James Austin Johnson
James Austin Johnson[3] (born July 19, 1989) is an American comedian and actor originally from Nashville, Tennessee.[1] He has garnered attention for his impression of former U.S. president Donald Trump, sometimes being referred to as "the best Trump impersonator."[4] Johnson is currently a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy television series Saturday Night Live, which he joined as a featured player for the show's 47th season in 2021. On SNL, he impersonates both Trump and Joe Biden. Johnson lives and works in New York.
James Austin Johnson | |
---|---|
Born | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. | July 19, 1989
Alma mater | Trevecca Nazarene University[1] |
Years active | 2009–present |
Known for | Impersonations |
Spouse |
Rebekah Lain (m. 2018) |
Children | 1[2] |
Website | jamesaustinjohnson |
Career
In addition to the films Blue Like Jazz and Hail, Caesar!, Johnson has appeared in the television series Adam Ruins Everything, Better Call Saul, and All Rise. He has also filmed a DirecTV television ad with National Football League veteran Peyton Manning.[1]
In 2021, Johnson was cast as a featured player on Saturday Night Live, alongside fellow newcomers Aristotle Athari and Sarah Sherman, for its forty-seventh season.[5][6] During the season premiere's cold open, he portrayed President Joe Biden[7] and later portrayed former President Donald Trump in the season's fifth episode. Andy Hoglund, who recaps SNL episodes for Entertainment Weekly, said "he is one of the most exciting new cast members in years, a cross between Dana Carvey and Darrell Hammond. He's that kind of talent."[8]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | October Baby | Truman | |
2012 | Blue Like Jazz | Drunk Freshman | |
2014 | Rocket Pack Jack and the Babylon Virus | Krane | |
2016 | Hail, Caesar! | Studio Assistant at Action Western | |
2022 | She Said | Donald Trump | Voice |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Alumni | Jeffry | Television film |
2009 | Coffeeteria | Barrett Klausman | Miniseries |
2015 | Adam Ruins Everything | Farmer Jed | Episode: "Adam Ruins Summer Fun" |
2016 | The Last Tycoon | Movie Theater Usher | Episode: "Pilot" |
2017–2020 | Future Man | Young Gabe Futturman | 2 episodes |
2018 | Better Call Saul | Fred Whalen | Episode: "Winner" |
2019 | All Rise | Adam Connolly | Episode: "How to Succeed in Law Without Really Re-Trying" |
2020 | Kwaczala | Dennis (Glenn) | Episode: "I am a Lion" |
2020 | Robbie | Ninja Turtle | Episode: "Robbie vs. Ava vs. Danielle" |
2021 | Tuca & Bertie | Kyle (voice) | 2 episodes |
2021 | Squidbillies | Pharmacy Man (voice) | Episode: "One Man Banned" |
2021–present | Saturday Night Live | Various characters | Featured player |
2022–present | Fairview | Various characters (voice) | Recurring role |
2022 | The G Word | Various characters | |
2022 | Birdgirl | Ed Todd/Kaptain Khaos (voice) | Episode: "With a K" |
References
- Organ, Mike (August 6, 2016). "Peyton Manning 'just like George Clooney,' commercial co-star says". The Tennessean. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "James Austin Johnson on Instagram: "Hello Homer!"". Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
- "'SNL' Season 47: Beck Bennett and Lauren Holt Exit; Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Cecily Strong All Return". Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
- Rosen, Christopher (November 18, 2020). "The Best Trump Impersonator of All Would Never Prewrite a Trump Joke". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- Gomez, Dessi (September 29, 2021). "Here Are This Season's New 'SNL' Cast Members and Where You've Seen Them Before (Video)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- Bucksbaum, Sydney (September 27, 2021). "Meet the 3 new Saturday Night Live cast members joining season 47". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- Hudak, Joseph (October 3, 2021). "'SNL' Debuts New Joe Biden in Cold Open Skewering the Democrats' Bad Summer: James Austin Johnson takes over the role of Biden in a skit co-starring Aidy Bryant as a scene-stealing Joe Manchin". Rolling Stone. New York, NY: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- Hoglund, Andrew (November 6, 2021). "Saturday Night Live recap: Succession star Kieran Culkin hosts with musical guest Ed Sheeran". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.