Among the industries to be involved in, show business is the most cutthroat. Celebrities are always under the microscope of their fans, casting directors, producers, talent agents, directors, filmmakers, movie and television studios, and even TV and film production companies. Without nerve and talent, one cannot survive in entertainment.
Jamal Lloyd Johnson is a talented actor who is already on his way to stardom. Born in Los Angeles, California, to Willie Mae and Javis Johnson, he is an actor and producer who has performed in the theatre, starred in domestic and international commercials and print campaigns of Pepsi, Sprite, Coca-Cola, Gatorade, and Direct TV. He has also starred on TV shows that were featured in the CW and CBS and has done work in short and feature films.
He received much acclaim for his role as Devon in the multi-award-winning short film 2 Wrongs, which was directed by Andy Cruz. In his breakthrough project, he plays a single father who has a troubled past but dreams of a better life for his daughter. Through this film, Jamal showcases his ability to portray prevalent social issues on single parenting, racial profiling, and bullying. The story navigates the viewer in an adverse society and seeks to answer the question, Do 2 Wrongs make a right?. This film has won several awards, such as the Special Jury Award and Official Selection—World Film Fair New York, Best Dramatic Short Film—Blastoff 2018, Official Selection—SOUQ Film Festival 2018, and Award of Merit—Accolade Global Film Competition.
Being invited to take on the role was exciting for Jamal as he deeply related to Devon. He grew up at a time in LA where drug dealing and gangs ran rampant on the streets. During this time, he lost close family members and friends to drug- or gang-related homicides. He brought his personal experiences in raising his 12-year-old daughter as a single father to bring the role to life.
Before becoming a talented newcomer in the field, he was interested in the arts at a young age. To escape the many vices that permeated the 1980s, his parents introduced him to live theatre where his passion for acting blossomed. While in grade school, he was performing lead roles from typical holiday plays to Shakespearean plays. He also played in several dance shows. Jamal’s parents were his biggest supporters, especially his father, with whom he shared a special relationship.
As a standout high school athlete, Jamal played Division 1 collegiate athletics. While in college, he starred in several local commercials and voice-overs. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communications, he studied theatre at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
He never gave up on achieving his dream and continuously invested in his entertainment career. In doing so, he has sacrificed so much in his life—his first marriage, regular vacations, a house with a white picket fence—to achieve the acting career he has today. With numerous commercials, campaigns, and films in his resume, Jamal proves to be one of the most successful newbies that should be watched out for.
To know more about Jamal Lloyd Johnson’s acting projects, visit his profile.