Singers who could be selected for 'The Masked Singer' and the reasons why

Marques Houston was born on 4 August 1981 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for You Got Served (2004), Fat Albert (2004) and Sister, Sister (1994). He has been married to Miya Dickey since 24 August 2020. They have one child.

The 90's produced not only one of the greatest decades of R&B music, but also some of the most memorable artists our generation has ever seen, including Grand Rapids, Michigan native, International, Multi-Platinum, Award-winning R&B Icon Adina Howard.

1995 was a milestone year for Adina. Signed to Mecca Don/EastWest records, she struck certified gold and platinum with her no holds barred debut album "Do You Wanna Ride?" and her #2 Billboard Hot 100 single "Freak Like Me". That year Adina Howard became a global household name.

Howard is revered as one of the early pioneers of sexual expressionism for women of color. Her mega-hits "Freak Like Me" and "T-shirt and Panties" were more than just chart-topping singles, they were anthems for the sexually liberated.

Adina was widely ridiculed for her bold lyrics and provocative image. Though she was ahead of her time, she would not be detoured from being comfortable with her stance, if a man can do it, she can too. Howard helped pave the way for future urban female recording artists to embrace their sensual side and creatively express it through their artistry, freely.

In 1996, she collaborated with Warren G for the Police Story 3: Super Cop soundtrack with the single "What's Love Got to Do with It" featuring a sample of the Tina Turner hit. The single was another hit for Adina, peaking at #2 on the UK charts.

While working on her second album, Howard worked with actor/comedian, Jamie Foxx on the provocatively titled song, "T-shirt and Panties". Being the risk taker that she is, Adina wanted to lead with the rousing song as her first single from her forthcoming album "Welcome to Fantasy Island", but it was too racy for radio and the label shied away from promoting it. However, it found a home on the soundtrack to the film "Woo" featuring Jada Pinkett Smith and eventually was included on her third album, "The Second Coming". It became an R&B classic in the years following, becoming one of Adina's signature songs to perform.

In 1997, she prepared for the release of her sophomore album, "Welcome to Fantasy Island". It garnered critical raves and a moderate hit with the lead single, "(Freak) And U Know It", but was shelved by Elektra Records in 1997 due to conflict of interest. The album was leaked to the internet a few years later and promotional copies sold for hundreds of dollars on eBay.

In 2004, Adina's third studio album "The Second Coming" was released. Hampered by label woes, the success of the album was left to fate. Then in 2007, her fourth studio album "Private Show" was finally released after multiple delays. Due to the limited budget, the label had to work with "Private Show" didn't receive the push needed to garner attention.

On January 2010, Adina enrolled in Culinary school, temporarily putting her singing career on hold to pursue her passion for cooking. While she was working towards her Associate's degree in Culinary arts, she worked as a line cook at a Triple-A Four Diamond Resort in Chandler, AZ. In August 2011, Adina officially added another title to her belt, chef.

Resuming her singing career in 2013, Adina released her new single "Switch" which was to be the lead single off her fifth studio album, The Switch Up. It received positive reviews and won "Best Dance/Club Single of the Year" at the 2013 UB Honors, which was voted on by the public.

Aside from singing and songwriting, Adina has appeared in independent films such as Casanova's Demise, Poke the Sleeping Bear (Winner of Best Short, 2008 Solstice Film Festival) and the Relaxer. As well as appeared in the stage plays "Man of God"," Do You Trust Your Best Friend" and the stage reading "For All My Girls".

With all she has accomplished and continues to set out to achieve, Adina continues to find time to hit the studio and create future classics. In August 2015, she independently released the upbeat single "Bad 4 Me". This contemporary urban doo-wop-inspired ditty was a departure from what made her a household name.

Adina Howard has evolved as a woman and an artist. All that she has left behind to become who she is today can be heard on her new album "Resurrection", released digitally, March 2018.

Her socially conscience lead single "Blasphemy" has the nostalgic cadence of Lift Every Voice/Black American National Anthem woven into the melody. This urban battle cry encourages one to wake up and recognize the God within. Blasphemy is the perfect showcase for her legions of angels to hear her deliver vocals that's music to their ears and an empowering message that will inspire their soul.

