Catching Up With Don Johnson

[mvnyc]

Man of Steele: Catching up with Don Johnson  

 

 

 

USA TODAY catches up with Don Johnson.

 

(Photo: Dustin Cohen for USA TODAY)

 

NEW YORK — "We're in New York City, man!" says Don Johnson, as the blare of sirens almost drowns him out on top of the High Line, an elevated public park.

The man formerly known as Sonny Crockett is in his element, strolling and smiling and waving to a little girl who scampers by with her parents. Tourists stop, gawk, do a double-take and whip out their phone cameras. But Johnson, who's now watching his daughter Dakota's career blossom as she stars as Anastasia Steele in the upcoming film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey, is completely unbothered. He's been down this road before, and recounts a lesson he learned from Paul Newman.

"Paul wouldn't sign an autograph but he'd take a picture with people," says Johnson. "If you take a picture with them, they have it forever. They get to be with you for a minute."

Johnson knows a thing or seven about longevity and the passing of time. He studied acting at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and began making films in the '70s, but remains best-known to this day as perpetually tan and perennially slick cop Crockett on Miami Vice. And Johnson doesn't mind one bit.

He talks easily about letting go of grudges and emotional baggage, and freeing himself up for act two or three or four. "Even during the show, I was doing other movies and other things. I was able to start separating myself from total identification with the show. In the last three years, I've just become more available."

On his career: Johnson is having a moment, at the moment. He was the skeevy father in the hideously reviewed but financially fruitful comedy The Other Woman, and plays a good-old-boy pig farmer/private investigator in the twisty thriller Cold in July, in theaters and on demand now. "For me, it's not just about the script. It's who I'm working with," he says, adding that filmmaking isn't quite as glam or easy as it appears to be from a distance. "It looks like sunglasses and autographs, but it's a little bit more challenging. ... I like working. It's a wonderful gift to be able to do what we do."

 

 

 

 

Don Johnson may have made his name as Sonny Crockett on 'Miami Vice,' but he's not lingering in the past: "I don't have memorabilia junk lying around. Not a thing," he says.

 

(Photo: Dustin Cohen for USA TODAY)

 

On the appeal of the darkly hilarious Cold in July: When Johnson got to page 11 of the script and couldn't even guess how it would all play out, he knew he had to do it. Plus, his name brought a certain recognizability to a film that could otherwise fall through the cracks. "I'm getting to work with some really creative people. They're fans of mine from before," says Johnson.

On legal wrangling: Last year, Johnson settled a lawsuit with the company that produced his CBS show Nash Bridges, which aired until 2001. The battle was over royalties, and Johnson got his due. "It's more about for my children, my legacy, and what's right. ... It was a good day," he says.

On his family: Johnson has a mantra for raising and instilling a work ethic in his brood of six: Jesse, 31 (from a relationship with Patti D'Arbanville); adopted son Alexander, 28 (Melanie Griffith's son from another marriage); Dakota, 24 (with Griffith); and Atherton Grace, 14; Jasper, 12; and Deacon, 8 (from his current marriage to Kelley Phleger). "Slack is for rope," he says. And somehow, he's stayed pals with his exes, including actress Griffith — whom he married twice. "We all hang out. Melanie comes up and stays with us. We stay with her sometimes. It's a big, extended, happy family. Really cool. We all talk to each other. We're all very protective, too."

On being the dad of Anastasia Steele: Johnson and his daughter Dakota don't engage in much shop talk, and he has not read the sexy Fifty Shades of Grey, at her request. "She is a very independent little girl. She always has been. She was adamant on doing her career on her own, without any assistance," says Johnson. "She calls me for guidance in certain things. The rest of the time we're father and daughter, and that's the way we like it." Johnson, however, can't contain his pride in his offspring, calling her "gifted" and "painfully honest with people who aren't prepared for it, including me occasionally."

On any mementos from Miami Vice: He has none. Not a single flashy jacket or Ferrari Testarossa or laminated magazine cover from his TV heyday. Johnson says he's simplified and streamlined his life, getting rid of any stuff that could hold him back. "I don't have memorabilia junk lying around," says Johnson. "Not a thing."

Edited August 25, 2014 by mvnyc

[Matt5]

He seems a lot more free spirited these days - lovely to read . Thankyou         

[mvnyc]

The only things I remember him keeping from Miami Vice were the Ferrari Testarossa he got from Enzo Ferrari, one of theboats that all the main actors received and a print of the first page of the Pilot script that he had framed with "FADE IN" on it...

Edited August 27, 2014 by mvnyc

[Tony D.]

I wish DJ didn't try to distance himself from his Sonny Crockett image & see how much joy he's given to fans of Miami Vice for 30 years. 

[Tony D.]

Actually, Don IS Sonny, Nash, or whatever character he portrays!