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American actress and comedian (born 1985) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Punkie Johnson | |
|---|---|
Johnson in 2021 | |
| Born | Jessica Williams April 29, 1985 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Education | Nicholls State University (BA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2015–present |
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]
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]
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 1st, 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 18th, 2024, with host Jake Gyllenhaal.[7]
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.[8] 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".[9]
| 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 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 |
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