as the youngest of four children. His father was a city engineer, his mother waitress, to whom he was always very close. As well as to his grandfather he knew as Pawpaw and spent much time with. His three siblings are 10 years older Danny (also known as DP and a screenwriter today), Debbie and Christie (today Christie Dembrowsky, Johnny's personal assistant). Once in an interview Johnny said he had Irish and German and god knows what ancestry, but sure is he has Indian origins - his great-grandmother was 100 percent Cherookee. Already in this early childhood he began to love the music at the church of his uncle, who was a fundamentalist minister - listening to the gospel music more than his uncle's prayers.

When Johnny was 7 years old, his grandfather died, what was a big shock to him. Soon afterwards the family moved to Florida where they spent a long time living in motels until his father at the end found secure work as director of public works in Miramar. This moving around time was very hard for Johnny and although 8 he was very interested in Evel Knievel and World War 2 he did not take off school but was hanging around. So with 12 he already began smoking and drinking. But he as well got a presend which should change his life from his mother: a guitar. So he taught himself playing the guitar and it became his obsession.
With 13 he lost his virginity to a groupie in van of the band he joined, and when he was 15 his parents divorced and although he saw it coming he wasn't fine. So - he was a talented garage rocker with the punksters "The Flame" and made 25 dollars the night in Florida's nightclubs - with 16 he dropped out of school, to concentrate on his music carreer with the band who changed its name to "The Kids" and they were even playing the opening act on an Iggy Pop tour.

the way to film

 In search for more popularity the band - and so Johnny - moved to Los Angeles, and he married 5 years older make-up artist Lori Anne Allison on December 20th, 1983. When "the Kids" didn't earn enought money anymore Johnny began selling ballpoint pens over the phone. Lori Anne Allison introduced Johnny to her friend Nicolas Cage. So Nicolas Cage took Johnny to his agent Ilene Feldman who got a place in the casting for Wes Craven's upcoming movie "A Nightmare on Elm Street" to give Johnny the chance getting some money by acting. And because Wes Cravens daughter liked Johnny, he took Johnny for the role of Glen Lantz. So this was the beginning of a great actor's carreer.
Soon the Kids split up, as well as Johnny did with Lori Anne - they divorced in 1985. And because Johnny could need the money he decided to continue acting.