Meet Marcell Johnson: Taraji P. Henson’s Son

Marcell Johnson is the son of Taraji P. Henson, the American actress, producer, and director. Marcell, who is now 29 years old, was thrust into the limelight because of his mother’s global fame. He has since taken after her and has gotten into the entertainment industry himself. He is now an actor and a model and is fast rising to make his name in the industry.

Marcell Johnson was Born in Washington, DC

Marcell Johnson was born in Washington, DC, the capital city and the federal district of the United States. This was also where he was raised by his family. The actor was born on the 10th day of May 1994 and is now 29 years old. His star sign is Taurus.

Marcell was born to the famous actress Taraji P. Henson and a father who is called William Lamarr Johnson. At the time he was born, Marcell’s mother had not yet become the famous actress she is now. But she was already doing well for herself in other ventures. So, Marcell grew up being properly taken care of.

Marcell is the only product of his parents’ relationship. However, he has step-sisters from his father’s relationship with other women.

Marcell is a College-Educated Man

Marcell Johnson is a well-educated man. His educational journey began in his hometown of Washington, DC, where he attended local elementary and high schools. While his educational background is known to have started in these local institutions, the specific names of the schools he attended during his formative years remain somewhat of a mystery, with no detailed records available at this time.

After completing his high school education, he took the next step in his academic journey by initially enrolling at the University of Southern California. However, it is noteworthy that at a certain point, his mother, Taraji P. Henson, facilitated his transfer to her own alma mater, Howard University.

Interestingly, the exact field of study that Marcell pursued at Howard University and the date of his graduation remain unclarified as of now.

Marcell Johnson’s Mother is a World-Renowned Actress

Marcell Johnson’s mother, Taraji P. Henson, is a globally renowned American actress whose illustrious career has garnered her widespread recognition. She has achieved remarkable success over the years in the entertainment industry. Taraji’s journey in the world of acting began when she pursued her education in the art of theater at Howard University. Her early foray into Hollywood commenced with guest roles on various television shows, ultimately leading to her breakthrough in the film Baby Boy (2001).

Throughout her career, Taraji P. Henson has portrayed a diverse range of characters. Notably, she portrayed a prostitute in Hustle & Flow (2005) and a single mother of a disabled child in David Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), a role that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her talent and versatility shone in various film projects, including her roles in the action comedy Date Night and the drama The Karate Kid in 2010. In 2016, she garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal of mathematician Katherine Johnson in the highly regarded drama Hidden Figures.

Her compelling performance in the Lifetime television film Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011) earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. From 2011 to 2013, she co-starred as Detective Jocelyn Carter in the CBS drama Person of Interest. Her iconic role as Cookie Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire from 2015 to 2020 not only made her the first African-American woman to win the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series but also brought her a Golden Globe Award and multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

Taraji P. Henson’s influence extends beyond her acting career. In 2016, she was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. That same year, she authored a New York Times best-selling autobiography titled “Around the Way Girl,” providing readers with a glimpse into her life and experiences in the entertainment industry.

Who is Marcell Johnson’s Father?

Marcell Johnson’s father was a man called William Lamarr Johnson. Not much is known about Williams, including exactly where he is from and what school he attended. Much of what is known about him is related to his romantic relationship with Taraji P. Henson and the life they had together.

The kind of relationship that Marcell had with his father during his lifetime is not well documented, so it is not clear if he was very close to him as a child.

Marcell’s Parents were High School Sweethearts Who Endured a Tumultuous Relationship

Marcell Johnson’s parents, William LaMarr Johnson and Taraji P. Henson, are on record to have had quite a tumultuous relationship. They first crossed paths and kindled their love story when they were still teenagers. Their meeting occurred in the summer of 1987 in Riverside, Maryland, when they were both 18 and 17 years old, respectively.

For Taraji, William was more than just a passing acquaintance; he made her feel like the “most beautiful girl in the world” with a mere look, and it didn’t take long for them to start dating after their initial meeting. Indeed, they were high school sweethearts, deeply enamored with each other. Their love story, however, encountered a significant twist when they realized that they had different visions for their future.

In her 2016 memoir, “Around the Way Girl,” Taraji said she expressed her desire for a lasting, forever love with William, even being open to the idea of marriage and children at a young age. But William had a different perspective. At that stage in their lives, he wasn’t ready for the commitment of marriage and was still in the process of finding his own path in the world. Consequently, after two years of being a couple, they decided to part ways.

However, they got back together soon after. Over the following year, their lives took divergent routes. By 1991, Taraji had moved out of her father’s home, rented her own apartment, and was working as a singer and performer on a cruise ship. She was even able to support herself and pay for her tuition at Howard University after transferring from North Carolina A&T. Meanwhile, William Johnson faced his own set of challenges, including infidelity that led to him fathering two children with two different women within months of each other. This caused a strain in William and Taraji’s relationship, and they broke up, only to come back together again soon after.

Despite the breakup and the introduction of his daughters into his life, Taraji’s affection for William remained steadfast. They eventually rekindled their romance, and Taraji readily embraced the role of caring for Johnson’s daughters whenever they visited him. However, their relationship continued to be marked by strife and disagreements, even over minor matters. In 1993, during one of their separations, Taraji revealed that she was carrying William’s child. Initially, he was skeptical, but upon receiving confirmation from a doctor, he committed to supporting her.

