Cherie Johnson


Cherie Johnson is an American actress, writer and film producer and author. She is known for her roles on Punky Brewster and the long-running ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters, where she played Laura Winslow's best friend Maxine Johnson for eight seasons.
In 2009, she wrote, starred and produced the independent film I Do... I Did!, playing Vivian. Johnson has so far produced eight films. In 2010, she made writer debut when she released her book Around The World Twice. In 2011, she released her second, writing Two Different Walks Of Life A Celebrity and Average Housewife. Her third novel Peaches & Cream is available. Her book Stupid Guys Diary was released in August 2013.

Background and career

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Johnson is of mixed African-American and Puerto Rican heritage. Johnson's beginnings in show business are attributed to her uncle, David W. Duclon, a successful screenwriter and TV producer who, before on, was known for his work on Happy Days in the 1970s. Duclon encouraged his niece's desire to act, and secured her an audition. In 1984, after two seasons as executive producer of NBC's Silver Spoons, Duclon successfully pitched a new pilot to the network about an orphaned young girl who is taken in by a curmudgeonly older man. The concept won the approval of NBC programming chief Brandon Tartikoff, who named the titular character, and series, Punky Brewster. Johnson was cast by NBC in the role of Punky's best friend, the character of which was modeled and named after herself. Punky Brewster was an immediate success among young audiences, and Johnson continued as the fictional Cherie throughout the series' run.
In 1990, Johnson began playing Maxine "Max" Johnson, the best friend of Laura Winslow on Family Matters, appearing in the recurring role until the series' end in 1998. Duclon was again her employer, as he served as one of the executive producers of Family Matters during Johnson's run on the show. In addition to her starring roles, Johnson has made guest appearances on The Parkers, and voiced a guest role on the Disney Channel animated series The Proud Family. She has also appeared on Days of Our Lives. In the early 2000s, Johnson began producing films. In 2009, she wrote, starred and produced the film I Do... I Did!. In 2010, she starred in three films Lights Out, Nobody Smiling and Guardian of Eden. She then signed on to appear in the romantic film Fanaddict, which was shot in 2011 and is slated for release later in 2013.

Writer

Her first novel, Around The World Twice, was released August 10, 2010. On April 14, 2011, Johnson also released a poetry book with her I Do...I Did! co-writer, entitled Two Different Walks of Life. Her second novel was Peaches & Cream, and her book of diary entries Stupid Guys Diary was released August 2014. "Little Cherie Dresses Herself" was released 2016. Writing has become Johnson's second career choice; she is also the Assistant Editor of Fever Magazine and was formally the Executive Director for Dimez magazine, and was contributing writer for Temptation magazine and Glam Couture magazine, where she did a monthly article titled "Cherie Picking". In 2016, she accepted a position at Fever magazine and will be writing the "Pulse" article.

Editor and co-host

Johnson is one of the writers and Co-Host of TV show "GirlFriends and Champagne" and is the Assistant Editor at Fever Magazine.

Personal life

Johnson joined Shadow Play Entertainment's literacy campaign, called "Take Time to Read", as the national spokesperson, sharing her thoughts on why reading is so important no matter what career people choose. She has said that her favorite artists are Prince and Dr. Dre. Johnson has also explained that she is a big sports fanatic; her favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and she is a fan of NBA player Paul Pierce. During an interview, Johnson described herself as somewhat of a nerd and a homebody and that she loves to read, write, paint, eat and travel. She also explained she doesn't watch any TV or many movies, but she loves music and her family. She has also stated she is somewhat of a "Twitter-holic" and is often tweeting.
Johnson spends her free time working with many children's charities and she is also on the Alzheimer's Association board.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1985Playing with FireEileen Phillips
1989A Little Bit StrangeTasha Masterson
1999Teaching Mrs. TingleStudentUncredited
2003MalibootyLady-Mix Tape
2007Dead ToneRoxyMain role; also co-executive producer
2007Killer WeekendReneeMain role
2008Cash RulesProducer
2009The IntrudersBernadette
2009I Do... I Did!VivianMain role; also producer and writer
2009RavenStarlaAlso producer
2010Lights OutDetective Monroe
2010Nobody SmilingJo
2010Guardian of EdenDestinyMain role
2011FanaddictBrendaMain role
2012One BloodSandraAlso producer
2013PlumScientist Tara
2013CrushEmmaAlso producer
2014A Place Called HollywoodRosieAlso producer
2014Who Can I Run ToTrishaMain role
2014Signed, Sealed & DeliveredMain role
2016Behind Da PoleMichelleIn post-production

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984–1988Punky BrewsterCherie Johnson85 episodes
1985It's Punky BrewsterCherie JohnsonVoice role
1985Days of Our LivesLatoya Preston
1990–1998Family MattersMaxine Johnson58 episodes
1996Goode BehaviorUnknown3 episodes
1999–2002The ParkersTiffany3 episodes
2005Eve''AngelaEpisode: "If the Shrew Fits"

Writings