As we continue to mourn the recent loss of beloved actor, Johnny Brown – best known for his role as “Bookman” – we thought we’d reminisce about happier times, with this Old School fun fact.
Did you know that Johnny Brown has a daughter who was the star of a VERY popular Good Times episode? If you’re a Good Times fan, I’m sure you remember her role, because that episode was one of the most memorable ones of that entire season.
Johnny’s daughter was in the ‘Breaker Breaker’ episode. Yep, you’re seeing this right…she is none other than “Fun Girl!” Remember when she was the young lady in the wheelchair, who deceived Michael over the CB (the world’s first ‘Chat Line,’ so to speak)?
Her name is Sharon Brown and you’ve scene her on many shows and movies throughout the years, but one of my personal favorites was this “Fun Girl” role, because I always thought that scene was monumental.
You’ve probably also watched Sharon in other roles. She played the young “Louise” on The Jeffersons episode titled, “And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds.” She’s also starred in other TV roles on A Different World (as the opera diva Angela, in the episode starring Gladys Knight) Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the CBS soap opera Love of Life in 1971, and on the NBC soap, Generations from 1989 to 1990. Her film credits include movies such as A Chorus Line (1985), For Keeps (1988), Sister Act 2 (1993), What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993), Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) and Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999). Sharon’s also worked frequently as a stage actress on Broadway and on stage plays like The Wiz, Rent, Dreamgirls, and others.
“Fun Girl” is now 60 years young and is aging gracefully. She’s now a fitness guru and also still performs in theatrical plays and television projects. Go ‘head Sharon! I’m sure her dad was very proud of her.
Meet Her Mom
Johnny Brown is survived by his wife of 61 years, June; his daughter, Sharon; and son, Johnny Jr. Above, is a photo of Johnny and wife, June – Sharon’s mother.
Sharon Brown Gave Details On Her Father’s Death
In case you missed our prior report, Sharon here’s what Sharon revealed to TMZ about her father, Johnny Brown’s sudden passing on March 2, 2022:
Johnny’s daughter Sharon Catherine Brown tells TMZ, he was at his doctor’s office in L.A. Wednesday getting his pacemaker checked out, and shortly after he left he went into cardiac arrest and collapsed. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he passed. She says the appointment was routine, so his sudden death was a shock.
Soon after her father passed away, Sharon took to social media to pay homage to him with this touching message:
Sharon Brown- “Johnny Brown June 11, 1937 – March 2, 2022 … Our family is devastated. Devastated. Devastated. Beyond heartbroken. Barely able to breathe. We respectfully ask for privacy at this time because we need a minute to process the unthinkable. To articulate the depths of profound sadness.This is my mom’s husband for sixty one years, mine and JJ’s dad, Elijah and Levi’s Pop Pop, older brother to George and brother in law to Pat and extended family to Chris, Hihat, Damian and Derell. 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.”
Johnny Brown (Bookman) remained busy in television for 40+ years. After Good Times ended, Brown could be seen in such series as The Parkers, Everybody Hates Chris and the 2012 and 2013 films In Da Cut The Movie and In Da Cut.
Thank you for sharing your craft with the world and bringing joy to the homes of millions, Johnny Brown. Rest well king.
