By Mike McCarthy
Photos Taken At The Huntley Hotel
1111 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90403
310.394.5454
Photos by Diana Ragland
Assisted by Kim Kelly
Grooming by Helen Robertson for Celestine Agency
Styling by Andrew Cristi
Assisted by Carlos Leon & Annemarie Nava
Story by Michael McCathy
With the CBS hit show “S.W.A.T.” back for a second season, one of the key members of the team, Luca- played by the always fun to watch Kenny Johnson- has returned as well- and he is truly better than ever! A veteran of action drama television, the fan-favorite actor has been seen a part of several fantastic series’ over the past quarter century, having graced our screens time and time again as an absolute badass as he conquers everything in his path! And it seems as though no matter what role the gifted actor has taken on, he will always has a captivating smile on his face when he does it.
Before the seasoned actor joined “S.W.A.T.,” Johnson was part of two of the most popular shows on cable television, “Sons of Anarchy,” and “The Shield”- both of which were television game-changers, with the 6″1 star serving as a key piece of both with performances that cannot be forgotten- and the actor himself is no different! Johnson shows such love and honor for both of these roles that it would easily make fans want to go and watch (or re-watch) these iconic series’ immediately.
Training for a show like “S.W.A.T.,” takes a lot of extremely hard work and even longer work hours, and still, the dedicated talent doesn’t flinch at the responsibility. Possessing an incredible work-ethic, Johnson takes the fan-appreciation seriously- particularly the first responders and military fan-base that the CBS success attracts- and he does everything in his power to make sure that it looks as authentic as possible. When he prepares for a role, the devoted artist will spend as much time as possible researching and training for what may occur- and with Luca, he goes the extra mile. Johnson and the rest of the cast have gone through some pretty extensive training to make sure they give the roles 110% and that if called upon, they could step in next to actual S.W.A.T. members- even though nothing could match the respect he has for those who really risk their lives defending us.
But, that training shouldn’t be such a hardship since Kenny Johnson is actually an arm wrestling world champion! And when people think about arm wrestling in the entertainment world, it’s easy to think of the 80’s Sylvester Stallone film, “Over the Top”- which the “S.W.A.T” star also loves! Johnson has a lot of respect for Stallone, remembering that film fondly as it helped showcase how intelligent Stallone really is. Hear that, Sylvester Stallone? A second “Over the Top,” film needs to be made starring yourself and Kenny Johnson for the next world championship! Let’s get that made!
To see more of the talented star’s incredible work, check out “S.W.A.T.” every Thursday night at 10PM EST on CBS. For now, read below to find out more of what Johnson had to say!
WINGMAN MAGAZINE: Luca is so great to watch on “S.W.A.T.” How do you keep yourself grounded thinking about the stuff that you are doing in this show, knowing that all over the country there are teams like this doing it for real?
JOHNSON: I’m all about the integrity of what we do and these people and their cause. Bottom line, S.W.A.T. gets called in when the cops can’t handle the situation and need the best of the best to come in and use a mix of police and military tactical strategy. I love it! I like the physical challenge of it and what it takes to become a S.W.A.T. officer. I know a lot of cops and have hung out with a lot of cops. I’ve spent a lot of time with sheriffs and undercover cops. I’ve been around these guys and I kind of know what their about and I just try and make them look as respectable and good as I possibly can. As an actor I don’t like to fake things, so I will go through every bit of the training that they go through. The consultants on the show are a former S.W.A.T. member and a member of SEAL Team Six, and I spent seven or eight days with them, learning everything I can about approaching and entering houses, warehouses, power plants and everything in between. It’s like working with a drill sergeant because he wanted everything to be perfect. Slow and smooth is fast in that world. I spent a lot of time getting to the point that we looked as good on camera as they do, doing what they do. Even our guy Odie says that we look 90% better than some of their real S.W.A.T. guys. Obviously, we aren’t doing this for real and they do. They keep our streets safe and we just try and make them as proud as we can.
WINGMAN: Your character and yourself are both senior officers to speak to some of the cast. Do you look at yourself as someone that wants to teach the youth on set and take them under your wing at times?
JOHNSON: Yeah, definitely! This season you will see a lot more of that. What Luca will be doing is training the younger guys and some of the recruits trying to get into S.W.A.T. Since he is a third generation S.W.A.T. member, family is his life and he wants to get it right. In the real S.W.A.T. world the S.W.A.T. leaders will push everybody including the lowest guy on the totem pole because they want to give everyone an equal chance that a leader would have to see what capabilities they will have. Luca has the experience and can be a hard-ass and push anybody and he will get to do it this season with Street [Alex Russell’s character] which is going to be interesting. He has been there, done that, and lives it, breathes it, and sleeps it, so the more he can help out the young guys the better and more he can push them to opportunities, the better. In real life I was number one in the world in arm wrestling. And at the last competition I did, I was actually going to back out of the competition but decided to go in and help out these younger guys since we usually compete as a team. When the new guys come in, I teach them as much as I can. I went back that year and that time to help all the younger guys and it just happened to be the year that I beat everybody. It was just one of those weird things.
