Janardhana Rao (Telugu: జనార్ధన రావు) famously known as Johnny Lever (Hindi: जॉनी लीवर, born 14th august,1956)is an actor in Bollywood known as a comedian of great regard who has appeared in several films since the 1980s playing comic supporting roles. He was born in Amkam village in the Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh.
Johnny Lever started off as a comedian in real life while still at school. His beginnings as a comedian in his village were mainly comprised of imitations of his teachers, his father and his grandfather. He could not study much though and dropped out of school when he was in seventh grade.
He often appears in cameos with Shahrukh Khan.
Johnny Lever is a very successful comedian and he was never discouraged. He got his first break in Indian cinema was in the film Dard Ka Rishta, thanks to the late Sunil Dutt, who saw him perform at a charity show organised by Kalyanji-Anandji. Since then, Johnny has worked in more than 160 films.
Even though he mimics many people, he has created a style of his own which makes him unique. As a person, he is very close to his family that comprises his wife Sujatha and two children Jamie and Jesse. His younger brother Jimmy Moses, is too, a stand up comedian and mimcry artist.
He also starred on Zee TV on his own show called Johny Aala Re.
On December 8, 1998, Johnny Lever was convicted and sentenced to seven days imprisonment for disrespect to the Indian National Anthem and Indian Constitution during a private performance in Dubai. According to the Police, this private performance was on the occasion of birthday party of the son of Anis Ibrahim, brother of international smuggler and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim{who is now in Dubai presently}.
