John Prakash Rao Janumala, better known by his stage name Johnny Lever (born on 14 August 1957) is an Indian actor and comedian who is known for his works in Hindi cinema. He is one of the most recognised comedic actors in India and is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedians in Indian Cinema. He has received numerous accolades, including thirteen Filmfare Awards nominations in Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comedic Role, and has won the award twice, for his work in Deewana Mastana (1997) and Dulhe Raja (1998). He began his career in 1984, and has acted in more than three hundred Hindi films.

Early life Lever was born on 14 August 1957 in a Telugu Christian family in Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh. His father worked as an operator in Hindustan Unilever plant where he also worked as a labourer for six years. Lever was brought up in King's Circle area of Matunga in Mumbai. He is the eldest in the family consisting of three sisters and two brothers (including his younger brother Jimmy Moses).

Lever studied in Andhra education society English high school until the seventh grade as he could not study further because of financial problems in his family. As a result, he decided to leave school and started working odd jobs, such as selling pens on the streets of Mumbai by mimicking some famous Hindi film stars of that time and dancing to the songs of Hindi film stars. He also spent his early years in Yakutpura, an old city of Hyderabad, where he learnt the unique style of comedy acting.

During a Hindustan Unilever company function, he mimicked a few senior officers, and from that day on, the workers said he is Johnny Lever. When he later joined the film industry, he decided to use Johnny Lever as his screen name.

Career Stand-up comedy career He started to perform stand-up comedy in musical shows (orchestras), Tabassum Hit Parade and after earning fame, joined the group of Kalyanji-Anandji, a music direction duo. Lever is one of the first stand-up comedians in India and widely regarded as pioneer of stand-up comedy profession in India. Even before joining Hindustan Unilever (HUL), he was giving stage performances. Because of his growing absenteeism and since he was earning well from stage shows, he quit HUL in the year 1981. He did a lot of shows and world tours with them, one of his first big tours being with Amitabh Bachchan in 1982. At one of his shows, veteran actor Sunil Dutt noticed his talent and potential and offered him his first movie Dard Ka Rishta.

He recorded a comedy cassette called Hasi Ke Hangame which gave him recognition at homes via the audio mode. During this period, he also did a few commercials for Kachua chhap incense, directed by Shekhar Kapur. In 1986, he performed in a charity show Hope 86 in front of members of the Hindi film industry as a filler. His talent was recognised, which resulted in producer Gul Anand offering him the film Jalwa, alongside Naseeruddin Shah.

Film career 1980s Lever got his first break in Tum Par Hum Qurban, in which the famous TV and stage compère and yesteryears actress Baby Tabassum launched her son Hoshang Govil as the leading man, and then with the film Dard Ka Rishta, thanks to Tabassum and the late Sunil Dutt. Since then, he has acted in more than 350 films including films such as Tezaab, Kasam, Khataranak and Kishen Kanhaiya . After Dard Ka Rishta, he was seen in Jalwa, Hero Hiralal with Naseeruddin Shah.

1990s His first major success came with Baazigar, and after that he was seen in movies as a supporting actor/comedian. Despite being busy with his movie roles, he continued to do live shows. One of his most memorable live performances was an impersonation of Michael Jackson at the 1999 Filmfare Awards. His most acclaimed performance was the character of "Babulal" in the film, Baazigar, directed by Abbas-Mustan. He is also remembered for some of his other famous characters, like "Chotta Chattri", "Aslam Bhai", etc.

2010s He also acted in a Tulu movie, Rang. His first Tamil feature film was Anbirkku Alavillai released in 2011. He also starred in a Kannada film, Gara.

Television career Lever's first appeared in an episode of sitcom Zabaan Sambhalke as Johnny Utolandand in 1993. Lever also appeared on Zee TV in his own show, Johny Aala Re. In 2007, he appeared as a judge on the stand-up reality show Comedy Circus. In 2017 Lever joined the cast of Partners as Commissioner Googol Chatterjee.

He is the president of MAAM (Mimicry Artist Association Mumbai), and has done thousands of live shows all over the world.

Personal life He married Sujatha Lever in 1984 and has two children Jamie and Jessy. His younger brother, Jimmy Moses, is also a comedian and mimicry artist. Actress Jamie Lever is his daughter.

Lever is a Christian. When asked about his transition to becoming a preacher, Lever replied:

It was God's will. I had always been a religious person, but one incident changed my life. My son was diagnosed with throat tumour. I was helpless and turned to God for help. I stopped working in films and spent all my time praying for him. Ten days later, when he was taken for a test, the doctors were surprised because the cancer had vanished. It was the beginning of a new life for me.

Filmography

Films

+ List of Johnny Lever film credits Year Title Role Notes1981 Yeh Ristha Na Tootay1982Dard Ka Rishta Joseph 1984 Ek Nai Paheli1985Tum Par Hum Qurban 1986 Love 86 Uttam Main Balwaan1987 Jalwa Muthu (The Masseur) Parivaar 1988 Ghar Main Ram Gali Main Shyam Srivastav's Servant Kasam HatyaBlacksmith Aakhri Adalat Havaldar Hero HiralalPolice constable Tezaab Munna's friend 1989 Suryaa Ilaaka Mujrim Shankar's PA Jaadugar Nilkant Kala Bazar Kutti Chai Walla ChaalBaaz Johny Baba TantrikSpecial appearance Main Azaad Hoon ProtesterUncredited 1990 KafanMajboor Bandh Darwaza Special appearance Kishen Kanhaiya Lobo Raeeszada 1991 Ajooba Kudrat Ka Vishnu-Devaa Havaldar No. 1Sapnon Ka Mandir Narsimha Tempo Dada 1992 Jungle Ka Beta Geet Milan Ke Gaate Rehenge Khiladi Anna Pillai Humla Shiva's Friend Chamatkar Cricket CommentatorTilakLakhan 1993 Teri Payal Meree Geet Yugandhar Bala Aasoo Bane Angaarey Anari Bablu Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka RajaSub Inspector Rang Birangi Anmol HimselfSpecial appearance Santaan Kalia Baazigar BabulalNominated- Filmfare Best Comedian Award Aulad Ke Dushman Johny Bhagyawan Game Jaggu Mahakaal 1994 Masti Zamane Se Kya Darna Kanoon Lakhiya Anjaam Champa Chameli Saajan Ka Ghar Ekka Raja Rani Guruji (Dance master) JuaariSalim Tension Prem Yog Main Khiladi Tu Anari Dhansukh Criminal Changu / HimselfSpecial appearance in Telugu version; shot in Telugu and Hindi languages Yaar Gaddar Police Inspector Mr. Azaad 1995 Inteqam Ke Sholey Dilbar Karan Arjun LinghaiyyaNominated- Filmfare Best Comedian Award Rock Dancer Police Inspector Johnny Ram Shastra Reporter Raja Haqeeqat Tony 1996 Jaan Damru Himmatwar Hahakar Chamcha Daraar Hari Bhishma Natwar Sapoot Deva Raja Hindustani Balvant SinghWon- Screen Award for Best Comedian