Watch: Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie? Reginald VelJohnson Says…
When days go by, there’s still always room for Reginald VelJohnson.
And the Family Matters alum delighted fans when he stepped out for a rare public appearance at the premiere of Onslaught on Aug. 26 in Los Angeles, marking his first red carpet in two years.
For the occasion, VelJohnson looked ever stylish in white pants and a cream-colored tee bearing the image of a lion. He accessorized the look with a baseball cap, a cane and cow-print clogs.
While the bulk of the now 74-year-old’s biggest onscreen appearances occurred before 2000—with roles in films such as Die Hard, Turner & Hooch and Crocodile Dundee—he’s acted in a number of projects in the years since, last appearing in three episodes of the series Invincible.
But a newer generation of fans may know VelJohnson best from when he took reality TV out for a spin on Dancing with the Stars season 33, where he was partnered with pro Emma Slater.
While dancing proved not to be the TV alum’s forte, VelJohnson won over the hearts of viewers with his big smile and earnest effort before being eliminated in week three.
Most importantly, he and Slater developed a close bond.
As he told Good Morning America following his elimination, “Saying goodbye is going to be hard, because I love her.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Slater, who called VelJohnson a “forever friend” and said she planned to keep him in her life even though their time on the dance floor had come to an end.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
And beyond the joy dancing with the Die Hard alum, Slater relished the positive reception VelJohnson’s time on DWTS garnered.
“People have missed having Reggie on their TV screens, and this has been a perfect opportunity for him to do something regularly,” she reflected. “Every week he’s been gracing the TV screens, and a whole new generation of people have fallen in love with him.”
After all, for countless fans, VelJohnson has been and always will be policeman Carl Winslow.
It’s an association VelJohnson bears with pride, having kept his time on Family Matters and the people he worked with close to his heart in the decades since the sitcom came to a conclusion in 1998.
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In fact, when the Family Matters cast—including Jaleel White, Jo Marie Payton and Kellie Shanygne Williams—reunited for Entertainment Weekly in 2017, it felt like an actual reunion of beloved family members for VelJohnson.
“I love these people, every one of them,” VelJohnson said at the time. “I didn’t realize I was going to see everybody. To see them now, the way they are, is wonderful. It’s heartwarming. It makes me cry.”
For more cast member reunions that have warmed hearts over the years, read on.
Instagram / Fran Drescher
Lea Michele / Instagram
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Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Instagram / Lauren Graham
Instagram / William Daniels
Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com/Shutterstock
PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images
Presley Ann/Getty Images for Pair of Thieves
Instagram / Kevin McHale
MediaPunch/Shutterstock
Instagram / Shannen Doherty
Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock
Instagram / Michael Rosenbaum
Instagram / Danielle Fishel
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival
Instagram/Jennifer Garner
Instagram/Courteney Cox
Jordin Althaus/ E!
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for New York Magazine
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Coach
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for UCLA Semel Institute
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