Tyler Hubbard is known for The Do-Over (2016), May We All and Florida Georgia Line: Sun Daze - Lyric (2014). He has been married to Hayley Stommel since 1 July 2015. They have two children.

Chase Hudson was born on 15 May 2002 in Stockton, California, USA. He is an actor and composer, known for Downfalls High (2021), Lilhuddy: America's Sweetheart (2021) and MOD SUN - Sunshine (2024).

Jack Hues was born on 10 December 1954 in Gillingham, Kent, England, UK. He is an actor and composer, known for RocknRolla (2008), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) and Bubble Boy (2001). He has been married to Melanie Patton since May 1988. They have one child. He was previously married to Avis Woodger.

Jennifer Kate Hudson was born on September 12, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois to Darnell Donerson (née Hudson) & Samuel Simpson. She is an Academy Award-winning actress, Grammy Award-winning recording artist and best-selling author. This bright, beautiful and booming-voiced talent is a perfect example of how NOT winning the title of American Idol (2002) can still be a superstar boon to your career and not the disappointment of a life time.

She earned minor attention as one of the twelve finalists on the third season of the FOX TV series in 2004, but finished an underwhelming sixth runner-up. Hudson grew up singing in gospel choirs, acting in community theater productions, singing on cruise ships and touring for in Disney's "Hercules: The Musical." With no formal musical training, her raw vocal power initially pleased the panel of Idol judges and she, Fantasia Barrino and La Toya London were initially promoted as the show's very own "Dreamgirls" and were expected to be the final three standing at the end of the competition. Surprisingly, all three were midway placed in the bottom group at one point, and Jennifer was cut from the pack. Fantasia eventually won the competition and, seemingly, all the glory and the fame.

Hudson appeared with the "American Idol" summer tour and performed on the road in concerts over the next two years. When it was time to audition for the coveted role of "Effie Melody White" in the long-awaited film version of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls (2006), among Jennifer's competition would be Fantasia herself. This time Jennifer was the winner and earned the right to play the coveted role. Immediately ordered to gain weight for the role, the film was loosely based on the real-life pursuits of The Supremes, with the character of Effie taking on the tragic form of the group's ill-fated co-founder Florence Ballard (1943-1976), but with a far less tragic ending.

Jennifer's performance became the most triumphant musical film debut since Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (1968). Making the role her own, she delivered the same heart-breaking, gut-wrenching one-two punch that made Jennifer Holliday, who originated the role on stage, the toast of the Broadway scene in 1981. It was no easy task to outshine both Beyoncé and Eddie Murphy in one movie, but Jennifer was the movie's heart and soul and easily won over the critics. She went on to win not only the Oscar, Golden Globe, British Film, New York Film Critics and National Board of Review awards for "Best Supporting Actress," she picked up nearly every film critic's award there was to be had!

Hudson's meteoric rise made quite an impact in the world of music with the successful release of both her Sony/Arista Records albums. Her 2008 debut, self-titled record debuted at #2 on the "Billboard Hot 100" and won a Grammy Award for "Best R & B Album, and her sophomore album, "I Remember Me," also debuted at #2 and went on to win three awards at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards including "Best Album." Her third album, 2014's "JHUD," released by RCA, was a highly successful throwback to 70's inspired R&B.

Continuing to distinguish herself on the large screen, Jennifer began things off featured in the film version of Sex and the City (2008) with Sarah Jessica Parker. She then played the concerned daughter of compulsive gambler Forest Whitaker in the drama Winged Creatures (2008); earned a NAACP Image Award nomination for her moving effort in the tender drama The Secret Life of Bees (2008); portrayed Winnie Mandela opposite Terrence Howard's Nelson in the biopic Winnie Mandela (2011); co-starred with Whitaker again and Angela Bassett in the family Christmas drama Black Nativity (2013); co-starred as an amateur singer taken in by talent agent Adam Sandler in the romantic comedy Sandy Wexler (2017); appeared as Grizabella in the film version of the hit musical Cats (2019); and was given the opportunity to play the "Queen of Soul" herself, Aretha Franklin, in the biopic Respect (2021). Back in 2013, she was honored, at such a young stage, with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On TV, Jennifer has played the recurring roles of Veronica Moore in the musical series Smash (2012) and Michelle White in the dramatic series Empire (2015). She also was given the distinction of playing and singing the role of Motormouth Maybelle in the live TV movie Hairspray Live! (2016).

