How John Henton got the role of Overton Wakefield Jones on Living Single

Overton Wakefield Jones wouldn't be a lovable, classic character if John Henton didn't portray the handyman in Living Single. We're just being honest.

Henton, a comedian and actor, was a guest on his castmates' podcast, "ReLiving Single," hosted by Erika Alexander and Kim Coles. In a recent episode, he shared the story of how he landed his career-defining role. "I auditioned against everybody," he began, as shown in a TikTok clip posted by the official podcast account. Apparently, everyone wanted a chance to be a part of the Living Single cast.

"Warner Bros. was packed...I got there the first day, it was 60-something people out there. The line was outside the door." Henton said he lived in North Hollywood and told his landlord that he was going to be a handyman (speaking it into existence). His landlord told him that he needed a tool belt, so John went to the audition with a tool belt...with only one hammer.

"I see Yvette [Lee Bowser], and I found out that she wrote the show. So, I was playing to her the whole time because I'm like, if she's laughing, I'm going to get a gig. So I started playing to her, and I went there the first time and got a callback."

The actor revealed that this was his first time getting a callback for a role, which made him optimistic. "I think I went like five times, six times maybe. I mean, it got down to just me and one other dude. And I told him, 'I said look here partner, this show ain't for you.'"

John admitted, looking back, he probably shouldn't have said that, because it could've motivated the other guy to perform better. However, in his eyes, Overton was already his gig. When he arrived for the last reading, the air conditioner was out, and workers were loudly fixing the roof at Warner Bros. Studios.

Henton had to recite his line multiple times due to the noise. So after the last time, he paused, went to the window, and said, "Shut the hell up, I'm trying to get a job."

And it worked!