Quick Info
| Profession | Actor, Comedian |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | 14/08/1957 |
| Age | 69 years |
| Birthplace | Kanigiri, Andhra Pradesh, India |
Latest News about Johnny Lever
20/03/2025
Johnny Lever announced his upcoming participation in a major reality comedy show on a leading Indian television network, where he will serve as a mentor to young comedians. He said he wants to nurture the next generation of stand-up artists and preserve the legacy of Indian comedy.
15/01/2025
Johnny Lever was honored with the Rashtriya Samman award in New Delhi for his contribution to Indian cinema and comedy. He thanked the organizers and reflected on his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a well-known Bollywood comedian.
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Bio/Wiki
| Real Name | John Prakash Rao Janumala |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Johnny Lever |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 165 cm |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
Educational Qualification(s)
| School | Andhra Education Society English High School |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualifications | 7th Standard |
Personal Life
| Age (as of 2023) | 66 Years |
|---|---|
| Age (as of 2026) | 69 Years |
Family
| Father | Prakash Rao Janumala (an operator in Hindustan Lever Ltd) |
|---|---|
| Mother | Karunamma Janumala |
| Siblings | Jimmy Moses (actor, playback singer, stand-up comedian & mimicry artist) & 1 more (both younger) |
| Spouse | Sujatha Johnrao Janumala |
| Children | Son - Jesse Johnrao Janumala, Daughter - Jamie Janumala aka Jamie Lever (Comedian, Actor, Singer) |
Career
| Debut | Bollywood Film: Tum Par Hum Qurban (Hindi, 1985), Telugu Film: Criminal (1995), Tamil Film: Anbirkku Alavillai (2011), TV: Johny Aala Re (in 2007 on ZEE TV) |
|---|---|
| Years Active | 1975 – present |
| Total Films | Over 350 |
| Awards | Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role (Won 2 times: Deewana Mastana 1997, Dulhe Raja 1998; Nominated 13 times) |
Favourites
| Music Director | Kalyanji-Anandji duo |
|---|
Style Quotient
| Car | Audi Q7 |
|---|
Social Media
| https://www.instagram.com/johnyleverofficial/ | |
| https://www.facebook.com/johnyleverofficial | |
| https://twitter.com/johnylever | |
| YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@johnyleverofficial |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. He was born into a Telugu Christian family. | |
| 2. His father worked as an operator at Hindustan Lever Ltd. | |
| 3. Growing up, he lived in Dharavi, specifically the King’s Circle area of Mumbai. | |
| 4. Financial difficulties led him to discontinue his studies after the 7th grade and take up odd jobs, such as selling pens on the streets of Bombay, mimicking Bollywood stars. | |
| 5. He honed his comedy skills in Yakutpura, an old city in Hyderabad. | |
| 6. During a function at Hindustan Lever Ltd, he imitated some senior officers and was affectionately dubbed Johnny Lever from then on. | |
| 7. He began his comedic journey by performing in orchestras and later joining Kalyanji-Anandji's group. | |
| 8. Despite also working at Hindustan Lever Ltd, he left the company in 1981 to focus on his lucrative stage performances. | |
| 9. He embarked on world tours with Kalyanji-Anandji and gained recognition. | |
| 10. Veteran actor Sunil Dutt noticed his talent at a show and offered him a significant role in the film "Dard Ka Rishta". | |
| 11. He starred in a commercial for Kachua Chhap, directed by Shekhar Kapoor. | |
| 12. His breakthrough came with the 1993 Bollywood film "Baazigar". | |
| 13. In 2014, he appeared in a Tulu film called "Rang". | |
| 14. He follows the Christian faith and shared a personal story of how his son's cancer was miraculously cured after fervent prayers. | |
| 15. Throughout his career, he has amassed over 350 film appearances. | |
| 16. He is credited as a trailblazer for stand-up comedy in India. | |
| 17. He has been nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role 13 times, winning twice for "Deewana Mastana" (1997) and "Dulhe Raja" (1998). |