- Wil Johnson is a British actor born in Muswell Hill, London, and famous for works like “Waking the Dead”, “Baby Father”, and “Emmerdale”
- The British actor clinched a role as Ser Vaemond Velaryon in HBO’s recently premiered Prequel of “Game of Thrones”, “House of the Dragon”
- The father of award-winning British singer, songwriter, and composer, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, is an advocate of color-blind casting in mainstream media
Wil Johnson is a British actor famous for his role as Detective Sergeant Spencer Jordan, in BBC One’s “Waking the Dead”. He is currently on HBO’s newest release, “House of the Dragon”.
The Father of 6 has a famous daughter who is a singer, songwriter, composer, and cellist. He is an advocate of color-blind casting in the mainstream media.
Who is The House of the Dragon Actor?
Wilbert Charles Johnson was born on April 18, 1965, in Muswell Hill, London. The British actor was raised in Tottenham. In his younger days, Wil hated anything that had to do with acting. He said being an actor in his neighborhood was not cool; everybody was about studying hard and getting a proper job.
Unsurprisingly, Drama was the subject he hated the most while in school even though his teachers thought he would be extremely good at it. He claimed it was lame and it involves drugs, sex, and rock and roll. For him, Football, girls, and getting a proper job were the “in-thing”.
In his final year in High School, someone who played a lead role in a drama dropped out of school, and so Young Johnson was offered the role. When he found out he was going to be acting alongside his crush, and even get to kiss her, Wil Johnson gladly took it with the mission to get the girl, and never looked back since then.
He attended Mountview Drama School in Crouch End, London, and later joined the Haringey Theatre. Wil also joined a dance group, where he learned ballet, contemporary, and break dancing and performed for about seven years. The British actor was also a member of the National Youth Theatre for 3 years.
The House of the Dragon actor made his professional debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1985, where he played a role in the play “Four Seasons”. After that, he began to get small acting roles in TV series such as “Casualty”, “London’s Burning”, and “Anna Lee” which aired in the late 1980s, and “Cracker” which aired between 1994 and 1995.
Best Works of Actor, Wil Johnson
Despite having started his career in the 1980s, Johnson began to get major roles in the 2000s. In 2000 he starred in BBC One’s television pilot, “Waking The Dead” as Detective Sergeant Spencer Jordan, a member of a specialized police unit tasked with investigating murder cases. He played the character until 2011 when the show ended.
Wil Johnson played the character of Dom Andrews in “Emmerdale”. His character was at the center of a tragic storyline that brought many viewers to tears. He was a father who had to make the tough decision of donating his sick daughter’s organs after she passes away.
In an interview, Johnson said it was the most difficult character he has ever played as it dug through his emotions. Being a father of six, he had to imagine it was one of his children whose organs had to be donated.
After playing the character, Wil said he had to discuss the issue with his children and his parents, he asked that if anything happens to him, his organs should be donated to someone who needs it.
Johnson has also featured in “Babyfather” (2001-2002), “Clocking Off” (2000-2002), “Outlander” (2014- present), and House of the Dragon (2022).
Wil Johnson: Wife and Family
The English actor is married to Camilla Johnson. The couple got married in 2014 after Wil divorced his first wife, Alexandra Spiegel. Wil and Alexandra got married in 2001 and divorced in 2014 after having 3 children and a stepdaughter.
He then married his current wife Camilla Johnson and the couple has 3 kids, totaling his 6 biological kids. Among his children is award-winning singer, songwriter, composer, and cellist, Ayanna Witter-Johnson.
Camilla is very supportive of her husband and his career. She is always seen supporting him and standing beside him at award shows and red carpets.
She never seizes the opportunity to show him how proud she is of him. Camilla is a baker and enjoys sharing her creations and recipes on her social media pages.
Interesting Facts about Wil Johnson
1. His Daughter is an award-winning Singer
As stated, Wil Johnson’s Daughter, Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a singer, songwriter, cellist, and composer. She started playing the cello when she was just four years old.
Johnson acquired a degree in Classical Composition at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in the UK. She graduated with a first-class degree and was awarded the Trinity Laban Silver Award in 2008.
She also earned a master of Music degree in Composition, at the Manhattan School of Music in the USA. In 2010, she became the first non-American to win first place at the famous Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre.
2. Johnson is an Advocate of Color Blind Casting
Colour Blind casting is referred to as non-traditional casting or integrated casting. It is casting without considering the actor’s ethnicity, skin color, body shape, sex, and gender.
The British actor thinks that there are a lot more black and Asian actors who are remarkable but have been sidelined because of their skin color or ethnicity. He is of the opinion that color-blind casting should be implemented more in mainstream media as it is practiced more in theatre.
Actors from different backgrounds have benefited from color-blind casting including Denzel Washington, who played a character who was originally described as white in “The Pelican Brief” (1993). Gina Ravera, a slim African American who played the role of a chubby caucasian in 1995’s “Showgirls”. Eddie Murphy who plays Sherman Klump in “The Nutty Professor” was previously portrayed by Jerry Lewis, an American comedian.
Other non-American actors who have benefitted from color-blind casting include Samuel L. Jackson, Will Smith, David Oyelowo, Micheal Clark Duncan, Priyanka Chopra, Jessica Alba, and Jamie Foxx among many others.
3. The actor received an Honorary Award
Johnson received the British Urban Film Festival honorary award from fellow actor, Charles Venn for his outstanding contribution to film and television.
The British Urban Film Festival was established in 2005 to showcase urban independent cinema. Its headquarters is in Greater London, England. He was awarded the honorary award after over 30 years of serving on film and TV.
4. The Father of Six Allegedly went Bankrupt in 2012
In 2014, it was reported that the “Emmerdale” actor was battling with his finances, which was the second time in three years. His money problem allegedly started in 2012.
It was reported that his girlfriend, Alicia Metcalfe ditched him after he went bankrupt and was not able to pay off his debts. However, this trying period did not last too long, as the actor got many jobs and was able to clear off his debts.
See Also: Dawnisha Halfkenny: 10 Unknown Facts About The Actress
5. Wil Johnson is a Character in HBO’s new prequel of Game of Thrones
The British actor will feature in the new HBO series, House of the Dragon, which is a prequel to “Game of Thrones”. Based on the novel by George R. R. Martin, “A Song of Fire and Ice”.
“House of the Dragon” is a story about events 172 years before the “Game of Thrones”. It portrays the beginning of the end of House Targaryen, the event leading up to the war of succession, known as the Dance of Dragons.
Johnson plays the recurring role of Ser Vaemond Velaryon. The younger brother of Lord Corlys Velaryon, and the commander of the Velaryon navy. The series premiered on August 21, 2022.
“The House of the Dragon” actor is a father of 6, who has created a name for himself in British Theatre and later in Film. As an advocate of color-blind casting, Wil Johnson is not only breaking ground in London but also all over the world.
Especially now, as he is featured in the prequel of one of the most watched series of all time, “Game of Thrones”. Will this performance be the Breakout performance that will earn him a BAFTAS Award and get him out of his financial woes forever?
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