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Wendell McCray (Rodney Van Johnson) - He survived the tough streets of Detroit with the same preparation and patience that makes him a superb recon expert. He's got two loves in his life: his career and the six-year old son he left back home. Wendell defies definition - a straight-arrow conservative with a prankster's streak, who can quote Maya Angelou and James Baldwin but wouldn't let you know it.
Isn't an easy man to pigeonhole. His muscular frame and presence might lead you to anticipate a man whose first response involves some kind of macho posturing. You'd be wrong about that; Wendell outgrew that on the streets of Detroit about the age of thirteen. His smiling presentation might tilt you in the direction of some airheaded prankster, and while Wendell can shortsheet with the best of them, he's also well versed in James Baldwin and Maya Angelou and feels no need to wear any of that on his sleeve. As a marine, his strong suit is preparation and patience: he'll not be stamped into a decision by peer pressure or the apparent urgency of a situation. Wendell McCray made a mistake a few years ago, though he'd never consider that six year old son of his a mistake. The child lives with his mother back in Detroit and though no marriage took place, Wendell's picture is on the mantle and that boy knows who his daddy is. |
Actor's History
As a kid, Rodney Van Johnson always knew he could move faster and jump higher than most people; the world-class track and field star even holds a state record in the high jump (7'3") and qualified for the Olympics in the 100 meters. Now, he's still flying higher and moving faster: this time, as First Lieutenant Wendell McCray, one of the four talented, energetic, determined young people hand-picked for their unique skills and put under the command of a tough Marine Lieutenant Colonel (James Brolin), whose assignment is to turn them into an elite Marine multi-skill task force.
McCray survived the tough streets of Detroit with the same preparation and patience that makes him a superb recon expert. He's got two loves in his life: his career and the six-year-old son he left back home. While some might say that Wendell defies definition - a straight-arrow conservative with a prankster's streak who can quote Maya Angelou and James Baldwin but wouldn't let you know it - Johnson's got him pegged. "To McCray, doing his job is all about being in control of your surroundings," he explains. "McCray is a specialist, and he's not afraid of getting dirty. He's the baddest guy on the team."
Those same appealing contradictions come through in Johnson himself. He's an admitted "Mama's boy" - "My mom is my best friend," he says. He's also a dedicated athlete with skill as a stuntman. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Education. In addition, as an interesting contrast to his extensive acting credentials, Johnson also held sales and management positions . . . including at television stations in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, where his grandfather was a preacher, Johnson began his career in retail sales, then moved to Tampa and held advertising sales account executive positions at WTMV-TV and WFTS-TV. While achieving success as an up-and coming executive on the fast track, "acting was the hidden agenda in my life." The television station positions were all part of the plan: "I wanted to know how the business worked," he explains. "When dealing with buyers and clients all day and studying the Nielsens, you know why a show makes it or not." At the same time, Johnson stretched his creative talents in regional theatre productions.
Johnson set his birthday - February 20, 1991 - as the day he made the full-time commitment to acting and moved first to New York, then Los Angeles. "I knew my potential and wanted something more. To do it, I went from a big salary to no salary, and it felt good." Johnson soon won roles in such films as Blood Brothers, Dominic's Castle, Rumors and Making the Rules. His television appearances include Babylon 5, Sweet Justice, The Jamie Foxx Show, and Grace Under Fire, as well as several pilots. He has also performed in major regional productions of Fences, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Two Trains Running, A Few Good Men and A Soldier's Play.
Now, according to Johnson, "it all kicks in" with Pensacola. "I'm applying everything I've learned to make myself 'a better pie to be eaten. I hope that's what makes me unique as an actor and professional." His goals include acting in all media, writing, directing and producing (he's already taken the reins on several plays), much like his idol Sidney Poitier. "He's the perfect gentleman and he's done everything with skill and dignity. I'd welcome any opportunity to work with him." In the meantime, "I want people to appreciate my work long-term. I'm not a beefcake or a hunk in stereotypical ways. I'm a performer, which is where I want to be. I'm in this business for the rest of my life."
Video Interview with actor, Rodney Van Johnson
Question Video of answer When's Your Birthday? Answer Favorite Food? Answer Hobbies? Answer What College Did You go To? Answer How Do You Like to Unwind/Relax? Answer What was Your First Job? Answer Most Embarrassing Moment? Answer Favorite Book? Answer Where Did You Grow Up? Answer What Was it like growing up in Cincinnati? Answer If You Could Take Only Three Things to a Desert Island, What Would They Be? Answer What's Your Favorite Kind of Music? Answer What One Thing or Person Made the Greatest Impression on Your Life? Answer If You Weren't an Actor, How Would You Earn a Living? Answer