As for other special live performances over the years, Jennifer was invited to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl XLVIII in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009. It would be her first live performance since the October 24, 2008 family tragedy of losing mother Darnell and older brother Jason in a domestic shooting incident. In January of 2013, she was asked to perform at the Obama Presidential Inaugural Ball and in 2019, was invited to sing the nominated song "I'll Fight" from the movie RBG (2018), a documentary chronicling the life and career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Honored at VH1's Do Something Awards for her charitable work and also the recipient of the Samsung Galaxy Impact Award at Variety's Power of Women luncheon with the Samsung Galaxy Impact Award, Jennifer, along with her sister Julia Hudson, founded The Julian D. King Gift Foundation in 2009, as a catalyst for change in children's health, education and welfare. The Foundation exists to provide stability, support and positive experiences for children of all backgrounds so that they will become productive, confident and happy adults.

Expanding her talents in the arts, Hudson added author to her list of accomplishments in January 2012 with the release her New York Times best-selling memoir, "I Got This: How I Changed My Ways, Found Myself and Lost Everything that Weighed Me Down."

Engelbert Humperdinck was born on 2 May 1936 in Madras, Madras Presidency, British India [now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India]. He is a music artist and actor, known for Game Night (2018), Bullet Train (2022) and You Were Never Really Here (2017). He was previously married to Patricia Healey.

He performed Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" at an American Idol audition, but did not get the cut. After this, he got a big recording contract, and is even more popular than some of the finalists of the third season of "American Idol".

He performed a series of shows in Macau Casino and Hong-Kong, China in early August 2004. He also attempted to get his big break in cinema in China. His album, 'Inspiration', sold more than 100,000 copies by August 3rd, 2004.

Ice Cube was born in South Central Los Angeles, to Doris (Benjamin), a custodian and hospital clerk, and Hosea Jackson, a UCLA groundskeeper. He first came to public notice as a singer and songwriter with the controversial and influential band N.W.A. His compositions with that group included many of the classic cuts from their debut LP "Straight Outta Compton" (Ruthless/Priority, 1989), including the title track, "Gangsta Gangsta" and "Express Yourself". He quit the band over business differences in 1990 and began a still-growing series of commercially and critically acclaimed solo albums, starting with "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" (Priority, 1990). His second solo album, "Death Certificate" (Priority, 1991), a concept album about the fall and rise of the Black man, sold two million copies, and his subsequent solo output (six albums to date total) has sold over ten million copies. He has also discovered Yoyo, Del the Funky Homosapien, K-Dee and Mack 10. He has also produced, written, toured and recorded with Public Enemy, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Clinton, The D.O.C., Michel'e, Big Daddy Kane, WC & The Madd Circle (which spawned the solo career of Coolio), former N.W.A. bandmate Andre Young and Cypress Hill. He has also recorded with two post-N.W.A. side-project bands, Da Lench Mob ("Guerillas In Tha Mist", Street Knowledge/East-West, 1991) and Westside Connection ("Bow Down", Priority, 1996). His movie career has been no less stellar. Ice Cube's debut in Boyz n the Hood (1991) led to more roles in such films as Trespass (1992), Dangerous Ground (1997) and Anaconda (1997). He also appeared as himself in the comedy CB4 (1993). He is also no stranger to the other side of the camera, directing videos for himself as well as Prince and Color Me Badd, as well as co-writing his screenwriting debut, Friday (1995).

Julio Iglesias Jr. was born on 25 February 1973 in Madrid, Spain. He is an actor, known for Music of the Heart (1999), Hacienda Heights (2008) and Tu cara me suena (2011).

Insane Clown Posse is known for Solaris (2002), Death Racers (2008) and I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007).

Chris Isaak was born on 26 June 1956 in Stockton, California, USA. He is a music artist and actor, known for Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), Wild at Heart (1990) and Eyes Wide Shut (1999).

Ronald Isley was born on May 21, 1941, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His love of music was encouraged at early age, by his father, a professional vocalist, and his mother, a church pianist who also provided musical accompaniment for him and his brothers at their early performances.

