Anthony Johnson (February 1, 1966 – September 6, 2021), sometimes credited as A. J. Johnson, was an American actor and comedian. He was best known for his role as Ezal in the 1995 comedy film Friday.

Career Born in Compton, California, his father Eddie Smith was a stuntman and a co-founder of the Black Stuntmen's Association. Johnson had credited his father for helping him enter the film industry, by getting him to work in film productions. He had also credited the comedian Robin Harris for helping him earlier on in his career as a stand-up comedian and giving him another chance even when he was jeered for his bad performance.

Johnson began acting in his early twenties. In 1990, he landed a starring role as E.Z.E. in House Party, after which he started doing stand-up in bars in Los Angeles. He later appeared in Lethal Weapon 3 as a drug dealer and in Menace II Society. His biggest role was in the 1995 comedy Friday, as Ezal, a crackhead and thief. He also appeared in Panther, The Players Club, B*A*P*S, I Got the Hook-Up, Def Jam's How to Be a Player and Repos, and in rap videos: in Dr. Dre's "Dre Day" (1992), he played Sleazy-E, a parody of Eazy-E, and he appeared again as Sleazy-E in the video for Eazy-E's "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" (1993), this time being assaulted.

Personal life Johnson was married to Lexis Jones Mason, but divorced in 2004. Anthony had three daughters, Antionette, Natasha and Bijan Johnson.

In July 2009, it was reported that Johnson had a heart attack at LaGuardia Airport while on his way to a comedy show. However, Johnson said in 2018 that it was instead a panic attack.

Johnson died on September 6, 2021, aged 55, at a Los Angeles County hospital, after being found unresponsive in a store. His death was publicly announced on September 20 by his representative LyNea Bell. Johnson died of multi-system organ failure. It also stated that he had contracted COVID-19 but was asymptomatic.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1982 Puss in Boots Field Hands TV movie 1990 House Party E.Z.E. 1992 Lethal Weapon 3 Drug Dealer 1993 Menace II Society Tony 1994 House Party 3 Butcher 1995 Panther Tony/Sabu Friday Ezal 1996 The Great White Hype Sultan's Valet 1997 B*A*P*S James How to Be a Player Spootie Hoover Park Chris 1998 The Players Club L'il Man Woo Doorman I Got the Hook-Up Blue Dark Angeles Drug Dealer / Attorney 1999 Rising to the Top Jailer #2 Video Foolish Himself Video 2000 Hot Boyz Pee Wee Video Baller Blockin' Himself 2001 O Dell 2002 On the Edge Hank Conrad 2003 Sweet Hideaway Coach 2004 Roscoe's House of Chicken n Waffles Roscoe Video Hittin' It! Cousin E 2006 Repos Tick Tack Video 2015 Office Staff AJ TV movie 2016 Undercover Princesses Dolph Thomas 2017 Candy Lollipop 2018 5K1 Wash Manager Hey, Mr. Postman! Cousin Tino Consequencez Detective 2019 I Got The Hook Up 2 Blue The Dummy O.G.B.C Hype Man Shorty Betta Go 2 Work - Grandma Huttie's Boyfriend Gold Grillz Short

Television Year Title Role Notes 1989 The Bold and the Beautiful Caterer #2 Episode: "Episode #1.579" 1993-97 Martin Clyde / LaFonne 2 Episodes 1994 Def Comedy Jam Himself TV series South Central Thug on the Bus Episode: "Gun: Part 1" 1995 The Parent 'Hood Tre Episode: "Welcome Back, Robert" 1996 Moesha G-Dog Episode: "Niece" 1997 Malcolm & Eddie Free Willie 2 Episodes The Jamie Foxx Show Lil Loc Dog Episode: "Super Face Off"

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