Personal Details

• 🎂 Date of Birth
• 14 August 1957
• 📍 Place of Birth
  Kanigiri, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Family
• Spouse: Sujatha Lever
• Children: Jamie Lever, Jessy Lever
• Siblings: Jimmy Moses
• 🎓 Education
• He studied at Andhra Education Society English High School until the seventh grade. Financial difficulties forced him to leave formal education, and he began working odd jobs, including selling pens on the streets of Mumbai. Even at this stage, he entertained people by mimicking famous Hindi film stars and performing dance routines, developing the foundation of his comedy skills. He also spent part of his early years in Yakutpura, Hyderabad, where he honed his unique style of comic performance.

Early Career

• Johnny Lever entered the film industry through mimicry and stage performances, which paved the way for his early recognition.
• 🎭 Early Performances and Recognition: Johnny Lever began his entertainment career by performing stand-up comedy and mimicry acts at public functions and events. His talent quickly gained attention leading to opportunities on stage and in live shows.
• 🎬 Securing First Work: His initial break came through his stage performances, which caught the eye of industry insiders. This led to his first film role, marking his official entry into Bollywood.
• 🌟 Debut and Initial Roles: His debut projects provided him with a platform to showcase his comedic timing and unique style. These early roles, though sometimes small, were crucial in introducing him to a wider audience and establishing his presence in the industry.
• challenges: Establishing a career in the competitive film industry was not without its hurdles. Early on he faced challenges in securing substantial roles and recognition amidst established comedians.

Career Journey

• A comedic icon who revolutionized Indian cinema with his unparalleled timing and expressions.
• 🎤 Stand-Up Comedy Career
• Johnny Lever started performing stand-up comedy in musical shows and orchestras, including the popular Tabassum Hit Parade. He later joined the music duo Kalyanji-Anandji for live performances. Lever is considered one of the first stand-up comedians in India and a pioneer of the profession. Before joining HUL, he was already giving stage performances, and due to increasing absenteeism from his job and better earnings from shows, he quit HUL in 1981.
• One of his first big tours was with Amitabh Bachchan in 1982, during which veteran actor Sunil Dutt noticed his talent and offered him a role in his first movie, Dard Ka Rishta. He also recorded a comedy cassette called "Hasi Ke Hangame", gaining recognition through audio performances, and appeared in commercials, including one for Kachua chhap incense directed by Shekhar Kapur.
• 🎬 Film Career
• Johnny Lever has acted in over 350 films across Hindi and regional cinema since 1981. He made his film debut with Dard Ka Rishta and later appeared in Jalwa, Hero Hiralal, Tezaab, and Kasam during the 1980s, gradually establishing himself as one of India’s most popular comedians. In the 1990s, he delivered major successes with films like Baazigar, Raja Hindustani, Deewana Mastana, Dulhe Raja, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Anari No.1, creating memorable comic characters such as Babulal in Baazigar, Madhav Advani in Yes Boss, and Ghafoor in Deewana Mastana. In the 2000s and 2010s, he continued his prolific career with movies like Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Awara Paagal Deewana, Housefull, Golmaal 3, De Dana Dan, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Dilwale, Judwaa 2, and Golmaal Again. He also ventured into regional cinema, featuring in Tamil (Anbirkku Alavillai), Tulu (Rang), Kannada (Gara), Gujarati (Pappa Tamne Nahi Samjaay, Jaysuk Zdpayo), and Marathi (Aflatoon) films.
• 🎤 Playback Singing
• In addition to acting, Johnny Lever has contributed as a playback singer, performing comedic songs in films such as Chaalbaaz (“Bhoot Raja”), Ravan Raaj (“Tu Cheez Badi Hai Sakht Sakht”), and Achanak.
• 🎙️ Dubbing and Voice Work
• Lever has also worked as a dubbing artist, notably voicing Senthil’s character Panneerselvam in the Hindi version of the Tamil film Hindustani (1996).
• 📺 Television Career
• Johnny Lever made his television debut in 1993 with Zabaan Sambhalke as Johnny Utolandand. He later hosted his show, Johny Aala Re (2006), appeared as a judge on Comedy Circus (2007), and acted in Partners Trouble Ho Gayi Double (2017–2018) in a double role. Most recently, he appeared in the 2023 show Pop Kaun?. He is also the president of MAAM (Mimicry Artist Association Mumbai) and has performed thousands of live shows worldwide, cementing his status as a pioneer of stand-up and comedic performance in India.

Achievements and Milestones

• Here's a list of awards received by Johnny Lever:
• Filmfare Award – Best Performance in a Comic Role – Deewana Mastana 1998
• Filmfare Award – Best Performance in a Comic Role – Dulhe Raja 1999
• Screen Award – Best Comedian – Raja Hindustani 1997
• Zee Cine Award – Best Actor in a Comic Role – Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega 2002