When Miami Vice began in 1984, Don Johnson was just 34. He played James “Sunny” Crockett, and women swooned for the good-looking guy in a pastel suit. Now, 40 years later, Don still looks great. At age 74, he credits his wife with helping him stay fit and healthy. Don said his secret is simple: “Marry right!” he told People with a laugh. “A bad marriage will age you.”
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Don Also Stays Active
Don, who married Kelley Phleger in 1999, has six children, including actress Dakota Johnson. He joked with People, “You have to exercise, and do it a lot,” he says. “How do you think I got six kids?” He laughed, “That I know of, anyway!”
He explained that in the 1980s, many people emulated his style, and he wasn’t always the biggest fan of that. He wanted to be an individual. He also worried that he may end up pigeonholed as Sonny forever.
“My goal back then was to not be Sonny Crockett forever,” he says of trying to navigate the popularity of the hit show. “I had seen the peril of the actors who were too identifiable with their character. I felt like I had to separate myself from Sonny so people could eventually see me as other characters.”
Today, he stars in Hulu’s Doctor Odyssey and says his career seems to have gone full circle. “I’ve always said you go through these stages as an actor: ‘Who’s Don Johnson?’ Then, ‘Get me Don Johnson!’ Then, ‘Get me a Don Johnson type!’ Then, ‘Get me a younger Don Johnson!’ And finally, it’s back to ‘Who’s Don Johnson?'” again.”
He admitted to People, “That’s just the way it goes.”
This story’s featured image is by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic.
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