Nicole Randall Johnson

Nicole Randall Johnson
Born (1973-12-09) December 9, 1973 (age 50)
Occupation(s)Actress, writer, producer
Years active1998–present

Nicole Randall Johnson (born December 9, 1973) is an American actress, writer and producer. Johnson is best known for her work on the sketch comedy series MADtv.

Biography

Johnson was born in Los Angeles, California, United States, North America. When she turned seven, Johnson's family left Los Angeles and she spent time growing up in Phoenix, Arizona and later, Portland, Oregon. She attended the University of Arizona, where she majored in theater. While pursuing her degree, Johnson performed in a number of plays and was a member of the school's sketch and improv group, Comedy Corner.[1]

After college, Johnson moved back to Los Angeles and began studying at The Groundlings School and Theatre, whose alumni include fellow MADtv cast members Phil LaMarr, Michael McDonald, and Daniele Gaither. She became a member of the school's Sunday Company, where she wrote and performed for a year before becoming a Series Regular on the acclaimed Bravo comedy series Significant Others.[citation needed]

Johnson has had recurring roles on Key & Peele, Reno 911!, and Andy Barker, P.I.. A few of her other television credits include guest-starring roles on Single Parents, Prime Suspect, Weeds, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Monk, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Shield, Hannah Montana, and Hot in Cleveland.[2]

Johnson has had supporting roles in such films as In Her Shoes (2005), The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005), Transformers (2007), Role Models (2008), and Murder Mystery (2019).[2]

MADtv

Johnson joined the cast of MADtv in 2005 as a feature performer and writer in the show's eleventh season. She became the third black female cast member in the show's history (Debra Wilson and Daniele Gaither were the first two respectively). She was promoted to repertory status for the show's twelfth season. Frequently recurring characters include Ka-Son and Darell, while her impersonations include Condoleezza Rice, Oprah Winfrey, Queen Latifah and Randy Jackson.

Original Characters

  • Ka-son: A customer service rep who gets in verbal confrontations with unruly customers. Her many jobs include: Komkast Kable phone rep, 1-800-Gifts-and-Flowers phone rep, Nightclub Door-Person and TSA Airport Security.[3]
  • Darell: A man who relentlessly asks women for their phone number.[4][5] The character is exceptionally recognized as one of the most popular characters on the show.

Celebrity impersonations

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1998 Open 'til 3 Diana Short
2004 Reaction The Acting Partner
2005 The 40-Year-Old Virgin Speed Dater
In Her Shoes Rose's Assistant
2006 Jimmy and Judy Prostitute
School for Scoundrels Shanice
2007 Transformers ASI Security Woman
License to Wed Louise
The Brothers Solomon Birthing Instructor
Truth Be Told - Video Short
2008 Have Tig at Your Party Kaotanda Jefferis - Black Person Video
Role Models Karen
2010 Lez Chat Disappointed Woman Short
2019 Murder Mystery Marisol
American Skin Tammi

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Felicity Resident Episode: "Ben Don't Leave"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nurse Episode: "The Hunger Artist"
2003 Miss Match Nicole Episode: "Who's Your Daddy?"
2004 The Parkers Mrs. Carter Episode: "Can Two Wrongs Make a Right?"
Dragnet Uni Cop Episode: "Frame of Mind"
Still Standing Karen Gault Episode: "Still Champions"
Reno 911! Bridesmaid/Stolen Hair Victim Episode: "Raineesha X" & "Department Investigation: Part 2"
Significant Others Alex Main Cast
2005 Listen Up Susan Episode: "Snub Thy Neighbor"
Half & Half Reporter Episode: "The Big Undercover Lover Episode"
Monk Frances Episode: "Mr. Monk Goes to the Office"
Inconceivable Dana Episode: "Balls in Your Court"
Curb Your Enthusiasm Omar's Receptionist Episode: "Lewis Needs a Kidney"
2005-07 MADtv Herself/Cast Member Featured Cast: Season 11, Main Cast: Season 12
2007 Andy Barker P.I. Clerk/Nicole Episode: "Pilot" & "Fairway, My Lovely"
The Shield Leticia Gregory Episode: "Back to One"
2008 Kath & Kim Suzette Episode: "Respect" & "Old"
Hannah Montana Lorraine Episode: "Ready, Set, Don't Drive"
2010 Hot in Cleveland Eleanor Episode: "It's Not That Complicated"
2011 Traffic Light Cop Episode: "Pilot"
2012 Prime Suspect Diane Carey Episode: "Stuck in the Middle with You"
Weeds Detective Crowley Episode: "God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise"
Greetings from Home Emma Main Cast
2012-13 Key & Peele Rap Video Mom/Katendra Episode: "I'm Retired" & "Obama Shutdown"
2013 The Crazy Ones Debbie Episode: "The Spectacular"
I Hate My Teenage Daughter Ginger Episode: "Teenage Cheerleading"
2016 The Crossroads of History Prudence Episode: "Smallpox"
2019 Single Parents Dr. Rhonda Episode: "The Shed"
2022 The G Word Various characters Supporting role

Commercial Spokesperson Campaigns

  • Sierra Mist - In 2006, the lemon-lime flavored soft-drink line Sierra Mist by PepsiCo hired Johnson to join five other comedic performers—Michael Ian Black, Tracy Morgan, Jim Gaffigan, Guillermo Diaz, and Eliza Coupe—to portray the Sierra Mist comedy team, the Mist Takes, in a nationwide, multi-spot television ad campaign.[6] Three commercials from the campaign, “Karate”, “Combover” and “Hospital Beds” debuted during Super Bowl XLI in 2007.
  • DriveTime - In 2013, auto financing company DriveTime hired Johnson, along with comedienne/actress Katie Crown, for a "DriveTime Girls" ad campaign,[7] each actress portraying one half of a comically eccentric duo of mobile credit approval agents "rescuing" potential car buyers rejected for financing by other auto dealers.

References

  1. ^ Chesnick, Mike (2012). "From UA to National Stage" (PDF). The University of Arizona Visitor Guide (Spring 2012). University of Arizona, Arizona Student Media: 20–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-17.
  2. ^ a b "IMDB".
  3. ^ "Mad TV- Ka-son: Airport Security". YouTube. 29 March 2008. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19.
  4. ^ "Mad TV-Can I Have Your Number". YouTube. September 2008. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19.
  5. ^ "Can i have your number? Part 2". YouTube. 7 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19.
  6. ^ "Sierra Mist Takes Karate Combover to Hospital". The Inspiration Room. 7 February 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  7. ^ "DriveTime Commercials 2014 / 2013". AdFibs. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2014.