
Kevin L. Johnson
Veteran actor Kevin L. Johnson can be seen across both television and film, but he is best known for his role as 'Sam Dermody' in Netflix's hit series "Ozark" starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney. What originally started as a two-episode role in season one, led instead to Johnson portraying 'Sam' each additional season, including the fourth and final. Johnson will soon be seen as 'Eric' in Netlflix's "Florida Man," executive produced by Bateman and will guest star in the hit cult show "Stranger Things." Johnson fell in love with acting while attending Clemson University. As an assignment for his newly declared English major, Kevin was required to see "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The grand production impacted him so greatly that he registered for acting classes the next day for the following semester. After he had a bit of formal acting training that helped the self-proclaimed introvert break out of his shell, Johnson had the confidence to audition for his first role at Clemson. While the audition didn't result in a part, Kevin became a part of the tech crew, furthering his knowledge of production. Before long Johnson won the lead role as 'Sam,' the pickle maker seeking a love match in "Crossing Delancey" at Clemson Little Theatre, before starring as 'Oswald' in a Shakespeare in the Park production of "King Lear." Additional theatre credits include the lead role of 'Willy Wonka' in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at Easley Foothills Playhouse, 'Bardolph' in "Henry V" at Brooks Theater at Clemson University and 'Wally' in "1940's Radio Hour" at Clemson Little Theatre. Kevin also discovered that he could sing while attending auditions during college. Although his mother had been a country singer, Johnson hadn't tested his own voice until he checked out a cast recording of "Urinetown" from the library to prepare for an audition. Kevin graduated from Clemson University with a degree in English and a minor in advertising before landing an agent. He then began booking roles in commercials, including the North Carolina State Lottery and Burger King, and numerous short films. Johnson landed his first television role on the hit series "One Tree Hill," an audition he almost didn't attend. He then went on to book his first film role in "My Redneck Roots" and his first lead role in the film "Destiny Road." Johnson's expansive resume includes roles in numerous television series and films. His television credits include Cinemax's "Banshee," CBS' "Reckless," MTV's "Finding Carter," FOX's "The Resident," OWN's "Greenleaf" and OWN's "If Loving You Is Wrong." His additional film credits include "Prisoners" opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, "Careful What You Wish For" opposite Nick Jonas, "American Animals" opposite Evan Peters and "Blue Ridge" opposite Johnathon Schaech
Filmography (20)
MOVIEBlood Behind Us2026as Tomik Milligan
TV★ 7.0Tales of the Walking Dead2022as Joel
MOVIE★ 6.0Blue Ridge2020as Lem Keagen
MOVIE★ 7.0A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood2019as Darin Scharf (uncredited)
MOVIE★ 4.4Jacob's Ladder2019as Medic
MOVIE★ 7.0All You Can Carry2019as Owen
TV★ 7.9FBI2018as Nick Foster
MOVIE★ 6.7American Animals2018as Scruffy Counterfeiter
TV★ 8.4The Resident2018as Timothy Fleck
TV★ 8.29-1-12018as Archie Mullin
MOVIE★ 6.9American Made2017as Agent Horace Wainwright
TV★ 8.2Ozark2017as Sam Dermody
TV★ 8.6Stranger Things2016as Young Victor
TV★ 7.1Greenleaf2016as Julian Tancredi
MOVIE★ 5.9The 5th Wave2016as Sniper in Woods
MOVIETwo for Tea2014as Officer Collins
MOVIE★ 8.1Destiny Road2012as Jeremiah
MOVIE★ 1.0Devil's Crossing2011as Patrick
TV★ 7.8One Tree Hill2003as Cameraman
MOVIEI've Got You—