Punkie Johnson

Punkie Johnson is a comedian, writer and actor originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. Now based in New York City, she began her career as an emcee in Los Angeles, where she eventually became a paid regular at The World Famous Comedy Store. Known for her frank and honest comedic style, Johnson often draws from her personal life for her material. She made significant strides in her career when she was cast as a featured player on NBC's sketch comedy series, "Saturday Night Live," beginning in its forty-sixth season and continuing for four seasons. Johnson holds the distinction of being the eighth Black woman and the second Black LGBT woman to be a cast member on the show. She announced her departure from "Saturday Night Live" after its forty-ninth season.

In addition to her work on "Saturday Night Live," Johnson has appeared in a number of television series and films. Her credits include Netflix’s "Space Force," HBO’s "A Black Lady Sketch Show," CBS’ "Ghosts," and "Bill Burr Presents: The Ringers." She has also acted in films such as "The Lot," "Sixteen Thousand Dollars," "The Adventures of Whit," and "Bottoms." Johnson continues to receive acclaim for her acting, with TIME Magazine highlighting her performance in the HBO Max series "Love Life." Beyond acting, Johnson has lent her writing skills to Peacock’s "Queer as Folk" reboot, serving as a writer and consultant.

Johnson's talent was recognized early on when she was selected as a New Face at the Just for Laughs Festival in 2019. She remains a proud paid regular at the World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, having worked her way up from being a server to performing on stage. Currently, she is working on her own podcast, "Swamp Education," where she offers her unsolicited opinions about life and relationships. As a member of the queer community, Johnson's contributions to comedy and television continue to pave the way for diverse voices in the industry.