Early in his career, he modeled and made commercials. Made one of the first L.A. Gear commercials. He also appeared in a Pringles spot with a then-unknown actor named Brad Pitt.
Kenny Johnson is an American actor, best known for his role as Detective Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the CBS television series NCIS. He was born on March 21, 1954 in Washington, D.C., the son of a government employee and a homemaker. He has two brothers and one sister. He was educated at the University of Maryland, where he played football and studied acting. After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. He has appeared in numerous television shows and movies, but is best known for his role as Detective Gibbs in NCIS. He has been married twice and has three children.
Run the Tide, Solace, Few Options, Zzyzx, Aquaman, The Ungodly, Desolation Canyon, Going Back, Blade, Sins Of The Mind, Timmy Muldoon And The Search For The Shadoweyes Bandit, The Family Hour
TV Shows
Prime Suspect, Saving Grace, The Shield, Pensacola: Wings of Gold, Bates Motel, Secrets and Lies
On portraying Ham Dewey, one of the female writers on the show wouldn't even look at him: I would have to tell her, It's not me! It's this character! How do you think I feel? I've gotta play the guy! But it really, really makes you feel a certain way towards him. I'm not trying to make him a sympathetic character in any way whatsoever. I'm trying not to judge it personally. It's a very tough line to draw, because I'm married, and this is the exact kind of guy that I'd never want to be.
"People automatically say, what a sleaze. There is a sense of denial that this guy is in. But I know real cops. When they're paired up together, they get so close, you know? There's no excuse for it, but these guys do have a connection. They fight like cats and dogs, but when they get in a really messed-up situation, they're there for each other."
2
I love people! I am a people person. I am a very curious human being. I am very interested in what people have to say. I love cultures too, so I am always traveling. I am very thankful for anybody who follows anything I do. I never take it for granted that people are out there watching. I want to thank them for giving me the time.
3
In my work, I just want to tell a story and help people go on a journey. I'm glad any fans that I do have and I'm usually not aware of it until I get out there or read a message board. I want to thank everyone who follows my work.
Facts
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Fact
1
Has appeared in two different shows on the network FX.
2
Although he played the youngest member of the Strike Team on The Shield (2002), he is, in fact, the oldest.
3
Originally read for the part of Earl, in Saving Grace (2007) but ended up, playing the emotionally conflicted cop, boyfriend, and partner Ham Dewey, to Holly Hunter and her portrayal of Grace.
4
He originally auditioned for the role of ill-fated Terry Crowley on The Shield (2002) which ultimately went to Reed Diamond. Fortunately for Johnson, series creator Shawn Ryan was so impressed with his audition that the role of Lem was created especially for him.
5
He is dyslexic (according to an interview in the documentary "Under The Skin") a commentary on The Shield (2002) S4 DVD. He has worked very hard to overcome his learning differences. Although reading is still one of the hardest things for him to do he regards it as a challenge, and often times has someone read scripts aloud to him, then he learns lines very quickly.
Early in his career, he modeled and made commercials. Made one of the first L.A. Gear commercials. He also appeared in a Pringles spot with a then-unknown actor named Brad Pitt.
8
Played collegiate football and baseball at Central Connecticut University and sustained a cracked vertebrae in his back.
9
He was a world class arm wrestler until he stopped competing in 1995, although he will still wrestle for fun. The all-around athlete, Johnson is an accomplishes motorcyclist, avid golfer, has raced snowmobiles, ridden horses, skis, boxes, plays in the NBA Entertainment League, and appears in many celebrity sports invitationals and baseball events.