For over 50 years, he has been the lead singer of one of the most influential groups in popular music, The Isley Brothers. Throughout his career, he has continued giving the same encouragement that his father gave him and his brothers by teaching and encouraging other artists.

Always a cutting edge innovator, in 2001 he created a new persona for the new millennium, "Mr. Biggs".

Iyaz is known for Atop the Fourth Wall (2008), So Random! (2011) and Iyaz: Replay (2009).

Jermaine Jackson is an American singer from Gary, Indiana, and a member of the Jackson family which has been active in show-business for generations. Jermaine himself has been active as a singer since his childhood. He was both the second vocalist and the bass guitarist of the pop band "The Jackson Five" from 1964 to 1975. He rejoined the renamed group in 1983, and has remained with it through several breakups and reunions. He also had several top-30 hits of his own in a solo career.

In December 1954, Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana. The city was founded in 1906 by the United States Steel Corporation, and was primarily known as a center for the steel industry. It is located within the Chicago metropolitan area, at a distance of 25 miles (40 km) from downtown Chicago. Jackson was the fourth child born to Joe Jackson (1928-2018) and his wife Katherine Jackson (1930-, born under the name Kattie B. Screws). Joe was a guitarist for the band "The Falcons", and Katherine was a pianist and singer. Neither of them had a particularly lucrative career, and Joe worked at times as a steel mill worker.

Along with some of his brothers, Jackson practiced his own songs with his father's guitar at an early age. Their mother taught them to sing harmonies, and they founded their own band in 1964. Joe realized that his sons could become more successful than he ever was, and started training them under a strict regimen.

"The Jackson 5" signed a contract with Steeltown Records in November, 1967. In January 1968, they released their first single under the title "Big Boy". In 1969, the band signed a new contract with Motown Records. Motown had been one of the leading record labels of the 1960s, and was better able to promote their songs. Jackson started a romantic relationship with Hazel Gordy, daughter of the Motown founder Berry Gordy (1929-). The couple were married in 1973.

"The Jackson 5" became Motown's main marketing focus in the early 1970s. Their name has used on an ever-increasing number of merchandise, and they were even used as the main inspiration for a Saturday morning cartoon by the animation studio Rankin/Bass. However, the Jackson siblings were increasingly displeased with Motown's practices in the field of royalties. They were earning only 2.8% of royalties from Motown. In June 1975, the band signed a more lucrative contract with Epic Records. But Jackson remain loyal to Motown and left the band.

Jackson had already enjoyed solo success with his 1972 cover of the song "Daddy's Home", which had sold sold over one million copies. His subsequent solo hit songs were "That's How Love Goes", "Let's Be Young Tonight", "Bass Odyssey", "Feel the Fire", "Let Me Tickle Your Fancy" , "Let's Get Serious" , "Dynamite", "Do What You Do" , and "I Think It's Love". Jermaine decided to rejoin the renamed band "The Jacksons" in 1983, and worked on their album "Victory".

In 1984, Jackson and his brother Michael released the duet song "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)". It received a lot of airplay. It peaked at 6th place on the Radio and Records' Top 40 chart, a chart based solely on airplay. It also reached the 1st place on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. However, there was a legal dispute between the record labels Epic and Arista over who owned the rights to this song. Due to this dispute, the song had only a limited distribution on records. Jermaine and Michael both provided guest vocals on the hit song "Somebody's Watching Me" (1984) by Rockwell.

In October 1984, Jackson and Pia Zadora collaborated on the duet song "When the Rain Begins to Fall". It was only moderately successful in the United States, but became a smash hit in Europe during 1985. It topped the charts in Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and West Germany. Cover versions of the song by other singers have also enjoyed chart success, decades following the song's initial release.

In 1989, Jackson released the single "Don't Take It Personal". It peaked at 64th place on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, and on the 1st place at the R&B chart. This was his last song to rank highly at any chart. Also in 1989, "The Jacksons" released the studio album "2300 Jackson Street". Despite receiving critical praise, the album peaked at 59th place on the Billboard Top Pop Albums. Disappointed with their declining commercial success, the band disbanded. This has remained their final studio album.

Jackson's music career declined during the 1990s, though some of his stage performances managed to attract crowds. In 1997, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with other members of "The Jackson 5". In 2001, "The Jacksons" reunited for two performances at Madison Square Garden. They were celebrating the 30h anniversary of Michael Jackson's debut performance as a solo singer.

