In the Vlad TV interview, Anthony Johnson also shared that his father had been a stuntman and had started the Black Stuntman Association in response to the common practice of white stuntmen doing stunts for Black actors. His father went on to be a background casting director, and Johnson took on small roles as a background performer. Eventually, he began winning larger roles, perhaps because of heeding his father's advice to "always stand out. Do something on camera to make people remember [you]."

Johnson also appeared in several music videos, including his memorable turn and first major on-screen appearance as "Sleazy-E," a disparaging parody of rapper Eazy-E in the Dr. Dre video "Dre Day." Johnson reprised the role in Eazy-E's video for "Real Compton City G's." Dr. Dre and Eazy had a well-publicized falling out after the dissolution of their legendary group N.W.A., and Johnson's parody became part of the ongoing argument. He told Vlad TV that Dr. Dre cast him in the video after seeing his performance at the Comedy Store; Eazy-E then contacted him to reprise the role because people had thought that it was actually Eazy-E in "Dre Day." 

Per CNN, Johnson is survived by his wife Lexis and three children. Tributes to the beloved actor and comedian poured in on Twitter, including from Ice Cube, who wrote: "Sad to wake up to the news about AJ Johnson passing away. Naturally funny dude who was straight outta Compton at the same time. Sorry I couldn't bring your character Ezal back to the big screen in Last Friday..."

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