Johnny Lever was born in a Telugu Christian Family on 14th August 1957 to Prakash Rao Janumala and Karunamma Janumala in Kanigiri, Andhra Pradesh. Prakash Rao Janumala was an operator in Hindustan Lever Limited Plant. Lever was brought up in Dharavi,King’s circle,Mumbai. He is the eldest in the family consisting of his three younger sisters and two brothers. He studied in Andhra Education Society English High School till seventh grade. He quit studying because the financial conditions of the family were not good. He started doing odd jobs such as selling pens on the streets of Mumbai and imitating Bollywood stars. He also stayed in Yakutpura, an old city of Hyderabad in the early years and also learnt comic acting over there. During a function at the Hindustan Lever Ltd. Company, he mimicked a few senior officers very well and they knicnamed him as Johnny Lever and that name stayed on when he joined the film industry .
Johnny Lever started performing stand up comedy at orchestras from where he began his career to become one of the top most comedians of the Indian Cinema. He joined Kalyan Ji Anand Ji, the musical duo after earning fame as a stand up comedian. He was working with Hindustan Lever from where he got the name by his colleagues as Johnny Lever. He quit working with them as he was unable to attend work regularly as he was in demand for Stand up comedy shows very often which fetched him more income He started doing world tours and various shows out of which one of the big tours in which he performed was with Amitabh Bachchan in 1982. Sunil Dutt saw him performing during one of his stage shows and impressed by him, Sunil Dutt offered him his first film Dard Ka Rishta. He also did a few commercials for the Kachua Chap incense which was directed by Shekhar Kapoor. He performed in a charity show in 1986 called Hope 86 in front of the Hindi film industry people and he was loved a lot by the audience. After seeing him perform , producer Gul Anand offered him a role in the film Jalwa alongside Naseerudin Shah. Johnny Lever acted in more than 350 films including Tezaab, Kasam and Kishen Kanhaiya. Baazigar with Shahrukh Khan and Kajol was his first major success which resulted into him being in the movies as supporting actor or comedian. His character of BabuLal in Baazigar is the most critically acclaimed role. His roles like Chota Chatri and Aslam Bhai also got very famous and are still remembered by his fans who love him for his great sense of humour. His screen presence is well received by the audience . His performance in Judaai with Sridevi, Anil Kapoor and Urmila was appreciated and in the film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke with Salman Khan and Rani Mukherjee. Johnny Lever speaks Tulu fluently because of his neighbours in mumbai which also bagged him Tulu movie Rang. He had a cameo appearance in the Telugu movie Criminal directed by Mahesh Bhatt. Johnny also had his own tv show Johnny Aala Re on Zee TV. The multi starrer movie Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya was also a big hit. The filmography of Johnny Lever includes Yeh Rishta Na Tute 1981, Ek Daav Bhutacha 1982 was a marathi movie where he acted as a fake tantrik. In 1985, he appeared in Tum par Hum Qurban. Main Balwan and Love 86 in 1986. Jalwa in 1987. In 1988, he appeared in Tezaab, Kasam, Hatya, Ghar mein Ram Gali me Shyam, Aakhri Adalat and Hero Hiralal. Suryaa, Ilaaka, Mujrim, Kala Bazaar, Chaalbaaz and Main Aazaad Hu were his movies in 1989. In 1990, he appeared in Kafan, Kishen Kanhaiya, Raeeszada and also in a marathi movie named Khatarnaak. In 1991, he acted in Ajooba Kudrat Ka, Vishnu Deva and Narsimha. In 1992, he appeared in Humla,and Jungle ka Beta. Insaniyat ka Devta, Yugandhar, Roop Ki Rani Choro Ka Raja, Anmol, Anari, Santan, Baazigar, Aulaad ke Dushman and Bhagyawan. In 1994, he acted in Masti, Mahakaal, Saajan Ka Ghar, Anjaam, Juari, Prem Yog, Criminal, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Mr. Azad and Kanoon. In 1995, he acted in Karan Arjun, Dilbar, Haqeeqat, Rock Dancer and Inteqam Ke Sholey. Jaan, Himmatwar, Indian, Daraar, Sapoot, Raja Hindustani and Dushman Duniya Ka were his movies in 1996. In 1997, he appeared in Judaai, Jodidar, daayen, Ghungat, Auzaar, Himalaya Putra, Koyla, Yes Boss, Judge Mujrim, Krishna Arjun, Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi and Ishq. In 1998, he acted in Barsaat Ki Raat, Miss 420, Aunty No. 1, Mard, Jiyala, Jab Pyaar Kisise hota hai, Achanak, Dulhe Raja, Barood, Iski Topi Uske Sar, Tirchhi Topiwale, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Soldier and Wajood. In 1999, he appeared in Heeralal Pannalal in double role, Dulhan Banoo Main Teri, Ganga Ki Kasam, Benaam, Daag, Lawaris, International Khiladi, Hum Tum pe Marte Hai, Badshah, Hello Brother and Jaanwar. Krodh, Jwalamukhi, Hadh Kar Di Aapne, Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya, Meri Jung Ka Ailaan, Beti No. 1, Kunwara, Mela Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Hum To Mohabbat Karega, Badal, Joru Ka Ghulam, Deewane hue , Fiza and Shikari. In 2001, he appeared in Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Asoka, Ajnabee, Dial 100, Nayak, Lajja, . In 2002, he appeared in Akhiyon Se Goli Maare, Badmaash no. 1, Angaar, Awaara Pagal Deewane, Humraaz, Jaani Dushman. Kuch Toh hai, Khushi, Indian Babu, Andaaz, Chalte Chalte, Main Prem Ki Deewani Hu, Aisa Kyoon and Koi Mil Gaya were the movies in 2003. In 2006, he appeared in 36 China Town, Phir Hera Pheri and Sandwich. In 2008, he appeared in Race, Aap Jaaisa Koi Nahi, Khallbali and Paying Guests. In 2009, he appeared in All the best, Dhoondte Reh Jaoge, Aao Wish Karein and De Dana Dan. Dulha mil Gaya, Bhavnao Ko Samjho, prem ka game and Golmaal 3 were his movies in 2010. In 2012, he appeared in Housefull 2, Players and Khiladi 786. He was last seen in Dilwale in 2015. Star Screen Awards For Best Comedian in 1997. Filmfare best Comedian Award for two consecutive years in 1998 and 1999. Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in Comic Role 2002.
| # | Released Date | Type | Credited As | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 Dec 2025 | Film | Supporting Actor | Awara Paagal Deewana 2 |
| 2 | 20 Dec 2024 | Film | Supporting Actor | Welcome To The Jungle |
| 3 | 22 Nov 2024 | Film | Supporting Actor | I Want To Talk |
| 4 | 29 Dec 2023 | Film | Supporting Actor | Three Cheers |
| 5 | 21 Jul 2023 | Film | Actor | Aflatoon |
| 6 | 28 Apr 2023 | Film | Supporting Actor | Bad Boy |
| 7 | 23 Dec 2022 | Film | Supporting Actor | Cirkus |
| 8 | 29 Nov 2022 | Film | Supporting Actor | Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal |
| 9 | 03 Jun 2022 | Film | Actor | Jaysuk Zdpayo |
| 10 | 13 May 2022 | Film | Actor | 48 Ghante: Do Dil Do Raat |
| 11 | 02 Oct 2021 | Film | Actor | Safaibaaz The Scavenger |
| 12 | 17 Sep 2021 | Film | Supporting Actor | Bhoot Police |
