Don Johnson - Actor Profile

Don Johnson

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 15, 1949
Birth Place: Flat Creek, Missouri, USA

About Don Johnson

Donald Wayne Johnson (born December 15, 1949) is an American actor, producer, director, singer, and songwriter. He's best known for his role as Det. James "Sonny" Crockett in the 1980s television series Miami Vice, winning a Golden Globe for his work in the role. In 1984, after more then a decade of acting on television, Johnson landed a starring role as undercover police detective Sonny Crockett in the Michael Mann/Universal Television cop series, Miami Vice (1984-1990). Miami Vice made him "a major international star." According to Rolling Stone, "No one had more swagger in the Reagan era than Don Johnson." His work on Miami Vice earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama, in 1986, and he was nominated for the same award in 1987. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1985. Between seasons on Miami Vice, he gained further renown through TV miniseries such as the 1985 remake of The Long, Hot Summer. In 1996, he had a supporting role in Tin Cup, along with Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, and Cheech Marin. Johnson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996. He later starred in the 1996–2001 CBS-TV police drama Nash Bridges with Cheech Marin, Jeff Perry, Jaime P. Gomez, Kelly Hu, Wendy Moniz, Annette O'Toole, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe as his daughter Cassidy, and James Gammon as his father Nick. In October 2010, he began appearing on the HBO series Eastbound & Down, playing Kenny Powers' long-lost father, going by the alias "Eduardo Sanchez." He also reprised his role as Sonny Crockett for a Nike commercial with LeBron James in which the NBA player contemplates acting and appears alongside Johnson on Miami Vice. He had a supporting role in the 2012 Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained, playing a southern plantation owner named Spencer "Big Daddy" Bennett. In 2014, Johnson starred as the character "Jim Bob" opposite Sam Shepard and Michael C. Hall in Jim Mickle's critically acclaimed crime film, Cold in July. In 2014, he had a supporting role in the film The Other Woman as Cameron Diaz's character's father. In 2015, Johnson began starring in the ABC prime time soap opera Blood & Oil. In 2018, he starred as the character of Arthur, the love interest of Vivian, played by Jane Fonda in Bill Holderman's romantic-comedy Book Club. In 2019, Johnson played the role of Richard Drysdale in Rian Johnson's murder-mystery Knives Out; and starred as Police Chief Judd Crawford in the HBO series Watchmen. In 2021, he co-starred on Kenan, until its cancellation in May 2022. He also appeared in a Nash Bridges television film, with co-star Cheech Marin, on the USA Network in 2021.

Don Johnson Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Don Johnson reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Don Johnson's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 48% of Don Johnson's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains NBC 75th Anniversary Special, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Don Johnson Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Don Johnson's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Don Johnson has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Unit 234 Jules Average Similar →
2024 Rebel Ridge Chief Sandy Burnne Hit Similar →
2023 The Collective Liam Average Similar →
2023 Book Club: The Next Chapter Arthur Average Similar →
2023 A Little White Lie T. Wasserman Average Similar →
2021 Nash Bridges Nash Bridges Average Similar →
2019 Knives Out Richard Drysdale Super Hit Similar →
2019 Vault Gerry Average Similar →
2019 Dragged Across Concrete Chief Lt. Calvert Hit Similar →
2018 Book Club Arthur Average Similar →
2017 Brawl in Cell Block 99 Warden Tuggs Hit Similar →
2015 Alex of Venice Roger Average Similar →
2014 Cold in July Jim Bob Hit Similar →
2014 The Other Woman Frank Average Similar →
2012 Django Unchained Spencer "Big Daddy" Bennett Super Hit Similar →
2011 A Good Old Fashioned Orgy Jerry Keppler (uncredited) Average Similar →
2011 WWE: DX: One Last Stand Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2010 Machete Von Jackson Average Similar →
2010 When in Rome Beth's Dad Average Similar →
2007 Moondance Alexander Dante Average Similar →
2003 Word of Honor Benjamin Tyson Hit Similar →
2002 NBC 75th Anniversary Special Self Super Hit Similar →
2001 Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1999 Goodbye Lover Ben Dunmore Average Similar →
1996 Tin Cup David Simms Average Similar →
1995 In Pursuit of Honor Sgt. John Libbey Average Similar →
1993 Guilty as Sin David Greenhill Average Similar →
1992 The Grand Opening of Euro Disneyland Self - Host (US) Hit Similar →
1991 Paradise Ben Reed Average Similar →
1991 Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man Robert Lee Anderson / The Marlboro Man Average Similar →
1990 The Hot Spot Harry Madox Average Similar →
1990 Seriously... Phil Collins Self Super Hit Similar →
1989 Dead Bang Jerry Beck Average Similar →
1988 Mike Tyson vs Larry Holmes Self Super Hit Similar →
1987 G.I. Joe: The Movie Lt. Falcon (voice) Hit Similar →
1987 Heartbeat Documentary Filmmaker Hit Similar →
1985 Cease Fire Tim Murphy Hit Similar →
1985 Live Aid Self Super Hit Similar →
1984 Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper Det. James “Sonny” Crockett Super Hit Similar →
1982 Melanie Carl Super Hit Similar →
1981 The Two Lives of Carol Letner Bob Howard Super Hit Similar →
1979 Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill Cowboy Average Similar →
1978 The Two-Five Charlie Morgan Super Hit Similar →
1978 Ski Lift to Death Mike Sloan Super Hit Similar →
1977 Cover Girls Johnny Wilson Hit Similar →
1977 The City Sgt. Brian Scott Average Similar →
1975 Return to Macon County Harley McKay Hit Similar →
1975 A Boy and His Dog Vic Average Similar →
1971 Lollipops and Roses Frank Hit Similar →
1970 The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart Stanley Sweetheart Average Similar →

Don Johnson - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Don Johnson?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Don Johnson is "NBC 75th Anniversary Special" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Don Johnson acted in?

Don Johnson has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Don Johnson?

Other notable films include "Mike Tyson vs Larry Holmes", "The Two-Five", and "The Two Lives of Carol Letner".

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