Both were working and in relatively stable financial positions during her pregnancy. Taraji worked as a supervisor on a cruise ship and took on various gigs in her local area, earning a good income. Throughout her pregnancy, William was a loving and supportive partner, making sure she was well cared for. He became an integral part of Taraji’s family, who welcomed him with open arms. Their son, Marcell, arrived in May 1994 at the Presbyterian Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Initially, their home life was filled with joy, and William was a devoted father. However, as their responsibilities grew, so did William’s temper, which gradually escalated into episodes of violence. Their disagreements became more frequent. One fateful evening, while Taraji was home with Marcell, William had taken her car without permission. When he returned, a heated argument erupted, and it wasn’t long before things turned physical. Taraji, with Marcell nearby, took a painful blow to the mouth from William. At the time, Marcell was just about a year old, and he witnessed the altercation.

After falling on her bed in tears, Taraji made the difficult decision to kick William out of her apartment, marking the end of their relationship.

Marcell Johnson’s Father was Murdered When He Was Just 9 Years Old

Marcell Johnson experienced the loss of his father when he was just nine years old, shortly after his parents separated due to his father’s abusive behavior. Our findings show that William Johnson was tragically murdered at the age of 34 on January 23, 2003, by a couple named Russell and Charlotte Nickleson.

According to reports, William had confronted them about slashing his friend’s tire, and this escalated into a heated argument. During the altercation, he was struck on the head with a ceramic lamp. Subsequently, he collapsed, and the Nicklesons continued to assault him physically, with Charlotte Nickelson inflicting multiple stab wounds.

Tragically, William passed away before the police could arrive on the scene. Russell received a four-year prison sentence, while his wife was sentenced to three years for the crime they committed.

The news of William’s untimely death garnered media attention, but Marcell’s mother, Taraji Henson, faced the difficult task of sharing the heartbreaking truth with her then-nine-year-old son. In the fourth episode of “Peace of Mind with Taraji,” a Facebook Watch series, she disclosed that she couldn’t bring herself to reveal the actual circumstances of his father’s death, so she told him that his father had died in an accident.

It was only as he grew older that Marcell learned the true cause of his father’s death. Taraji reflected on this, saying, “He’s had to navigate life in a way that many young kids haven’t had to. We would sit and grieve about it.”

Marcell was raised by his mother, never having the opportunity to enjoy his relationship with his father fully. Nonetheless, he holds fond memories of the times he spent with William when he was around.

Marcell Johnson is a Model

Marcell Johnson has carved out a successful career for himself as both a model and actor. His journey into the world of entertainment was greatly influenced by his mother’s involvement in the industry, inspiring a deep-rooted interest that only intensified with time.

His foray into modeling began in 2012 when he was just 18 years old and got the chance to work with the renowned MySquareBeer Clothing Company. Marcell’s debut in the modeling world was nothing short of impressive, leaving a lasting mark with his natural poise and charisma. He has also worked with a number of other brands ever since.

Notably, Marcell also had the honor of gracing the prestigious New York Fashion Week runway, a milestone that signified his growing influence in the fashion industry. His proud mother celebrated this achievement by sharing a heartfelt post featuring a picture of Marcell on social media, captioned with a “Proud Mommy Moment.” This acknowledgment underscored the depth of her pride and support for her son’s burgeoning career.

Marcell apparently remains committed to making a name for himself while honoring the legacy of his mother, Taraji Henson, who has been an enduring source of inspiration throughout his ascent in the industry.

Marcell Johnson is also an Actor

Marcell Johnson’s versatile talents extend beyond the realm of modeling, as he has successfully ventured into acting as well. His acting career began to take shape in 2015 when he made his debut with a small but meaningful role in the American crime drama series Misled. In the same year, Marcell secured a role in the American found footage drama film, A Girl Like Her, demonstrating his commitment to honing his acting skills and exploring diverse genres.

The year 2017 saw Marcell’s on-screen presence expanding further, as he made an appearance in an episode of the American television comedy series Detroiters. This experience allowed him to showcase his versatility in different genres. The same year, he took on a role in the Horror/Thriller film Needlestick, adding depth to his portfolio.

However, it was his role in the immensely popular American musical drama television series Empire that marked a significant milestone in Marcell’s acting journey. Joining the cast in 2016, he became a prominent fixture in the series, featuring in 16 episodes over three years until 2019. This role not only provided valuable experience but also allowed him to share the screen with his renowned actress mother, Taraji P. Henson, creating a unique dynamic in the world of entertainment.

Beyond his on-screen roles, Marcell’s involvement in the film industry also extended behind the scenes. In 2019, he worked as a media manager’s assistant in the movie Little, showcasing his multifaceted contributions to the world of film and media. Marcell’s passion for both modeling and acting continues to flourish, promising a bright and versatile future in the entertainment landscape.

How Much is Marcell Johnson’s Net Worth?

Marcell Johnson’s current net worth is estimated at around $1.1 million in 2024. This is not hard to believe, considering the work he has put into his modeling and acting careers so far. This financial success is a testament to his growing presence in the industry. It is also expected that this figure will only increase with time as he keeps doing more exploits as a model and actor.

Nonetheless, when compared to the substantial fortune of his renowned mother, Taraji P. Henson, who currently boasts a net worth of $25 million, Marcell’s financial standing may appear relatively modest. Despite this contrast, Marcell’s burgeoning career holds the promise of further financial growth and success in the future.

Is Marcell Johnson in a Relationship?

As of the present moment, Marcell Johnson appears to be leading a single life. He has kept his dating life under wraps, offering no insights or hints about being in a relationship. Marcell’s penchant for privacy and a low-key lifestyle adds to the challenge of unraveling his current romantic status.

The absence of public appearances with a significant other or any documented romantic moments with anyone leads to the reasonable assumption that this handsome actor is currently unattached. However, as time unfolds, circumstances may change, and Marcell’s relationship status could evolve.