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Punkie Johnson
Punkie Johnson in 2021.jpg
Johnson in 2021
Born
Jessica Williams

(1985-04-29) April 29, 1985 (age 40)
Education Nicholls State University (BA)
Occupation
  • Comedian
  • actress
Years active 2015–present

Jessica Williams (born April 29, 1985), known as Punkie Johnson, is an American comedian and actress. She lives in New York City and started her career doing stand-up comedy in California. Johnson is most famous for being a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live. She joined the show in 2020 for its 46th season and left in 2024 after its 49th season.

Early life and education

Punkie Johnson, whose birth name is Jessica Williams, grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her mother, Mary Johnson, raised her. She went to both Catholic and public schools. In 2003, she graduated from McDonogh 35 High School.

After high school, Johnson studied at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies in 2008.

Comedy and acting career

Johnson started her career as a stand-up comedian. She performed at many comedy clubs. Later, she became a regular paid performer at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. In 2019, Johnson also performed at the famous Just for Laughs comedy festival.

As an actress, Johnson has appeared in several TV shows. These include Space Force, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Corporate, and Adam Ruins Everything.

Time on Saturday Night Live

In 2020, Punkie Johnson joined Saturday Night Live as a featured player. This was for the show's forty-sixth season. She became a main cast member in 2022, before the 48th season began.

On August 1, 2024, it was announced that Johnson would not return to the show. She had been a cast member for four years. Her last episode aired on May 18, 2024, with host Jake Gyllenhaal.

Film and television roles

Here are some of the movies and TV shows Punkie Johnson has been in:

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2019 The Lot Punkie Short film
2020 Sixteen Thousand Dollars Jo'Nique Short film
2020 The Adventures of Whit Detective Short film
2023 Bottoms Rhodes
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Take My Wife Episode: "Episode 205"
2018 Adam Ruins Everything Ava Episode: "Adam Ruins Guns"
2019 Corporate Taylor the Tattoo Artist Episode: "The Fall"
2019 A Black Lady Sketch Show Dance Biter Episode: "Angela Bassett Is the Baddest ..."
2019 Crank Yankers Shasta Episode: "Jimmy Kimmel, Kathy Griffin & Jeff Ross"
2020 Bill Burr Presents: The Ringers Herself
2020 Space Force Staff Sergeant Kiki Rhodes Episode: "Space Flag"
2020–2024 Saturday Night Live Various characters Main cast member
2021 Love Life Ida Watkins Supporting role (season 2)
2022 Ghosts Ally 2 episodes
2023 Firebuds Cousin Fanny (voice) Episode: "Annie Spokely/Ingrid on Ice"

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Punkie Johnson para niños

  • LGBT culture in New York City
  • List of LGBT people from New York City
  • NYC Pride March
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