Randy Watson

Summary
This is a biography of the actor/performer turned CIA operative known best for his portrayal of Joe the Policeman on the What’s Goin’ Down episode of That’s My Mama and for singing The Greatest Love of All in the movie Coming to America. He is often seen wearing a gaudy blue tuxedo complete with ruffles (that Lou Rawls look) and performing with his backup band Sexual Chocolate. Randy Watson has been more than a mere one time sitcom actor as he has been involved in the union movement and healthcare issues concerning Walmart employees and has recorded dozens of covers of hit songs where his version has become the most requested. More notably and less known, he was recruited by the CIA in the late 1980’s.
The Early Years
Randy Watson was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY in 1962. With no formal education he was schooled by his mother using Motown songs and early 70's Rhythm and Blues. This musical experience taught him all he needed to know about his life to come. Because his mother could not afford childcare, Randy was often left at home to watch episode after episode of popular sitcoms such as All In The Family to keep him out of trouble. He would eventually grow to make appearances on many of his favorites such as: Sanford and Son, Good Times, The Jeffersons, What's Happening and That's My Mama (where he would create the famous Joe the Policeman). Due to his rough upbringing Randy learned to become an aggressive fighter and highly skilled in the use of weapons which would lead to his recruitment into the CIA.
Influences
Randy Watson was strongly influenced by the early music of Whitney Houston due to its inspirational nature. This influence culminated with his rousing performance of The Greatest Love of All in the movie Coming To America. Randy was also influenced by the many martial arts films of the 70's, specifically Enter The Dragon and The Big Boss. This led to his secret training in the arts of hand to hand combat which led to his recruitment into the CIA.
Television Appearances
Randy Watson is mostly known for his portrayal of Joe the Policeman from the "What's Goin' Down" episode of That's My Mama. But he also appeared as a rival junk dealer, card player and Smitty's brother on Sanford and Son; Bookman's cousin and Sweet Daddy's thug on Good Times, and Rerun's killer on What's Happening. His television career never took off and he ended up doing some minor commercials until he began to focus on his music. It was at this time he decided to emulate Lou Rawls by using his trademark blue tuxedo. He never appeared on a sitcom again.
Cover Tunes
Randy Watson's covers have been known to outsell the originals. His unique style recreated each song and along with the melodies his backup band Sexual Chocolate (whose members included Bubbletop Wilson, Fish n Chips Freddie, Mongo Slade, Fruitti Watson, no relation, and Grits and Gravy) provided, they became big hits. His biggest remakes were:
The Greatest Love of All,
They Don't Know,
Personality,
Cum on Feel the Noize,
Why Can't We Be Friends,
Dancing Queen,
Take On Me,
Lady Marmalade,
Cotton Eyed Joe,
The Man In Black, and
Eres Tu
Possible CIA Involvement
Due to Randy Watson's performance in Coming To America, the CIA recruited him possibly to become a special agent, although this is not published anywhere and is revealed only through personal interviews with Randy and his mentor Rev. Brown. He explains that this is where he was able to draw from his martial arts training and his Bruce Lee moves to infiltrate and destroy many a foreign enemy. After facing Idi Amin's brother in a cage match in Burundi, he decided he was getting too old for this type of life. Due to the deaths of his backup band Sexual Chocolate, he quit the CIA and opened an acting school where he trained students to perform such roles as Joe the Policeman from the "What's Goin' Down" episode of That's My Mama. He vowed that he was through with the covert life and to this day the deaths of Sexual Chocolate go unavenged. Although never proved in a court of law, Randy and Rev. Brown suspected foul play. After a Walmart moved into the area, Randy Watson was able to negotiate a tax abatement from the city and county to keep his business going. It was at this time he decided that he would battle against Walmart in favor of unions and better benefits for employees.
Randy Watson Today
Randy spends his time today as an advocate for the common working man, more specifically Walmart employees. Randy continues to communicate through his Facebook, Myspace and Youtube pages. He was shunned for a role in the documentary Walmart, the High Cost of Low Prices but continued to campaign for workers' rights. He began to travel from store to store to form cashier unions and tire and lube unions. He also helped workers overseas for better conditions in their factories. After great success he turned down numerous jobs to continue his fight and now life mission. He is still seen wandering the parking lots or aisles of Walmart stores in his trademark blue tuxedo and humming and singing The Greatest Love of All. He has a Youtube channel and often makes comments on videos of all types. Most people don't believe that it is actually Randy Watson making the comments. Randy's last known project was a gathering of 70's talent to avenge the deaths of his band Sexual Chocolate. Although there was some talk about Randy being a member of a secret society of watchers, it was never proved. He believes that society is on a road to violence, a road he calls "violence road".

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