Don Johnson Says Being an '80s Heartthrob Was Dangerous: 'We Had to Have 24/7 Security' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Don Johnson in 2024 and in the ’80s.Photo:Ari + Louise; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyRebel RidgestarDon Johnsonknows that nothing is guaranteed in show business.“I’ve always said you go through these stages as an actor," he tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “It starts with, ‘Who’s Don Johnson?’ Then, ‘Get me Don Johnson!’ Then, ‘Get me a Don Johnsontype!’ Then, ‘Get me ayoungerDon Johnson!’ And finally, it’s back to ‘Who’s Don Johnson?’ “He shrugs and laughs. “That’s just the way it goes.”Of course, the veteran actor, 74, who has been in the biz for 54 years, is clearly in the ‘Get me Don Johnson!’ phase again.He’s currently starring in the hit Netflix filmRebel Ridge, which has seen over1.5 billion minutes streamedsince its Sept. 5 release, and will next also star in the Hulu seriesDoctor Odyssey.“I’m still on the menu!” he admits with a laugh. Back in the mid ’80s, when he rose to stardom playing Detective James “Sonny” Crockett onMiami Vicefor six seasons between 1984 and 1990, he was more than just on the menu — he was a total snack.Don Johnson as Detective James ‘Sonny’ Crocket in Miami Vice.Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“For a long time, I couldn’t even go anywhere,” Johnson recalls of dealing with his ardentMiami Vicefans.“I had to isolate. The [women] know where you are. We had security 24/7. One day, I reflected on Elvis and thought, ‘Isn’t this kind of the way Elvis lived and died?’ Not that I’m comparing myself to Elvis, but in terms of him not being able to have a personal life. So I learned to manage it and vowed not to let it imprison me.”For a while, he was anxious about being forever typecast as Sonny Crockett.“My goal then was to not be Sonny Crockett forever,” he says of trying to navigate the popularity. “I had seen the peril of the actors who were too identifiable with their character. I felt like I had to separate myself from Sonny so people could eventually see me as other characters.”Don Johnson attends the 31st Annual Producers Guild Awards at Hollywood Palladium on January 18, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.Frazer Harrison/GettyStill, he’s not mad at the exposure the role gave him. “It’s the 40th anniversary ofMiami Vicethis year, and hey, I’m still here,” he says with a laugh.These days, the father of five (his second kid is actressDakota Johnson) says he’s grateful he can pick and choose roles instead of worrying if he’ll ever work again.“Work-life balance is an interesting thing as an actor because movies eat your life. Television shows eat your life,” he says. “Luckily, I’m at a place where I can pick and choose roles, and sometimes I often prefer the supporting role because I still get joy out of what I do, but I don’t want to work those long hours and be away from my family.”As for the screaming female fans disrupting his life? It’s not a problem like it used to be, and that’s just fine with him.“Fame is a condition,” he says. “But it also goes away.”Rebel Ridgeis now on Netflix.Doctor Odysseypremieres Thursday, Sept. 26, on ABC and Hulu.For more about Don Johnson, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

