logo
HomeNews
Don Johnson | Don Johnson and his children | Source: Instagram.com/Don Johnson | Getty Images
Don Johnson | Don Johnson and his children | Source: Instagram.com/Don Johnson | Getty Images

Don Johnson Got Sober after Seeing 'Horror' on His Child's Face – At 73 He Celebrates Son's Birthday as Caring Dad of 5

Vanessa Seifert
Jun 07, 2023
04:00 P.M.
  • Don Johnson lived a wild life of drugs and alcohol in his early days.
  • He owned 20 cars, boats, and a big home in Aspen, but his lifestyle took away his time with his children and made him unhappy
  • Now the actor is a doting father of five and has been married to his wife for over 24 years
Advertisement

Don Johnson, the star of "Miami Vice," opened up about his struggle with alcohol and addiction. The actor worked hard for his success and ended up with multiple assets like 20 cars, boats, and a massive home in Aspen.

The cars and boats made his dating life a breeze, meaning the actor went through a few marriages and countless flings. But despite what felt like should be his ultimate dream life of women and cars, Johnson realized he was extremely unhappy.

Philip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson  on "Miami Vice" in 1986 | Source: Getty Images

Philip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson on "Miami Vice" in 1986 | Source: Getty Images

The actor found himself wrapped up in the world of drugs and alcohol, but now he is living a good life in his 70s and reflecting on some of the biggest lessons he learned.

Johnson is aware of how much Hollywood can suck up many people, but now that he is speaking from experience, he said, “I’m happy to have ­survived it,” he says. “A lot of people don’t.”.

Advertisement

The "Miami Vice" Star made it into the industry early, so being young and having alcohol, drugs, and multiple parties at his disposal was difficult to refuse.

Philip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson  on "Miami Vice" in 1986 | Source: Getty Images

Philip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson on "Miami Vice" in 1986 | Source: Getty Images

He also revealed that most addiction cases in Hollywood start gradually with these parties until, one day, it is difficult to get out. The actor's busy acting schedule and demanding social life led him to neglect his children. But Johnson's specific encounter with his son made him never drink again.

He had just had a wild night out with his friends, with dark circles and high on something, and remembered being confronted with his son's horrified face.

Advertisement

Looking at the horror on his child's face and him realizing that it was just his father ignited something in Johnson that made him quit drugs and alcohol.

Don Johnson Is a Father of Five

Johnson focused a lot on his busy lifestyle, making him miss out on some of the most important time with his children. But he's now making up for lost time with his five children, Jesse, Dakota, Grace, Jasper, and Deacon.

Advertisement

A friend of the actor revealed that Johnson was a doting father that loved to be surrounded by his family at all times. In fact, time with family is sacred, and he loved to busk in every second of it.

From the sound of things, Johnson's time with his family seems peaceful and full of laughter, but the actor described his family as "hot-blooded," "volatile," and "creative."

Advertisement

Their family vacations are usually packed with many pranks, which has now become a family tradition. However, the pranks never cross any lines; they only go as far as finding a piece of clothing in a bowl of soup.

Advertisement

The "Sick Note" welcomed his eldest son, Jesse, with ex-girlfriend Patti D'Arbanville in 1982. His second child, Dakota Johnson, arrived in 1989 during his second marriage to Melanie. His three younger children, Grace, Jasper, and Deacon, with his current wife, Kelley Phleger.

Advertisement

The proud father of five recently celebrated his son Jasper's 21st birthday and commemorated the milestone with a picture of them together. Johnson wrote, "Happy 21 today. A stand-up young man is Jasper Johnson. With Love and Respect, Dad."

Don Johnson’s Current Life with His Wife of 24 Years

Before meeting the woman that would change his life for the better, Johnson was married three times, but his first two wives have never been identified.

Advertisement

The actor was married to Melanie Griffin, and they share two children, but the two actually tied the knot twice before going their separate ways. Griffin met Johnson when she was only 14 years old and met him through her mother. The two entertainers went on to have a very public relationship before finally calling it quits for good in 1996.

Johnson's wildlife slowed down when he met his wife, Kelly Phleger. Finding someone he loved that made him want to settle down inspired him to get rid of his 20 cars.

The two got married in 1999 and had Robert Wagner as Johnson's best man, and Mayor Willie Brown led the civil ceremony. The actor admitted that his assets were just vices he hid behind to get women. In addition to letting go of the assets, he quit smoking and got his career back on track.

Advertisement

Being consumed by drugs and alcohol slowed down the career he had worked hard for, but he landed big roles in films like "The Book Club" and "Django Unchained," which got him back in demand.

Advertisement

His wife was also someone who was not in the industry. Phlegger was known as a San Francisco socialite and worked as a nursery school teacher when she and Johnson tied the knot.

Advertisement

The couple love to share their special moments together on Instagram. Johnson has proven to be a romantic partner, with a sweet picture from his wedding day, which he captioned, "I do, I did, more to come."

Don Johnson in New York in 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Don Johnson in New York in 2023 | Source: Getty Images

On their 20th anniversary, Johnson shared a picture of his bride holding flowers with a big smile and expressed that he loved his wife more and more each day.

Johnson had a full life of ups and downs and major lessons that changed his life for the better. Now he is a proud father to his five children and has found lasting love that continues to grow 24 years later.

Subscribe to AmoMama on Google News!

Advertisement
Advertisement
info

The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider.

Related posts