Beverly Johnson Biography

Beverly Johnson (born October 13, 1952) is an American model, actress, and businesswoman. She made history when she rose to fame as the first black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in August 1974. A year later, she became the first black woman to appear on the cover of the French edition of Elle. She is currently the star of the reality series Beverly's Full House on the Oprah Winfrey Network which focuses on her attempt to heal the flawed mother/daughter relationship with daughter, Anansa Sims, who is a plus-size model.

Johnson was honored in 2006 at Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball along with Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Tina Turner and other female African Americans in entertainment, civil rights, and the arts. The New York Times named Johnson one of the 20th century's most influential people in fashion.

Biography

Born into a middle-class family in Buffalo, New York, Johnson was a champion swimmer in her youth and aspired to be a lawyer. She was studying criminal justice at Northeastern University when she tried her hand at modeling. She quickly landed an assignment with Glamour and began working steadily. Johnson would go on to appear on more than 500 magazine covers, including her groundbreaking Vogue cover in August 1974. Johnson's appearance on the cover changed the beauty ideal in fashion, and by 1975, every major American fashion designer began using African American models.

In addition to modeling, Johnson has also written a book, Beverly Johnson's Guide to a Life of Health and Beauty, and embarked on an acting career. She has also had roles in Ashanti (1979), The Meteor Man (1993), Def Jam's How to Be a Player (1997), and Crossroads (2002). She has also appeared in guest spots on several television series including Law & Order, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The Parent 'Hood and the Super Bowl episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun (1998). She had a brief singing career, releasing one album in 1979 on Buddah Records.

Johnson served for two seasons as a celebrity judge on the TV Land series, She's Got the Look, a reality series where women over 35 compete for a modeling contract and magazine spread. At the start of the series in 2008, Johnson shared that she and other models had suffered from anorexia and bulimia during her career. Johnson, partnered with Amekor, owns the Beverly Johnson Hair Collection, a line of wigs and hair products for the African American market. In 2010, she introduced a line of restorative and styling hair care products to Target.

Personal life

Johnson married real estate agent Billy Potter in 1971. They divorced in 1974. In 1977, she married music producer/publisher Danny Sims. Sims and Johnson separated in 1979 and later divorced. Their daughter Anansa, born in 1984, is now a plus-size model.

Johnson's acting career slowed in the mid-1980s as her personal life required her attention. Citing her supermodel obligations schedule, Johnson lost custody of Anansa to Sims. Johnson felt restricted from seeing her daughter with only limited visitation. She fought for custody of her daughter for years, spending nearly all of her money. She won custody of Anansa after her ex-husband's business ventures moved him to Europe.

In 1995, Johnson dated actor Chris Noth. The couple broke up three years later in 1998.

In 2005, former professional golfer Mark Burk moved in with Johnson. Burk was later convicted of making threats against Johnson when they ended their relationship in 2008. A lawsuit was filed in 2009 by Burk against Johnson for breach of contract.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Other notes
1976	Deadly Hero
	Emergency!		TV, 1 episode
1977	The Baron
1978	Crisis in Sun Valley	Beverly	Television film
1979	Ashanti	Dr. Anansa Linderby	Alternative title: Ashanti, Land of No Mercy
1980	The Sky Is Gray	John Lee's Mother	Television film
1990	Hunter	Allistar Lang	TV, 1 episode
1992"1993	Law & Order	Marcela/Salamotu	TV, 2 episodes
1993	Martin	Ms. Trinidad
	Loaded Weapon 1	Doris Luger
	The Meteor Man	Woman Doctor
	The Cover Girl Murders	Michaela	Television film
	A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Wicked Wives	Jane Marlowe Morrison	Television film
1994	A Brilliant Disguise	Barbara
	Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman	Mrs. Cox	TV, 2 episodes
1995	The Wayans Bros.	Miss Kita	TV, 1 episode
	Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder	Alana Durand	Television film
1996	Red Shoe Diaries	Lorri	TV, 1 episode
	Crossworlds	The Queen
	The Parent 'Hood	Mrs. Jordon	TV, 1 episode
1997	True Vengeance	Lt. Kada Wilson	Alternative title: Truth or Consequences
	Sabrina, the Teenage Witch	Fashion designer	TV, 1 episode
	Def Jam's How to Be a Player	Robin
1998	3rd Rock from the Sun	Prell	TV, 2 episodes
	54	Elaine's Patron
2000	Down 'n Dirty	Sandra Collins
2002	Crossroads	Kit's Mother
	Red Shoe Diaries 15: Forbidden Zone	Lorri	Segment: The Forbidden Zone
2010	Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns	Kate	1 episode
2012	Beverly's Full House	Herself	TV, 8 episodes

See also

• "Liberian Girl"