James Austin Johnson

James Austin Johnson (born July 19, 1989)[1][2] is an American comedian and actor originally from Nashville, Tennessee.[3] 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 was promoted to a repertory player in 2023.[5]

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.[3]

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.[6][7] During the season premiere's cold open, he portrayed President Joe Biden[8] 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."[9] Johnson was promoted to Repertory Status in 2023.[5]

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
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"
Robbie Ninja Turtle Episode: "Robbie vs. Ava vs. Danielle"
2021 Tuca & Bertie Kyle (voice) 2 episodes
Squidbillies Pharmacy Man (voice) Episode: "One Man Banned"
2021–present Saturday Night Live Various characters
2022–present Fairview Various characters (voice) Recurring role
2022 The G Word Various characters
Birdgirl Ed Todd/Kaptain Khaos (voice) Episode: "With a K"
2023 Barry Pastor #2 (voice) Episode: "the wizard"

References
  1. Rodgers, D. Patrick (July 25, 2022). "James Austin Johnson on Old Nashville, SNL and Trump". Nashville Scene. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  2. "JAMES AUSTIN JOHNSON: Saturday Night Live featured-player - NBC.com". NBC. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  3. Organ, Mike (August 6, 2016). "Peyton Manning 'just like George Clooney,' commercial co-star says". The Tennessean. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  4. 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.
  5. White, Peter; Grobar, Matt (October 4, 2023). "'SNL': Pete Davidson & Bad Bunny Among Hosts As NBC Show Sets Returns With SAG-AFTRA Blessing, Full Cast Comes Back For Season 49 & Chloe Troast Joins". Deadline. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
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