In 2007, Jackson was a contestant at the "Celebrity Big Brother UK". He acted as a peaceful mediator between his arguing housemates, receiving attention from the press. While staying in the United Kingdom, Jackson voiced support for an anti-racism campaign which was financed by the magazine "Searchlight". In 2008, Jackson served as a guest judge for the music show "Australian Idol". That same year, he was invited as the guest of honor at the "Muslim Writers Awards" in Birmingham.

From December 2009 to January 2010, Jackson and several of his brothers appeared in the reality television series "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty". The series in part focused on the plans of the brothers to relaunch their music careers, and in part on their reactions to the then-recent death of their brother Michael Jackson. The series only lasted for 6 episodes. Plans for a second season ended in development hell.

In 2011, Jackson published the memoir "You Are Not Alone: Michael Through a Brother's Eyes ". It focused on his memories concerning his deceased brother Michael. In 2012, "The Jacksons" reunited for their first concert tour in decades. Their tour lasted from June 2012 to July 2013. Jackson had previously refused to collaborate with his brothers for a 2011 tribute concert in Cardiff.. He reportedly felt that the concert capitalized on the publicity for an ongoing manslaughter trial, which was based on the suspicious death of Michael Jackson. .

In October 2012, Jackson released his solo album "I Wish You Love". It was his first solo album since 1991, and consisted mostly of cover song renditions of previous Jazz hits. The album was produced by the French singer David Serero through his private record label. Jackson and Serero also recorded the duet song "Autumn Leaves". They performed together in the musical "You Are Not Alone: The Musical" (2013).

In 2015, Jackson was in the news for his private life. In November 2015, his third wife Halima Rashid was arrested on charges of domestic violence. She had reportedly been abusing Jackson during their marriage. Rashid herself filed a petition for divorce in June 2016. Jackson had no children with Rashid, but had fathered 7 children from previous relationships.

By 2022, Jackson was 67-years-old. He has not released any new records or singles since 2015, but he has at times provided stage performances of various songs. He has never fully retired, and he retains a cult following due to his fondly recalled songs. While often overshadowed by his brother Michael, Jackson himself has had remarkable endurance as a performer.

Cheryl R. 'Salt' James was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 28, 1966. While attending Queens Borough Colege, she met Sandra 'Pepa' Denton. She and Sandra were both studying nursing. Together, they formed Salt-N-Pepa, a rap group, in 1986. In 1988, Deidre 'Spinderella' Roper joined the group. Cheryl made her debut in acting, along with Sandra and Deidre, in Stay Tuned (1992). Cheryl has also made guest appearances, some with Salt-N-Pepa, on shows like Ricki Lake (1992) and Hollywood Squares (1998).

Jeffrey Bruce Atkins better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper and actor. Born and raised in New York City, he debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its lead single "Holla Holla". During the 2000s, Ja Rule was signed to Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records, formerly known as The Inc. From 1999 to 2005, Ja Rule had multiple hits that made the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, including "Between Me and You" (featuring Christina Milian), "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" and "Ain't It Funny" (both with Jennifer Lopez)-which both topped the Hot 100-the number 1 hit "Always on Time" (featuring Ashanti), "Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti), and "Wonderful" (featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti).

Jadakiss was born on 22 May 1975 in Yonkers, New York, USA. He is an actor and composer, known for Blade II (2002), Exit Wounds (2001) and Are We There Yet? (2005).

Jeremih was born on 17 July 1987 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a music artist and actor, known for American Honey (2016), The Fate of the Furious (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019).

Joan Jett rose to fame in the 1970s all-girl rock band The Runaways. Her cover of "I Love Rock and Roll" was a number one hit in 1982; "Crimson and Clover" was another hit for her. Jett has appeared as Columbia in the Broadway production of "The Rocky Horror Show".

Jidenna is known for Moonlight (2016), Dirty Grandpa (2016) and Luke Cage (2016).

J-Kwon is known for xXx: State of the Union (2005), This Is the End (2013) and Rough Night (2017).

Joe was born on 5 July 1973 in Columbus, Georgia, USA. He is an actor and composer, known for Romeo Must Die (2000), Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) and The Wood (1999).

