His Way

Paul Brownfield has achieved a new nadir in his hatchet job on Don Johnson (“The Life of His Own Party,” March 28). Rarely have I seen such a thorough flensing.

Other celebrities and their publicists should think long and hard before an interview with Brownfield. Nobody anywhere close to his sights is safe, as witness the backhand at the success of Bruce Willis (“the smug cowboy of choice for the action blockbuster of the 1990s”).

The few instances of “to be fair”-type phrases sprinkled through the 102 column inches of smarm and diluted vitriol are obviously calculated to show a balanced viewpoint, but they fail. So does the line about it being “very hard not to like” Johnson. Obviously Brownfield succeeded.

MICHAEL McCONNOHIE

Burbank

*

I am one of the 50% of people who would gladly tell the world, “Don Johnson is a god” (and I have, much to the amusement of friends and family).

However, when I proceed to critique and analyze his performances, most people are dubious and insist his physical attributes are his real calling card. Many late-night discussions of Don’s films--I’ve seen them all-- and themes he’s explored on “Miami Vice” and “Nash Bridges” have served to educate my naysaying friends about his acting prowess.

My fond hope is that this piece will serve to expose Don to some of those A-list parts--even if he does pee in the bay!

DONNA NOOGER

Los Angeles

*

When I picked up the Sunday paper off of my porch step, I couldn’t figure out why the protective plastic, stronger-than-dental floss string had snapped off and seemingly propelled itself across the courtyard. Then I saw Don Johnson’s head on the cover of Calendar.

Gag.

BERNADETTE BOWMAN

West Hollywood

*

Did I miss something? Don Johnson drinks . . . he chases young girls . . . he feels underappreciated as an actor.

With that in mind, all I can say is, “There aren’t any of those (expletive) Johnsons that are better than me. None of them. Nobody. Not Andrew, Lyndon or Masters and. I have the name. They have the material.”

See, my life sounds as interesting as Don’s (or at least as interesting as Brownfield’s article made him sound).

R.J. JOHNSON

North Hollywood

*

I think Don Johnson is an extremely good actor. He does not need external tragedy or extraordinary occasion to act. He tells you more with his quiet demeanor than any dialogue a writer could write.

BETTY O’MEARA

Malibu

*

On behalf of my parents and our family, I am compelled to respond to just a few of the many factual errors contained in the statements attributed to my brother, Don Johnson.

While I realize that publicists in the entertainment industry often employ “titillation” as a means of gaining public attention for their clients’ personal agenda, I am both deeply saddened and disappointed that this has been done and continues to be done at the expense of our family’s reputation and the truth.

Our parents were divorced but not until Don was 12. Don was never arrested for hot-wiring cars at age 12 and was never sent to Lake Afton Home for boys. He continued to live at home with his mother, younger sister and two younger brothers until he was 13, at which time he was sent to live with his father in Missouri because he was generally disrespectful to authority, physically abusive to his younger siblings and was skipping school and failing the eighth grade.

Don moved back home with us for his senior year of high school, went to the prom like everybody else, worked part-time (first as a butcher’s apprentice and then as a ladies’ shoe salesman) and graduated from Wichita’s South High School in 1967. The only strippers he lived with at age 16 were our two little brothers streaking to take a bath.

I have long supported my brother’s career goals because I want him to be happy. As a writer and director, I too believe Don has the goods. I’m only afraid the world may never get to see the Oscar performance I believe he has in him, or will further overlook his brilliance and talent because it seems harder and harder to get past the absolute line of bull that invariably seems to represent who he is and that surrounds him. The real Don is a much better person and his success no less meaningful for it.

JAMIE SKYLAR

Valley Village

*

The only thing I will enjoy reading more than the Don Johnson profile are the letters to the editor about him.

KAREN AXELROD

Redondo Beach