Actor: Reginald VelJohnson

Reginald VelJohnson played Sergeant Al Powell in Die Hard and its sequel, and the character functions as the audience’s ear, conducting most of his relationship with the lead over a radio.

The backstory about having shot a child, which the film uses to set up the ending, gives a supporting part an unusual weight.

Family Matters ran nine seasons and made him a household presence, and he has played police officers with such frequency that it became a running joke he has embraced.