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 stated that he aims 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 prestigious 'Rashtriya Samman' award in New Delhi for his immense contribution to Indian cinema and comedy. The 67-year-old veteran actor expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting his journey from a small-town boy to a Bollywood icon.
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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). |