Actor and comedian Johnny Brown, best known as Nathan Bookman on 1970s sitcom “Good Times,” has died at age 84.
Brown’s death was confirmed Saturday by his daughter, Broadway actress Sharon Catherine Brown, Variety reports.
“Our family is devastated. Devastated. Devastated. Beyond heartbroken. Barely able to breathe,” Sharon Catherine Brown wrote in an Instagram post.
“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.”
A cause of death was not disclosed.
Brown was also a talented singer who recorded “Walkin’, Talkin’, Kissin’ Doll” in 1961 and “You’re Too Much in Love With Yourself” in 1968.
Brown is pictured with “Good Times” co-stars Ja’Net Dubois (L) and BernNadette Stanis (R) on March 19, 2006.
Brown got his start on Broadway in the musical adaptation of the Clifford Odets play “Golden Boy,” alongside Sammy Davis Jr. Brown performed “Don’t Forget 127th Street.”
Brown was also offered a role in the Broadway play “Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights,” which was directed by Sidney Poiter and featured an all-star cast including Cicely Tyson, Diane Ladd, Lewis Gossett Jr. and David Steinberg.
Brown played a blind pianist in “A Man Called Adam,” in his first big screen film role which starred “Good Times” co-star Ja’Net DuBois and Davis Jr.
He honed his comedic skills on televisions shows such as “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” and “The Leslie Uggams Show,” which was the first variety TV series to be hosted by a Black woman.
A writer for “Laugh-In”, Allan Manings, served as a producer on “Good Times” and recommended Brown for a recurring role as a singing, wise-cracking housing project superintendent during season 2.
Brown, pictured with co-star Jimmie Walker, was promoted as a main cast member for the show’s fifth and sixth seasons, according to Variety.
Brown is survived by his wife of 61 years, his children Sharon and John Jr., younger brother Elijah and 2 grandchildren.
