Cherie Johnson
Cherie Johnson (born November 21, 1975) is an American actress, writer and film producer and author. She is known for her roles on Punky Brewster (as Punky's best friend Cherie) and the long-running ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters, where she played Laura Winslow's best friend Maxine "Max" Johnson for eight seasons (1990–98).
In 2009, she wrote, starred and produced the independent film I Do... I Did!, playing Vivian. Johnson has so far produced eight films. In 2010, she made writer debut when she released her book Around The World Twice. In 2011, she released her second, writing Two Different Walks Of Life A Celebrity and a Average Housewife. Her third novel Peaches & Cream is available. Her book Stupid Guys Diary was released in August 2013.
Background and career
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Johnson is of African American and Puerto Rican descent. Johnson's beginnings in show business are attributed to her uncle, David W. Duclon, a successful screen writer and TV producer who, early on, was known for his work on Happy Days in the 1970s. Duclon encouraged his niece's desire to act, and secured her an audition. In 1984, after two seasons as executive producer of NBC's Silver Spoons, Duclon successfully pitched a new pilot to the network about an orphaned young girl who is taken in by a curmudgeonly older man. The concept won the approval of NBC programming chief Brandon Tartikoff, who named the titular character, and series, Punky Brewster (after a girl he had known in his youth). Johnson was cast by NBC in the role of Punky's (Soleil Moon Frye) best friend, the character of which was modeled and named after herself. Punky Brewster was an immediate success among young audiences, and Johnson continued as the fictional Cherie throughout the series' run (1984–86 on NBC, and 1987–88 in first-run syndication).
