James Austin Johnson (born July 19, 1989), occasionally known by his initials, JAJ, is an American actor and comedian originally from Nashville, Tennessee. Johnson is currently a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy television series Saturday Night Live, which he joined the cast as a featured player for the show's 47th season in 2021. On SNL, he has impersonated both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Johnson was promoted to a repertory player in 2023, ahead of the show's 49th season.
Career[]
Johnson began his acting career starring in independent Christian films.
He has appeared in television series such as Adam Ruins Everything, Better Call Saul, and All Rise. In 2016, he appeared in a DirecTV television ad alongside National Football League veteran Peyton Manning.
In August 2020, Johnson's impression of President Donald Trump went viral in a video uploaded to Twitter, amassing over one million views.
In 2021, Johnson was cast as a featured player on Saturday Night Live, alongside Aristotle Athari and Sarah Sherman, for its forty-seventh season. During the season premiere cold open, he portrayed President Joe Biden and later portrayed President Trump beginning in the season's fifth episode. Johnson was promoted to repertory status in 2023.
During the season premiere's cold open, he portrayed President Joe Biden 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".
Johnson is also the first featured player in SNL history to say a solo "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night" 3 times in the 48th season.
He also reached his 100th sketches on SNL on March 11, 2023, the fifteenth episode of Season 48, hosted by actress Jenna Ortega, star of star of the Netflix's hit comedy horror series Wednesday and two of the hit Scream franchise movies: Scream and Scream VI, and the former child star of the Disney Channel comedy series Stuck in the Middle, with musical guests The 1975.
In 2024, Johnson reached his 200th milestone sketches on SNL on October 12, 2024, the third episode of Season 50, hosted by pop sensation and actress Ariana Grande, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
In March 2024, Deadline announced Johnson had been cast in the Bob Dylan biopic film A Complete Unknown.[15] Johnson voiced the character Pouchy in the 2024 Pixar animated film Inside Out 2.
Characters/Impressions[]
Characters[]
- Bob Dabilda
- Jim
- Soul Booth member
Impressions[]
- Joe Biden
- Joe Buck
- Larry the Cable Guy
- Jon Gruden
- Lindsey Graham
- Adam Driver
- Donald Trump
- Louis C.K.
- Mitch McConnell
- Vince McMahon
- Armie Hammer
- Bill Walton
- Jimmy Johnson
- Mike Lindell
- Jim Nantz
- Rick Rubin
- Werner Herzog
- Ernie Johnson Jr.
- Chelsey Sullenberger
- Bob Dylan
- Chuck Grassley
SNL Career[]
Gallery[]
