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 |
Early life
editJohnson, 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
editJohnson 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
editIn 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
editJohnson 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
edit| 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 |
| 2023 | Firebuds | Cousin Fanny (voice) | Episode: "Annie Spokely/Ingrid on Ice" |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Punkie Johnson Leaving 'SNL' After 4 Seasons". August 2024.
- ^ a b "Punkie Johnson". The Stand NYC. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ a b Reynolds, Daniel (September 16, 2020). "SNL Adds Black Lesbian Cast Member Punkie Johnson". The Advocate.
- ^ Steinberg, Brian (September 16, 2020). "Jim Carrey to Play Joe Biden in Next Season of 'Saturday Night Live'". Variety.
- ^ Ryan, Patrick (September 16, 2020). "'SNL': Meet the three new cast members joining Season 46". USA Today.
- ^ "Punkie Johnson - the Resurrection! • Films to be Buried with Brett Goldstein #195".
- ^ Eugenios, Jillian (June 1, 2021). "Comedian Punkie Johnson on making 'Saturday Night Live' history". NBC News.