Wed Sep 18 01:30:47 UTC 2024: ## Family Matters Star Reginald VelJohnson Makes Surprise DWTS Debut

Reginald VelJohnson, best known for his role as Carl Winslow in the beloved sitcom “Family Matters,” surprised audiences on Tuesday night with his debut on Dancing With the Stars. The 72-year-old actor took the stage with his professional partner, Emma Slater, performing a Salsa to “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men.

While VelJohnson’s enthusiasm and expressive face impressed, his dance moves were less polished, earning him scores of 6, 5, and 5 for a total of 16. Judges encouraged him to focus on incorporating more movement in future performances.

Despite the relatively low score, Slater was overjoyed, expressing her pride in her partner on Instagram. “We got a 6!!!!!!,” she wrote. “A 6 and two 5’s for our first dance and I’m really really proud of @thereginaldveljohnson for putting his everything into that dance.”

VelJohnson, who cited his time on “Family Matters” and Broadway as his prior dance experience, emphasized his desire to challenge himself and embrace his passion for dance. “I got a lot of soul,” he shared. “I learned ballroom dancing from my parents, that’s why it holds a special place in my heart.”

The veteran actor joins a diverse cast of celebrities competing on the new season of Dancing With the Stars, including Oscar nominee Eric Roberts, Bachelorette star Jenn Tran, Tori Spelling, Phaedra Parks, Dwight Howard, Joey Graziadei, and Anna Delvey.

Fans can catch the next episode of Dancing With the Stars on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, with the episodes streaming on Hulu the following day.

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