In the animated sitcom series Everybody Still Hates Chris, Tim Johnson Jr. voices Young Chris Rock, with the series telling the story of Chris growing up during the 1980s, and Tim met his fellow cast members including Terrence Little Gardenhigh (who plays Drew Rock) when the show was announced at the 2024 San Diego Comic Con. From 2023 to 2024, Tim voiced co-lead character Will ‘Maybe’ Satchel across both series of horror Dreamworks animation Fright Krewe, and also last year, he voiced Opening Act in Invincible Fight Girl and previously, he was in the cast of Glisten and the Merry Mission playing Edgar the Elf with Chevy Chase and Freddie Prinze Jr. As a screen actor, Tim most recently played regular character Derek ‘D-Rok’ Troy in the Disney comedy series Saturdays, and amongst his previous work, he played recurring role Jimmy McGurgan in Series 2 of Future Man, Jermaine Swallow in TV sitcom Hit the Road for his first regular character in a TV series and lead role Akil Summers in the short film We Were Meant To, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and has won numerous awards as well as making the Oscar shortlist in 2023. Alongside his acting career, Tim writes and records his own music, and has released four singles and music videos this year, most recently Fly Girl on 28th March and previously Truly Yours, I’m All In and Winter Love. At this year’s American Idol auditions, Tim received a golden ticket, which saw him make Hollywood week, and he started his career having booked the role of Young Simba at 10 years old in The Lion King at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Tim is working on unannounced acting projects and will have further music releases later this year. Catching up with Tim, he talked to us about voicing Chris Rock in the animated sitcom Everybody Still Hates Chris, his co-lead character of Will ‘Maybe’ Satchel in Fright Krewe, filming as Derek ‘D-Rok’ Troy in the live-action Disney series Saturdays and working on his music.
How is it getting into character as Chris Rock in the animated sitcom Everybody Still Hates Chris and how is it telling the story of Chris’ childhood and adolescence during the 1980s?
The challenge was finding out how to approach the voice. I wanted to combine Tyler James Williams and Chris Rock’s voices together, but add my own flavour to Young Chris. To prepare, I listened to Mr. Rock’s stand-up specials and watched episodes of Everybody Hates Chris.
How do you find the experience working on the show and what are some of your favourite highlights from voicing Chris Rock so far?
First off, I grew up loving the original show. This is how I found out I got the role: I had just dropped my sister off at school and my agent called me on my way back home. My phone was on do not disturb, but right when I got to the house I looked and saw that there was a voicemail. When I heard “You’re going to be playing Young Chris in the series” I was jumping around saying “thank you, Jesus!”. The funny thing is my reaction was recorded on the Google security camera at my home’s front door.
Every time I go to the studio to record the show, I am just so filled with gratitude. I record the show with Sanjay Shah (the showrunner) with the amazing writing staff.
The first time I got to meet my castmates in person was at the 2024 San Diego Comic Con. It felt like I was just with family. We had a big launch that included a panel announcing our show and interviews. Right after our panel, the Abbott Elementary cast had theirs and Tichina Arnold told me she texted Tyler James Williams because she wanted him to meet me. I ended up having a great conversation with him where he congratulated me and told me: “Just enjoy this moment and take it in”. It felt like he was passing the torch of this character to me.
Another big achievement was having our Everybody Still Hates Chris billboard in Times Square.
Did you work with Chris in preparation for portraying him and how did you further prepare for the role?
In the beginning of production, there was a Zoom table read where the original and newer cast members were on the call. Being on that call acting alongside Chris Rock, Terry Crews and Tichina Arnold was a very special moment for me. I felt like I was watching an episode of the show in real time, but now I was playing Chris.
In the Dreamworks series Fright Krewe, you voice co-lead character Will ‘Maybe’ Satchel, how is it reading the scripts for the first time and have you had any favourite scenes/episodes to record in Series 1 and 2?
Fright Krewe was a great opportunity because it was my first time playing a leading character in a voiceover series. For years I wanted to get into voiceover and I remember being told that I didn’t have the skills to by a former agent, but from that experience I learned you truly have to believe in yourself.
This was my first time doing voiceover work in the horror genre so I was shocked with every turn of the page. I would say one of my favourite episodes is when Maybe shares with his older brother how he misses hanging out with him. In this scene I got to have my first dramatic monologue in the show and it showcased another side to Maybe.