Yung Joc was born on 2 April 1983 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is an actor and composer, known for Norbit (2007), Step Up (2006) and Fish Tank (2009).

Best known for his starring role as Det. Sonny Crockett on the hugely successful TV series Miami Vice (1984), Don Johnson is one of the stars who really defined the 1980s. As James "Sonny" Crockett he went toe-to-toe with drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, assassins, illegal arms-dealers and crooked cops on a weekly basis from 1984 to 1989, appearing in a grand total of 110 episodes. The show, which was executive-produced by four time Oscar-nominated director, producer and writer Michael Mann, paired Johnson with the equally cool Philip Michael Thomas as Det. Ricardo Tubbs and the calm and stoic presence of Edward James Olmos as Lt. Martin Castillo. It revolutionized television with its modern fashion, pop music, unique style and use of real locations. Johnson typically wore $1000 Armani, Versace and Hugo Boss suits over pastel cotton T-shirts, drove a Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona (later a Ferrari Testarossa) and lived on an Endeavour 42-foot sailboat named "St. Vitus' Dance" with his pet alligator Elvis. He also had full use of an offshore powerboat. Still, "Miami Vice" had not only style but substance, and his portrayal of the Vietnam veteran turned vice detective turned Sonny Crockett into the world's favorite cop. For his work on "Miami Vice" Johnson won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series in 1986, and was nominated in the same category a year later. He also picked up an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1985.

Johnson was born in Flat Creek, Missouri, the son Eva Lea "Nell" (Wilson), a beautician, and Wayne Fred Johnson, a farmer. As a kid, he wanted to become a professional bowler. Later, after a few brushes with the law at a young age, he discovered acting. After working on the stage for a while he ventured into films and television, but was not able to break into stardom despite, among other things, starring in the sci-fi cult classic A Boy and His Dog (1975).

Johnson starred in four failed TV pilots before landing his career-high role on "Miami Vice", which propelled him to superstardom. He directed four highly praised episodes of the show. He balanced his work on the series by appearing in a praised TV-movie adaption of the William Faulkner novel The Long Hot Summer (1985) and the feature Sweet Hearts Dance (1988) with Susan Sarandon. After the series ended he focused solely on his film career. Although movies like Dead Bang (1989), The Hot Spot (1990) and Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991) did not fare well with the critics, quite a few of them have obtained a considerable cult following, with fans praising them as all being quality contributions to their genre. His film work has given Johnson the opportunity to work with legendary filmmakers like John Frankenheimer, Sidney Lumet and Dennis Hopper.

After working steadily, Johnson returned to TV in 1996 with the cop show Nash Bridges (1996). The show, which Johnson created and produced, did very well. It co-starred Cheech Marin and Jodi Lyn O'Keefe. Johnson played the title role, a captain in the San Francisco PD's Special Investigations Unit. He was again paired with a flashy vehicle, this time an electric-yellow 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible. After "Nash Bridges" went off the air Johnson kept a low profile, but continued to appear in films and on television. He starred in the failed WB courtroom drama Just Legal (2005), which was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and traveled to Europe to make the Norwegian screwball comedy Lange flate ballær II (2008) and the Italian films Bastardi (2008) and Torno a vivere da solo (2008). As a supporting actor, he's been seen in mainstream films such as Machete (2010), Django Unchained (2012) and Knives Out (2019).

Johnson had two pre-fame marriages that were annulled within a matter of days. In the early 1970s, he lived with rock groupie Pamela Des Barres. In 1972, Tippi Hedren, his co-star in The Harrad Experiment (1973), allowed him to date her daughter Melanie Griffith despite the fact she was only 14 and he was 22; the relationship culminated in a six-month marriage during 1976. From 1981 to 1985, he lived with actress Patti D'Arbanville and they had one son together. After short-lived liaisons with Cybill Shepherd, Barbra Streisand and a barely legal Uma Thurman, he remarried Griffith in 1989. The couple divorced again in 1996, after she left him for Antonio Banderas. Johnson was engaged to "Nash Bridges" co-star O'Keefe, but broke it off before they made it to the altar. Since 1999 he's been married to former debutante Kelley Phleger, with whom he has three children.