WINGMAN: We have had your cast-mates Alex [Russell] and Lou [Ferrigno Jr.] in our magazine, and they had nothing but good things to say about yourself and the rest of the cast. Talk about your cast a little bit. Who challenges you, who makes you laugh, who would be the first to back you up?
JOHNSON: Lou is so funny- they will give him these one-liners that are just hysterical. Alex is really out there and likes to try and be funny. He is very witty. He is probably the guy that makes me laugh the most. We do these little skits together all the time and he challenges me. Shemar [Moore] challenges me also, which is very cool. At the same time, I always want to be at the top of my game and we are all very competitive with each other- and that really helps.
WINGMAN: S.W.A.T. is all about backing up the rest of the team. What’s it like working side by side some of these great actors and training with them as well?
JOHNSON: I’ve always done the cable world on shows like “The Shield,” “Sons of Anarchy,” and “Saving Grace,” so being on a regular network is a little different and I never knew what to expect. When we all came together, we just gelled instantly- which made a difference. Everyone has the other’s back, and if someone is being a pain in the ass and brings down the energy or does less work, it’s certainly not good. You need to have a flow, energy-wise, and the guys on our show do. We all get along great and you don’t always get that on set, so we got really lucky. It’s great when it works out like that. Everyone is amazing and brings their energy and A-game- and it works. Everyone has their own energy and vibe, but together it works as one. I think we got really lucky.
WINGMAN: You just posted a photo from a table read that you just did with your former “The Shield” cast-mates. How was it going back to one of the most popular shows on television and seeing your old friends?
JOHNSON: It was great. We were like “The Little Engine That Could.” FX was just a little network and had nothing at that time. All it had was “Son of the Beach,” which was a spoof on “Baywatch,” and then “Rescue Me,” and “Lucky,” came along as well. It was a pretty amazing thing. From the beginning, Michael [Chiklis,] Walton [Goggins,] and I just gelled like we had known each other for years. With Michael being from back east, Walton and I had done movies together, so we all had great chemistry together. It was one of the most amazing experiences ever. We get together a lot in separate groups, but coming back ten years later for a roundtable, it was so cool. In the end it was really emotional, but there is so much love in that room that we all said if there was a script for it, we would start doing it tomorrow in the blink of an eye.
WINGMAN: Between “S.W.A.T.,” “Sons of Anarchy,” and “The Shield,” you have played a bad-ass on three of my favorite shows. Are you drawn to these types of roles, or do they just seem to find you and you make them look amazing?
JOHNSON: [Laughs] You are too kind with your words! I am drawn to interesting writing that is more authentic and breathable. Normally it’s complex and when it comes to plot, characters and things you have to deal with, that’s what intrigues me and it interests me. I have worked with some really great writers. I think for me they tell some really great stories and they push the envelope. They try and make them as human as they can and they do try and find the flaws in all of us in every single way. Instead of giving you the answers and how you are supposed to feel, it allows you to have your own choice through these mediums. I love it! Kurt [Sutter] writes this dark, dark stuff and writes these skeletons and lets the characters fill it in. Shawn [Ryan] was the same with “The Shield.” On the show now, it’s exciting this season to see the character growth and be able to go down their journeys with them. I look for writing and the character itself, that’s what draws me in.
WINGMAN: You grew up in New England, and I know from your social media you are a Patriots fan. Do you trust in Belichick and Brady for another Title?
JOHNSON: Yeah I do! It feels like there is a little more distance between them after everything that was publically aired, since they always keep things under wraps. It’s very interesting because as long as they have someone up front blocking for Brady, a receiver for him to throw there is always a chance. They definitely have a shot, are you kidding me!? [laughs] Every year, I don’t count them out, even if they start out 0-2 [which they started 2-2 this season.] They have a winning strategy that works. The fact that Belichick can get what he needs out of guys is like being in S.W.A.T or the Marines, you just do your job and do what you are supposed to trust each other. If you have that chemistry and that belief, then you can go far.
WINGMAN: When you were growing up, what was the movie, or who was the actor that made you want to be part of the entertainment world?
JOHNSON: It never really affected me as a child, because I didn’t know I wanted to act until I was 23 and that was by accident. But when I was younger, James Dean had an effect on me when I saw “Rebel Without a Cause.” When I would shows like “Lost in Space,” I would want to be in that characters body so that I could escape my normal life, which is what fascinated me.
And for tons of guys out there, Johnson is easily that role model for them.
Remember to continue to check out “S.W.A.T” every Thursday night at 10/9c on CBS!
And for tons of guys out there, Johnson is easily that role model for them.
Remember to continue to check out “S.W.A.T” every Thursday night at 10/9c on CBS!
