Punkie Johnson

Punkie Johnson
Johnson in 2021
Born
Jessica Williams

(1985-04-29) April 29, 1985 (age 39)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
EducationNicholls State University (BA)
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • actress
Years active2015–present

Jessica Williams (born April 29, 1985),[1] known professionally as Punkie Johnson, is an American comedian and actress based in New York City and began her career as a stand-up comedian at The Comedy Store in California. Johnson is best known for being a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live for four seasons, joining its 46th season in 2020 and leaving in 2024 after its 49th season.[2]

Early life

Johnson, born Jessica Williams, was raised by her mother, Mary Johnson, in New Orleans, Louisiana, attending Catholic and public schools. She graduated from McDonogh 35 High School in 2003.[1][3]

Johnson studied at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where she graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies.[1]

Career

Johnson began her career as a stand-up comedian. She later joined The Comedy Store in Los Angeles as a paid regular.[3] In 2019, Johnson performed at Just for Laughs comedy festival.[4]

As an actress, Johnson has appeared in various television series such as Space Force, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Corporate, and Adam Ruins Everything.[5][6]

Saturday Night Live

In 2020, Johnson was cast as a featured player on Saturday Night Live, starting in its forty-sixth season. She was promoted to repertory status in 2022 before the beginning of the 48th season. On Thursday, August 1, 2024, after four years of being a cast member, it was announced that Johnson will not be returning to the show. Her final episode aired on May 18, 2024, with host Jake Gyllenhaal.[2]

Personal life

Punkie Johnson at the NYC Gay Pride Parade in 2022

Johnson is a lesbian as well as identifying with the queer community. She and her wife had been partnered since 2002,[4] but in a 2022 episode of the podcast Films To Be Buried With she revealed she was in the middle of divorce proceedings and had since begun a new relationship.[7] In a 2021 interview with NBC News, Johnson affirmed her LGBTQ identity, stating: "I'm just this little lesbian chick from New Orleans who is just enjoying life doing comedy".[8]

Filmography

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 Bitch"
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 Repertory 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"

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Art and Creativity Has Absolutely Nothing to do With Gender by Punkie Johnson of MewNowTV.com's TALKIN' POINTS". Film Courage. January 5, 2016. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Punkie Johnson Leaving 'SNL' After 4 Seasons". August 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Punkie Johnson". The Stand NYC. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Reynolds, Daniel (September 16, 2020). "SNL Adds Black Lesbian Cast Member Punkie Johnson". The Advocate.
  5. ^ Steinberg, Brian (September 16, 2020). "Jim Carrey to Play Joe Biden in Next Season of 'Saturday Night Live'". Variety.
  6. ^ Ryan, Patrick (September 16, 2020). "'SNL': Meet the three new cast members joining Season 46". USA Today.
  7. ^ "Punkie Johnson - the Resurrection! • Films to be Buried with Brett Goldstein #195".
  8. ^ Eugenios, Jillian (June 1, 2021). "Comedian Punkie Johnson on making 'Saturday Night Live' history". NBC News.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Punkie Johnson.