Punkie Johnson
About Punkie Johnson
Punkie Johnson (born Jessica Williams on 29 April 1985 in New Orleans) is an American comedian and actress based in New York City. She began her career as a stand-up comedian at The Comedy Store in California and 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.
Johnson was raised by her single mother, Mary Johnson, in New Orleans, Louisiana, attending Catholic and public schools, and graduated from McDonogh 35 High School in 2003. She then studied at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, graduating in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in general studies. She began her career as a stand-up comedian and later joined The Comedy Store in Los Angeles as a paid regular, and in 2019 she performed at the Just for Laughs comedy festival.
As an actress, Johnson has appeared in television series such as Space Force, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Corporate, and Adam Ruins Everything. On Saturday Night Live, she was promoted to repertory status in 2022 before the 48th season, and during that season she co-wrote the viral song "Big Boys". Her final episode aired on 18 May 2024 with host Jake Gyllenhaal. 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."
Videos (81)
Videos 25 to 48 of 81.
0:37Tour dates below!
2K views
0:34Every time the white guy talks, the whole barbershop goes dead silent.
2K views
0:21Tour dates below!
1.9K views
0:47Tour dates below!!
1.9K views
0:48Tour Dates Below!!
1.9K views
0:29Tour dates below!
1.9K views
0:30Tour dates below!
1.8K views
0:51I follow a gay code I don't even agree with.
1.8K views
0:23Paul Pierce looked out for strippers, zoom dancing just wasn't hitting the same.
1.8K views
0:42Tour dates below!
1.8K views
0:46Tour dates below!
1.7K views
0:46Tour dates below!
1.7K views
1:02Doing my man thing until something reminds me I'm still a woman. Ladies, you know that feeling.
1.7K views
0:40Tour Dates Below!
1.7K views
0:30Every family's got rules about who can make the potato salad. In mine you gotta earn it.
1.6K views
0:31Trying to love every part of my body.
1.6K views
0:34Tour Dates Below!
1.5K views
0:42No going back
1.5K views
0:42Tour dates below!
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0:47Tour dates below!!
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0:28Tour dates below!!
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0:54Tour Dates Below!
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1:03Tour dates below!
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0:24Tour dates below!
1.4K viewsGuest appearances (20)
Videos on other comedians' channels featuring Punkie Johnson.
Guest appearances 1 to 20 of 20.
9:02Jessica Williams Questions Sanders-to-Trump Supporters & Says Goodbye: The Daily Show
Jon Stewart
821.6K views
3:37Thank You, Jessica Williams: The Daily Show
Jon Stewart
394.4K views
4:53Jessica Williams on How SNAP Cuts Make America Look Like the Hunger Games | The Daily Show
Jon Stewart
336.8K views
1:02:25Jessica Williams (FULL EPISODE) | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend
Conan O'Brien
206.2K views
7:38Jessica Williams on Getting to Know Harrison Ford, Working on The Daily Show & Texting with Her Mom
Jimmy Kimmel
160.2K views
0:57Jessica Williams encourages voters to "hang on" despite the negativity surrounding the election
Jon Stewart
142.2K views
1:00:43Punkie Johnson Fell in a Hole
Caleb Daniel Hearon
138.3K views
5:55Jessica Williams & Phoebe Robinson - How “2 Dope Queens” Took Over HBO | The Daily Show
Jon Stewart
134.5K views
0:13Jessica Williams feels _____ about being Conan's friend.
Conan O'Brien
113.4K views
0:51Welcome to the Jessica Williams fan club, Jason Segel
Jon Stewart
97.5K views
8:59Jessica Williams on Being Very Tall, Going on Michelle Obama’s Podcast & Making Miniature Furniture
Jimmy Kimmel
94.5K views
1:12Jessica Williams Shares Debate Tips: The Daily Show
Jon Stewart
90.4K views
24:38Six Times Jessica Williams Crushed It as a Correspondent | The Daily Show
Jon Stewart
81.6K views
6:39Punkie Johnson Helped Travis Kelce After He Was Denied from an SNL After-Party
Seth Meyers
67.6K views
14:49Jessica Williams on Emmy Nomination for Shrinking & Working with Harrison Ford
Jimmy Kimmel
57K views
7:02Jessica Williams on Moving Back to LA, Her Parents Flirting & Landing The Daily Show Job at 22
Jimmy Kimmel
52.8K views
0:50Punkie Johnson reveals her post @fallontonight@SaturdayNightLive ritual.
Seth Meyers
35.1K views
4:00Jessica Williams Sings Monica's "Angel Of Mine" | Comedy & Karaoke Night
Broderick Dornell Smiley
6.9K views
0:24Punkie Johnson - FOTW
Dana Carvey
964 views
1:12:56Punkie Johnson | Thruline with Jay Larson
Jay Larson
424 viewsChannels on this page: Jon Stewart, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Caleb Daniel Hearon, Seth Meyers, Broderick Dornell Smiley, Dana Carvey, Jay Larson
Frequently asked questions
What is Punkie Johnson best known for?
She is best known for being a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live for four seasons, from its 46th season in 2020 until its 49th season in 2024.
What is Punkie Johnson's real name?
She was born Jessica Williams on 29 April 1985 in New Orleans and performs professionally as Punkie Johnson.
Where did Punkie Johnson begin her stand-up career?
She began her career as a stand-up comedian at The Comedy Store in California and later joined The Comedy Store in Los Angeles as a paid regular.
What viral song did Punkie Johnson co-write?
During Saturday Night Live's 48th season, she co-wrote the viral song "Big Boys".
On which other television series has Punkie Johnson appeared?
She has appeared in television series such as Space Force, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Corporate, and Adam Ruins Everything.
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