Punkie Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Punkie Johnson
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Johnson in 2021
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Jessica Williams
April 29, 1985 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
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| Education | Nicholls State University (BA) |
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| 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.
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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:
| 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 |
| 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
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Punkie Johnson at the NYC Gay Pride Parade in 2022
See also
In Spanish: Punkie Johnson para niños
- LGBT culture in New York City
- List of LGBT people from New York City
- NYC Pride March
