fanaddict, which was shot in 2011 and is slated for release later in 2013.

Writer

Her first novel, Around The World Twice, was released August 10, 2010. On April 14, 2011, Johnson also released a poetry book with her I Do...I Did! co-writer, entitled Two Different Walks of Life. Her sophomore novel was Peaches & Cream, and her newest book of diary entries Stupid Guys Diary was released August 2014 . Writing has become Johnson's second career choice; she is also the Executive Director for Dimez magazine, and a contributing writer for Temptation magazine and Glam Couture magazine, where she does a monthly article titled "Cherie Picking". In 2016, she accepted a position at Fever magazine and will be writing the "Pulse" article.

Editor and co-host

Johnson is the Editor at Large for "Success News" and that she also has a column in "Glam Couture Magazine" called Cherry Picking about beauty products. She has a monthly column in Dimez Magazine, Temptation Magazine and co-host a sports radio show with Penny Hardaway and Charles Oakley which is thebottomlinesportsshow.com.[1]

Personal life

Johnson has two daughters but refuses to release names or pictures of her in efforts to keep them out of the spotlight. She joined Shadow Play Entertainment's literacy campaign, called "Take Time to Read", as the national spokesperson, sharing her thoughts on why reading is so important no matter what career people choose. She has said that favorite artists are Prince and Dr. Dre.[2] Johnson has also stated that she is a big sports fanatic; her favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and she is a fan of NBA player Paul Pierce.[1][2] During an interview, Johnson described herself as somewhat of a nerd and a homebody and that she loves to read, write, paint, eat and travel. She also stated she doesn't watch any TV or many movies, but she loves music and her family.[1] She has also stated she is somewhat of a "Twitter-holic" and is often tweeting.

Johnson spends her free time working with many children's charities and she is also on the Alzheimer's Association board.[1] [1]

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1985 Playing with Fire Eileen Phillips
1989 A Little Bit Strange Tasha Masterson
1999 Teaching Mrs. Tingle Student Uncredited
2003 Malibooty Lady-Mix Tape
2007 Dead Tone Roxy Main role; also co-executive producer
2007 Killer Weekend Renee Main role
2008 Cash Rules Producer
2009 The Intruders Bernadette
2009 I Do... I Did! Vivian Main role; also producer and writer
2009 Raven Starla Also producer
2010 Lights Out Detective Monroe
2010 Nobody Smiling Jo
2010 Guardian of Eden Destiny Main role
2011 Fanaddict Brenda Main role
2012 One Blood Sandra Also producer
2013 Plum Scientist Tara
2013 Crush Emma Also producer
2014 A Place Called Hollywood Rosie Also producer
2014 Who Can I Run To Trisha Main role
2014 Signed, Sealed Delivered Main role
2016 Behind Da Pole Michelle In post-production
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1984–1988 Punky Brewster Cherie Johnson 85 episodes
1985 It's Punky Brewster Cherie Johnson Voice role
1985 Days of Our Lives Latoya Preston
1990–1998 Family Matters Maxine Johnson 59 episodes
1996 Goode Behavior Unknown 3 episodes
1999–2002 The Parkers Tiffany 3 episodes
2005 Eve Angela Episode: "If the Shrew Fits"

Writings

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Title of work Result
1985 Young Artist Awards Best Young Supporting Actress in a Television Series Punky Brewster Nominated
1986 Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress in a Long Running Series: Comedy or Drama Punky Brewster Nominated
1987 Outstanding Young Actor/Actress/Ensemble in Animation Voice-Over It's Punky Brewster Nominated
1993 Best Young Actress Recurring in a Television Series Family Matters Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 24, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  2. 1 2 3 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 4, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  3. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/Around-World-Twice-Cherie-Johnson/dp/0982944209
  4. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/Different-Celebrity-Average-Housewife-ebook/dp/B004WE0348
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIkONY5hsQE
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