Can you tell us about Fright Krewe and how would you describe Maybe?
Fright Krewe was an action-packed horror show where five teens, that are given powers, have to save New Orleans.
Maybe is a quiet teenager and to himself for the most part. He wants to be a musician like his older brother but is hesitant to let people hear. Additionally, he has just been given new powers and has to fight against evil. Being thrusted into a whole new reality. He has to get out of his comfort zone in order to save those he loves.
What is Maybe like to voice and what is it like being part of the cast?
My favourite part of playing Maybe was seeing this shy kid learn how to become a leader. I learned so much about the world of voiceover through this project. Voiceover work is unique because of the physicality it takes to emote a dynamic character, just like this one.
The cast are so talented and really kind people. I’m excited to continue to see them do amazing work.
You also voice Opening Act in Invincible Fight Girl and Edgar the Elf in Glisten and the Merry Mission, what were both projects like to record for?
Invincible Fight Girl is just such a creative show. This is the first anime I’ve got to be a part of. Opening Act is a wrestler who has a larger than life personality and is very comedic. To be able to go in the studio and just go full WWE mode was fun!
Glisten and the Merry Mission – I fell in love with the message of this Christmas film. With faith, amazing things can happen. Edgar the Elf has a lot of heart and wants everything to run smoothly for Christmas. Just like the movie is joyous, so was the recording. Also, it was an honour being in a movie with so many legendary performers.
On screen, you played regular character Derek ‘D-Rok’ Troy in the Disney comedy series Saturdays, what did you enjoy about playing D-Rok and what was it like on set of the show?
This show was created by Norman Vance Jr., who made the classic Roll Bounce, and the executive producers were Marsai Martin and her family. I really believe Saturdays is a classic show and it gave me even more confidence as a performer.
Watching Mr. Norm as the showrunner was a masterclass on leadership.
D-Rok is comedic and unapologetically himself. This show was all about roller skating and at first I wasn’t the best skater. Before filming the show, the whole cast and I had to go to what we called “Skate Camp”, learning from the best roller skaters. By the time we filmed I learned some dance moves, some tricks and I wasn’t falling… as much. In the series I got to share my love of comedy, improv and music! Originally, D-Rok was a rapper, but later in the season discovered he was really born to sing, just how I enjoy singing. We filmed an episode where my character is in a boy band and has a sing-off with his bandmate while roller skating. This scene paid homage to the classic movie The Five Heartbeats. Every single episode we filmed was creative, innovative and fun.
How was it working with your fellow lead cast members and is there anything you miss most about filming for Saturdays?
We really became a family on that set. For me, it was a blessing because I was great friends with Jermaine Harris, who played London Johnson, prior and we got to play best friends on the show, so that made my job easy. My goal was just to make cast members crack up every time we were on screen together.
Danielle Jalade, Peyton Basnight and Daria Johns! These young ladies are the future! I was inspired by their work ethic and talent.
Can you tell us about your time playing the recurring role of Jimmy McGurgan in Series 2 of Future Man?
My character’s dream was to be the first boy on Mars! The whole premise was hilarious to me. I got to work with Josh Hutcherson, Eliza Coupe and Haley Joel Osment! Jimmy was this type of brash/know-it-all character, which was amusing to explore.
In 2017, you played Jermaine Swallow in the TV sitcom Hit the Road, how was this?
In this show, I played Jason Alexander’s (from Seinfeld) adopted child. This show was about a dysfunctional family band that wanted to make it as stars. This was my first series regular role and I got to live in Vancouver, Canada for a couple of months.
Do you have any favourite memories from your early roles in Disney’s Kirby Buckets as Briefcase and Nickelodeon’s Bella and the Bulldogs as Chauncy that you can share?
In Kirby Buckets, I got to play a character named Briefcase who had a love for briefcases. We once filmed an episode where I played an alternative version of Briefcase and his name was Satchel.
I was homeschooled for most of my life, so one of the ways for me to make friends was from acting on set. Bella and the Bulldogs was my first huge TV show that I was a part of and I met friends that I still keep in contact with to this day.
What can you say about working on some of the films you have been part of over your career so far, which have included The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Fist Fight and short film We Were Meant To?
The House Next Door was full of laughs and music! I remember Mr. Mike Epps just walking around the set with his boombox and we all danced. It was awesome working with director Deon Taylor.
