Johnny Brown, fixture on ‘Good Times,’ dead at 84

Actor Johnny Brown, best known for his role in the TV series “Good Times,” has died at age 84.

His daughter, Sharon Catherine Brown, wrote on Instagram that her father died on Wednesday. She did not reveal the cause of death.

“Our family is devastated. Devastated. Devastated. Beyond heartbroken. Barely able to breathe,” she wrote.

Brown was born in St. Petersburg, Fla., but was raised in Harlem, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He appeared in the Broadway shows “Golden Boy” and “Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights” in the 1960s, then got his big TV break on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.” He was a regular on the show from 1970-72, appearing in 52 episodes.

His role on “Laugh-In” cost him the chance to play Lamont on “Sanford & Son,” a role that went to Demond Wilson.

In 1975, he joined “Good Times,” then in its second season. He played building super Nathan Bookman, who had a fractious relationship with the Evans family and their neighbor Wilona, often serving as the butt of jokes — literally. His character was derisively referred to as “Buffalo Butt,” which Brown didn’t appreciate.

“I couldn’t say anything because I have a wife and two kids to support,” he said in a 2019 interview. “Now at my age, I would have to say something.”

After “Good Times” ended, Brown remained a familiar face on TV, guesting on numerous shows including “Moonlighting,” “The Wayans Brothers” and “Everybody Hates Chris” and doing voice work for animated shows. His last credit was “In Da Cut” in 2013.

“So very sad to hear about the passing of Johnny Brown,” actress Holly Robinson Peete tweeted Saturday. Brown and his wife June were married 61 years and had two children, Sharon and John Jr., his daughter wrote on Instagram.