Kevin L. Johnson

Acting

Kevin L. Johnson

Born
(age 44)
Birthplace
Clemson, South Carolina, USA
Credits
24 titles

Biography

Veteran actor Kevin L. Johnson can be seen across both television and film, but he is best known for his role as 'Sam Dermody' in Netflix's hit series "Ozark" starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney. What originally started as a two-episode role in season one, led instead to Johnson portraying 'Sam' each additional season, including the fourth and final. Johnson will soon be seen as 'Eric' in Netlflix's "Florida Man," executive produced by Bateman and will guest star in the hit cult show "Stranger Things."

Johnson fell in love with acting while attending Clemson University. As an assignment for his newly declared English major, Kevin was required to see "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The grand production impacted him so greatly that he registered for acting classes the next day for the following semester. After he had a bit of formal acting training that helped the self-proclaimed introvert break out of his shell, Johnson had the confidence to audition for his first role at Clemson. While the audition didn't result in a part, Kevin became a part of the tech crew, furthering his knowledge of production.

Before long Johnson won the lead role as 'Sam,' the pickle maker seeking a love match in "Crossing Delancey" at Clemson Little Theatre, before starring as 'Oswald' in a Shakespeare in the Park production of "King Lear." Additional theatre credits include the lead role of 'Willy Wonka' in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at Easley Foothills Playhouse, 'Bardolph' in "Henry V" at Brooks Theater at Clemson University and 'Wally' in "1940's Radio Hour" at Clemson Little Theatre. Kevin also discovered that he could sing while attending auditions during college. Although his mother had been a country singer, Johnson hadn't tested his own voice until he checked out a cast recording of "Urinetown" from the library to prepare for an audition.

Kevin graduated from Clemson University with a degree in English and a minor in advertising before landing an agent. He then began booking roles in commercials, including the North Carolina State Lottery and Burger King, and numerous short films. Johnson landed his first television role on the hit series "One Tree Hill," an audition he almost didn't attend. He then went on to book his first film role in "My Redneck Roots" and his first lead role in the film "Destiny Road."

Johnson's expansive resume includes roles in numerous television series and films. His television credits include Cinemax's "Banshee," CBS' "Reckless," MTV's "Finding Carter," FOX's "The Resident," OWN's "Greenleaf" and OWN's "If Loving You Is Wrong." His additional film credits include "Prisoners" opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, "Careful What You Wish For" opposite Nick Jonas, "American Animals" opposite Evan Peters and "Blue Ridge" opposite Johnathon Schaech

Signature work

Known For

Acting credits 23

YearTitleRole
TBA I've Got You Film
TBA Who Cares About Christmas Film Dad
2026 Bite Size Terror Film
2026 Bite Size Terror TV (1 ep)
2026 Blood Behind Us Film Tomik Milligan
2022 Tales of the Walking Dead TV Joel (1 ep)
2020 Blue Ridge Film Lem Keagen
2019 A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Film Darin Scharf (uncredited)
2019 Jacob's Ladder Film Medic
2019 All You Can Carry Film Owen
2018 FBI TV Nick Foster (1 ep)
2018 American Animals Film Scruffy Counterfeiter
2018 The Resident TV Timothy Fleck (1 ep)
2018 9-1-1 TV Archie Mullin (1 ep)
2017 American Made Film Agent Horace Wainwright
2017 Ozark TV Sam Dermody (23 ep)
2016 Stranger Things TV Young Victor (2 ep)
2016 Greenleaf TV Julian Tancredi (1 ep)
2016 The 5th Wave Film Sniper in Woods
2014 Two for Tea Film Officer Collins
2012 Destiny Road Film Jeremiah
2011 Devil's Crossing Film Patrick
2003 One Tree Hill TV Cameraman (3 ep)

Crew credits 1

YearTitleJob
2013 The Jungle Book: The Movie Film Director
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