Pacific Rim: I had a small role where I handed John Boyega some sriracha… if you’ve seen the movie you know the context, haha. It was inspiring talking with him and seeing him lead this huge movie.
Fist Fight: This was my first big movie that I had a speaking role in. I was 16 at the time. Hanging out with Tracy Morgan, Ice Cube and Charlie Day was a special experience.
We Were Meant To: I was honoured to play the lead character Akil Summers in this film. This is a short film directed/co-written by Tari Wariebi and co-written by Christina Lucid. This started as an AFI thesis film. We shot during the pandemic and the film ended up premiering at Sundance, winning many notable short film festivals and being on the Oscar shortlist in 2023. I really believe in this story and I would love for it to be a feature film.
As a music artist, you have released four singles this year, most recently Fly Girl on 28th March, how is it seeing the fan response to your music and who do you think your songs will appeal to?
It’s been incredible seeing the fan response and how the music is reaching people all over the world. My music has an R&B, pop and soul music feel. My goal has always been to make timeless and feel-good music.
Do you have a favourite aspect of writing and recording your own music and what is your songwriting process?
Music has always been my first love. Growing up, my dad was in a gospel group and would produce the songs. I would spend hours in my dad’s home recording studio perfecting my singing, songwriting and playing instruments. We still are collaborators producing and writing and that’s what makes every song I put out extra special. The songs come from a personal place.
What is it like filming music videos and can you tell us about your recent singles?
My family and friends often are involved with the creation process of the music videos. From my dad shooting the video, my brother making an outfit for me to wear, to my mom and sister set decorating. It’s a family affair!
Fly Girl: Fly Girl is a feel-good R&B and pop anthem that is sure to make audiences want to dance. We got to highlight Jossie Harris, who was a Fly Girl dancer in the 90s sketch comedy show In Living Color, and Golden Brooks (Saturdays, Girlfriends). These two played sisters in the video and it was amazing paying homage to the 90s and its sound! There were also some other cameos and dancers in this music video! We had a great time!
Truly Yours: This song expresses how it feels when you know the person you’re with is “the one”.
In the music video, I’m serenading the leading lady with a song to let her know how special she is at a party.
I’m All In: I’m All In encompasses what R&B is all about! A love song that pays homage to the classics but its modern spin makes it stand out! This song describes how it feels when you first start to catch feelings for someone and take the leap of faith to say “I’m All In!”.
The music video is a continuation of Truly Yours.
Winter Love: This song I wrote two years ago and my dad happened to find it. The day after he listened to it, it started to snow outside and he was like we’ve got to shoot a video to go with the song.
We understand you auditioned for this year’s series of American Idol, receiving a golden ticket and making it to Hollywood Week, how did you find the experience being a contestant on the show?
I had an amazing experience on American Idol. I got great feedback from the judges while I was there and met so many talented artists. During my time there, my dad had to get emergency surgery but he encouraged me to still go forward and do the show. I made it through to Hollywood Week and he got to see me perform. I learned that no matter what hard things you’re facing, with faith and drive you can make it through.
Where does your love of screen acting, voiceover and music come from and how did you get into each?
When I was young, I told my parents I wanted to be on TV after watching sitcoms. I was also into music being that I have a musical family. I started to do every talent show in elementary school and I was in the choir. Then I got into theatre around the Philadelphia area, and when I was 10 years old I booked the role of a lifetime playing Young Simba in Disney’s The Lion King in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay. Performing in that show from the ages 10 to 12 allowed me to learn how to perform at a high level. In every project I am a part of, I want to inspire and bring people hope.
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch and music artists to listen to, and how do you like to spend your free time?
One of my favourite movies is About Time! The movie is creative, the main characters have the same names as my parents, and this film has a great soundtrack. I’ve been watching Ben Stiller projects, I like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty!
I enjoy hanging out with my family, going roller skating and bowling.
I like to listen to Stevie Wonder, Pink Sweat$ and Mk.gee.
Do you have any upcoming acting or music plans that you can share and what are you hoping this year brings for you?
I have some acting projects coming up that I can’t share at this time… potentially more Everybody Still Hates Chris…
I have more music coming for you all this year. We’re going to have everyone dancing this summer!
And this year I just want to continue to grow, spend time with my family and friends and to keep on creating!
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