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Entertainment • Comedian

Johnny Lever

Johnny Lever is an Indian actor, comedian, and mimicry artist best known for his work in Hindi cinema.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Johnny Lever is an Indian actor, comedian, and mimicry artist best known for his work in Hindi cinema. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of stand-up comedy in India and has appeared in hundreds of films.

Early life

Johnny Lever was born John Prakash Rao Janumala on 14 August 1957 in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Sources state that he later grew up in Mumbai.

Career

He became known for stand-up and mimicry before moving into films. His screen career began in the 1980s, and he went on to become a familiar comic performer in Hindi cinema.

Recognition

Lever is widely described as a pioneer of stand-up comedy in India. He has received several Filmfare Award nominations for comic performance and won the award twice.

Personal life

He is married to Sujatha Lever and has two children, including Jamie Lever, who is also a comedian and actress.

Key facts

  • He is considered one of the first stand-up comedians in India.
  • He began his film career in the 1980s and has worked primarily in Hindi cinema.
  • He has been nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role multiple times and won it twice.
  • He is known for comic supporting roles and mimicry-based performance style.
  • He is the father of comedian and actress Jamie Lever.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Johnny Lever?
Johnny Lever is an Indian actor, comedian, and mimicry artist known for comic roles in Hindi films.
What is Johnny Lever’s real name?
His birth name is John Prakash Rao Janumala.
When was Johnny Lever born?
He was born on 14 August 1957.
What is Johnny Lever known for?
He is known for comic acting, mimicry, and being an early pioneer of stand-up comedy in India.
Is Johnny Lever related to Jamie Lever?
Yes. Jamie Lever is his daughter.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Lever
    Supports: Johnny Lever is an Indian actor and comedian; pioneer of stand-up comedy in India.
  2. News18 — https://www.news18.com/topics/johnny-lever/
    Supports: Birth name, career in Hindi cinema, stand-up comedy pioneer status, Filmfare nominations and wins, and film count.
  3. The Indian Express — https://www.indianexpress.com/about/johnny-lever/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, occupation, spouse, years active, and child information.
  4. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q983571
    Supports: Canonical name, birth date, occupations, and other structured biographical data.