Vernee Watson-Johnson

Actress

Birthday January 14, 1954

Birth Sign Capricorn

Birthplace New York City, U.S.

Age 70 years old

Nationality United States

#20519 Most Popular

1949

Vernee Christell Johnson (née Watson; born September 28, 1949) is an American actress, author, and acting coach.

1970

Beginning in the mid-1970s, Watson-Johnson appeared in several TV commercials for various national brands, including McDonald's, Polaroid, Kellogg's, Pillsbury, Lysol, Taco Bell, IBM and Procter & Gamble.

As a voice actress, she has been tied to Hanna-Barbera Productions and Warner Bros. Animation with roles in shows such as Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, Laff-A-Lympics, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, Animaniacs, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond, as well as the feature film The Ant Bully, and several video games related to these productions.

1972

Watson-Johnson played Blue's love interest in the 1972 film Trick Baby.

1975

Watson-Johnson is best known for her recurring roles as Vernajean Williams on Welcome Back, Kotter (1975–1979) and as Viola "Vy" Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996), playing the mother of Will Smith's character.

She is often featured in guest or recurring roles as a nurse.

She is currently playing Aunt Stella Henry on General Hospital and Gloria Tyler (the head nurse) on Bob Hearts Abishola.

Vernee Christell Watson was born in New York City, where she was also raised.

She graduated from Cathedral High School and New York University with a major in drama.

She began her professional career at age 17 with the Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble in Manhattan and would tour with the group for five years.

1976

Her first marriage was to Joe Duckett from 1976 until 1977, and was last married to photographer Van Johnson from 1979 to 1991.

1983

Watson-Johnson has a daughter named Sunde Jinia Johnson (b. 1983) and a son named Josh (b. 1987) with Johnson.

1985

She was also a regular cast member of the 1985–1986 situation comedy Foley Square as Denise Willums, the secretary for Alex Harrigan, played by the show's star, Margaret Colin.

She played a small role on Sister, Sister as Lisa's (Jackée Harry) best friend Patrice, and as the mayor's secretary, Lucille Banks, on Carter Country.

She also had a recurring role as "Birdie" on The Young and the Restless.

1991

From 1991 to 1992, she lent her voice to the show Baby Talk, where she was the voice of baby Danielle (played by Alicia and Celicia Johnson).

2005

In 2005, she appeared in the film Christmas with the Kranks.

In addition, Watson-Johnson has made appearances in episodes of television shows as The Love Boat, Hill Street Blues, Married... with Children, L.A. Law, Suddenly Susan, Dharma & Greg, The X-Files, ER, Days of Our Lives, Malcolm in the Middle, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Desperate Housewives, Ghost Whisperer, Benson, The Big Bang Theory, Good Times, Dexter, Two and a Half Men, Southland, Criminal Minds, A.N.T. Farm, What's Happening!!, Young Sheldon, Jessie, Mike and Molly, and several other series.

In 2005, Watson-Johnson was a witness in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial.

2006

In 2006, Watson-Johnson had roles in three films: The Ant Bully, The Celestine Prophecy and Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties.

2017

In 2017, Watson-Johnson was cast as Stella Henry on General Hospital, aunt of Donnell Turner's character Curtis Ashford.

2018

She won two Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series for the role in 2018 and 2019.

She guest starred as Janice on Peacock's dramatic Fresh Prince reimagining Bel-Air in its ninth episode.

Watson-Johnson has been married twice.