Don Johnson: The Star You Know And Love

So, What’s Don Johnson’s Net Worth and Salary?

Let’s dive right in. Don Johnson, the man who became a household name as James "Sonny" Crockett on the iconic NBC series "Miami Vice," has built a fortune over decades in Hollywood. His net worth today stands at an impressive $50 million. Don's career didn’t stop at "Miami Vice," though. He’s graced the screen in dozens of films like "Born Yesterday" (1993), "Tin Cup" (1996), "Django Unchained" (2012), and "Knives Out" (2019). He also starred in the CBS crime drama "Nash Bridges," which aired from 1996 to 2001. During his time on "Nash Bridges," Johnson earned a hefty $150,000 per episode. That's not bad for a day’s work, right?

But Don's talent doesn’t stop at acting. He’s also a singer-songwriter who released two albums: "Heartbeat" in 1986 and "Let It Roll" in 1989. "Heartbeat" even earned a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America in November 1986, and its title track hit #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. That's some serious crossover success!

A Look Back at Don Johnson's Early Life

Donnie Wayne Johnson, as he was born, started his journey in Flat Creek, Missouri, on December 15, 1949. His childhood wasn’t easy—he grew up in poverty in Wichita, Kansas, with his mom, Nell (a beautician), and his dad, Wayne (a farmer). Despite the struggles, Don had a creative spark from a young age. He attended Wichita South High School, where he played Tony in a school production of "West Side Story." That’s where the theater bug really bit him.

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After graduating in 1967, Don briefly attended the University of Kansas as a theater major but dropped out after a year. He then moved to San Francisco to study at the American Conservatory Theater, where he honed his craft and prepared for the big screen. It was a bold move, but it paid off in ways he couldn’t have imagined.

Don Johnson's Acting Career: From Humble Beginnings to Stardom

Breaking Into the Industry

In 1969, Don landed the lead role in a Los Angeles production of "Fortune and Men's Eyes," which opened doors for his big screen debut in 1970’s "The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart." He made his TV debut the following year in an episode of NBC's "Serge" and appeared in several films and TV shows in the 1970s. But life threw him a curveball in 1976 when his roommate, actor Sal Mineo, was tragically stabbed to death outside their apartment. It was a tough time, but Don kept pushing forward.

His Big Break: Miami Vice

1984 was the year that changed everything. Don was cast as detective Sonny Crockett on "Miami Vice," a role that turned him into a global star. The show aired 111 episodes over five seasons and earned 15 Emmy nominations in 1985 alone. Don even took home a Golden Globe for the show in 1986. That’s some serious recognition!

Post-Miami Vice: A Career That Kept Rolling

After "Miami Vice," Don didn’t slow down. He starred in "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man" (1991), "Born Yesterday" (1993), and "Guilty as Sin." In 1996, he landed his next big TV role as the lead on "Nash Bridges," a show that ran for 122 episodes. Don wasn’t just an actor on the show—he also served as an executive producer. A "Nash Bridges" revival was even announced in 2019, with plans to air on the USA Network, where Don would serve as both the star and a showrunner.

In 2005, he starred in the short-lived courtroom drama "Just Legal," and in 2007, he played Nathan Detroit in a London production of "Guys and Dolls." Don also had memorable roles in "Machete" (2010), "When in Rome" (2010), "Django Unchained" (2012), "Cold in July" (2014), "Book Club" (2018), and "Knives Out" (2019). And let’s not forget his guest appearances on "Eastbound & Down" and his work on HBO's "Watchmen" in 2019. This guy’s been everywhere!

Don Johnson's Personal Life: Love and Family

Don’s personal life has been as colorful as his career. He’s been married five times, with his first two marriages ending in annulments. In the early 1970s, he was involved with Pamela Des Barres, a famous groupie. In 1972, he met Melanie Griffith on the set of "The Harrad Experiment" and began a relationship with her when she was just 15. They married on her 18th birthday in 1976 but divorced later that year. Don then married actress Patti D'Arbanville in 1981, and they had a son, Jesse, before divorcing in 1985.

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He had a high-profile relationship with Barbra Streisand from December 1987 to September 1988. He later reconciled with Melanie Griffith and remarried her in 1989. They welcomed their daughter, Dakota Johnson, in 1989 but divorced again in 1996. Don was engaged to Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, his "Nash Bridges" co-star, from 1995 to 1996. In 1999, he married nursery school teacher Jacqueline Phleger, known as Kelley. They have three children together: Atherton, Jasper, and Deacon.

Don Johnson vs. Rysher Entertainment: The Syndication Royalties Lawsuit

In 2010, Don took legal action against Rysher Entertainment, the production company behind "Nash Bridges." He claimed they hadn’t paid him the syndication profits he was owed as a 50% owner of the show’s copyright. In July of that year, a jury awarded him $23.2 million. Rysher initially planned to appeal, but in 2013, they paid Don $19 million to settle the matter. It was a major victory for Don, proving that he wasn’t afraid to stand up for what was rightfully his.

Awards and Honors: The Recognition Don Johnson Deserves

Don’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 1976, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films honored him with a Golden Scroll award for his performance in "A Boy and His Dog." His work on "Miami Vice" earned him an Emmy nomination in 1985 and Golden Globe nominations in 1986 and 1987. He won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama in 1986. Don also took home a Bravo Otto Germany award for Best Male TV Star in 1987, a ShoWest Award for Male Star of the Year in 1988, and a TV Land Award for Favorite Fashion Plate – Male in 2004.

And if that wasn’t enough, Don added another title to his resume in 1988 when he became the World Powerboat Champion at the APBA Offshore World Cup. To top it all off, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996. That’s a lot of recognition for one man!

Don Johnson's Real Estate Adventures

Real estate hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Don. In 2006, rumors circulated that he was struggling to keep up with the $10.6 million mortgage on his 17-acre Aspen Colorado ranch. Things got dicey in May 2008 when a bank was reportedly just 24 hours away from foreclosing on the property. But with just a few hours to spare, Don paid off $14.5 million worth of debt, saving his beloved ranch.

In 2013, Don and Kelley purchased a Montecito farmhouse for $12.5 million. They put it on the market for $14.9 million in 2014 after finding a new property with enough space for their horses. It’s clear that Don’s not just about the big screen—he’s also got a knack for real estate, even if it comes with its own set of challenges.