Don Johnson in 2024 and in the ’80s.Photo:Ari + Louise; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ari + Louise; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Rebel RidgestarDon Johnsonknows that nothing is guaranteed in show business.“I’ve always said you go through these stages as an actor,” he tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “It starts with, ‘Who’s Don Johnson?’ Then, ‘Get me Don Johnson!’ Then, ‘Get me a Don Johnsontype!’ Then, ‘Get me ayoungerDon Johnson!’ And finally, it’s back to ‘Who’s Don Johnson?’ “He shrugs and laughs. “That’s just the way it goes.”Of course, the veteran actor, 74, who has been in the biz for 54 years, is clearly in the ‘Get me Don Johnson!’ phase again.He’s currently starring in the hit Netflix filmRebel Ridge, which has seen over1.5 billion minutes streamedsince its Sept. 5 release, and will next also star in the Hulu seriesDoctor Odyssey.“I’m still on the menu!” he admits with a laugh. Back in the mid ’80s, when he rose to stardom playing Detective James “Sonny” Crockett onMiami Vicefor six seasons between 1984 and 1990, he was more than just on the menu — he was a total snack.Don Johnson as Detective James ‘Sonny’ Crocket in Miami Vice.Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“For a long time, I couldn’t even go anywhere,” Johnson recalls of dealing with his ardentMiami Vicefans.“I had to isolate. The [women] know where you are. We had security 24/7. One day, I reflected on Elvis and thought, ‘Isn’t this kind of the way Elvis lived and died?’ Not that I’m comparing myself to Elvis, but in terms of him not being able to have a personal life. So I learned to manage it and vowed not to let it imprison me.”For a while, he was anxious about being forever typecast as Sonny Crockett.“My goal then was to not be Sonny Crockett forever,” he says of trying to navigate the popularity. “I had seen the peril of the actors who were too identifiable with their character. I felt like I had to separate myself from Sonny so people could eventually see me as other characters.”Don Johnson attends the 31st Annual Producers Guild Awards at Hollywood Palladium on January 18, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.Frazer Harrison/GettyStill, he’s not mad at the exposure the role gave him. “It’s the 40th anniversary ofMiami Vicethis year, and hey, I’m still here,” he says with a laugh.These days, the father of five (his second kid is actressDakota Johnson) says he’s grateful he can pick and choose roles instead of worrying if he’ll ever work again.“Work-life balance is an interesting thing as an actor because movies eat your life. Television shows eat your life,” he says. “Luckily, I’m at a place where I can pick and choose roles, and sometimes I often prefer the supporting role because I still get joy out of what I do, but I don’t want to work those long hours and be away from my family.”As for the screaming female fans disrupting his life? It’s not a problem like it used to be, and that’s just fine with him.“Fame is a condition,” he says. “But it also goes away.”Rebel Ridgeis now on Netflix.Doctor Odysseypremieres Thursday, Sept. 26, on ABC and Hulu.For more about Don Johnson, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

Rebel RidgestarDon Johnsonknows that nothing is guaranteed in show business.

“I’ve always said you go through these stages as an actor,” he tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “It starts with, ‘Who’s Don Johnson?’ Then, ‘Get me Don Johnson!’ Then, ‘Get me a Don Johnsontype!’ Then, ‘Get me ayoungerDon Johnson!’ And finally, it’s back to ‘Who’s Don Johnson?’ "

He shrugs and laughs. “That’s just the way it goes.”

Of course, the veteran actor, 74, who has been in the biz for 54 years, is clearly in the ‘Get me Don Johnson!’ phase again.

He’s currently starring in the hit Netflix filmRebel Ridge, which has seen over1.5 billion minutes streamedsince its Sept. 5 release, and will next also star in the Hulu seriesDoctor Odyssey.

“I’m still on the menu!” he admits with a laugh. Back in the mid ’80s, when he rose to stardom playing Detective James “Sonny” Crockett onMiami Vicefor six seasons between 1984 and 1990, he was more than just on the menu — he was a total snack.

Don Johnson as Detective James ‘Sonny’ Crocket in Miami Vice.Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“For a long time, I couldn’t even go anywhere,” Johnson recalls of dealing with his ardentMiami Vicefans.

“I had to isolate. The [women] know where you are. We had security 24/7. One day, I reflected on Elvis and thought, ‘Isn’t this kind of the way Elvis lived and died?’ Not that I’m comparing myself to Elvis, but in terms of him not being able to have a personal life. So I learned to manage it and vowed not to let it imprison me.”

For a while, he was anxious about being forever typecast as Sonny Crockett.

“My goal then was to not be Sonny Crockett forever,” he says of trying to navigate the popularity. “I had seen the peril of the actors who were too identifiable with their character. I felt like I had to separate myself from Sonny so people could eventually see me as other characters.”

Don Johnson attends the 31st Annual Producers Guild Awards at Hollywood Palladium on January 18, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.Frazer Harrison/Getty

Still, he’s not mad at the exposure the role gave him. “It’s the 40th anniversary ofMiami Vicethis year, and hey, I’m still here,” he says with a laugh.

These days, the father of five (his second kid is actressDakota Johnson) says he’s grateful he can pick and choose roles instead of worrying if he’ll ever work again.

“Work-life balance is an interesting thing as an actor because movies eat your life. Television shows eat your life,” he says. “Luckily, I’m at a place where I can pick and choose roles, and sometimes I often prefer the supporting role because I still get joy out of what I do, but I don’t want to work those long hours and be away from my family.”

As for the screaming female fans disrupting his life? It’s not a problem like it used to be, and that’s just fine with him.

“Fame is a condition,” he says. “But it also goes away.”

Rebel Ridgeis now on Netflix.Doctor Odysseypremieres Thursday, Sept. 26, on ABC and Hulu.

For more about Don Johnson, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

source: people.com