Actor Don Johnson has opened up about the challenges he faced due to his immense fame during his time on the hit show “Miami Vice.” In an interview with People, Johnson discussed the measures taken to ensure his safety and privacy. He revealed that he had to isolate himself because of his passionate fans, and security was provided around the clock.
Reflecting on his experience, Johnson drew a comparison to Elvis Presley, acknowledging the difficulties of living a personal life under such intense scrutiny. However, he made a conscious effort not to let fame control him.
Johnson rose to stardom in the mid-1980s for his portrayal of Detective James “Sonny” Crockett on “Miami Vice.” While grateful for the acclaim he received for this role, he also worried about being typecast and wanted to be recognized for other characters as well.
Nowadays, Johnson is content with where he stands in terms of fame. He appreciates having more flexibility in choosing roles so that he can spend time with his family. Work-life balance is crucial for him as an actor because movies and television shows can consume one’s life entirely.
Despite no longer experiencing the frenzy surrounding “Miami Vice,” Johnson continues to work in the industry. He recently starred in Netflix’s thriller “Rebel Ridge” and will appear in Hulu’s upcoming show “Doctor Odyssey.”
Looking back at Johnson’s career trajectory, it began after dropping out of college when he landed a major role in a stage production called “Fortune and Men’s Eyes.” From there, he made appearances in various films and TV shows before achieving breakthrough success with “Miami Vice.”
In addition to acting, Johnson also pursued music by releasing two pop albums: 1986’s “Heartbeat” and 1989’s “Let it Roll.” His single from “Heartbeat” reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Recognizing his contributions to entertainment, Johnson was honored with a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996.
