Zainab Johnson | |
Birth Place: | Harlem, New York, U.S. |
Nationality: | American |
Occupation: | Comedian, actress |
Known For: | Last Comic Standing, Upload |
Zainab Johnson is an American comedian and actress. She is best known as a semi-finalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing. Johnson is a series regular on Amazon's Upload.
Johnson was born and raised in Harlem, New York, one of thirteen children of a devout Muslim family.[1] She received her bachelor's degree in mathematics with the intention of becoming a teacher.[2]
Johnson later moved to Los Angeles to become an actress.[3] She took a job as a production assistant for comedy shows and began to cultivate an interest in comedy. She gained wider visibility when she appeared on season 8 of Last Comic Standing. Johnson advanced as a semi-finalist.[4]
In 2016, Johnson appeared on the HBO special All Def Comedy.[5] In 2017, it was announced that a project created and starring Johnson was in development via Wanda Sykes' production company at ABC. That year, she co-starred in the web series Avant-Guardians, opposite series creator Alesia Etinoff.[6]
She was named to Varietys 10 Comics to Watch for 2019.[7]
Johnson co-hosts the Netflix series 100 Humans.[8] She also has a recurring role in the 2020 Amazon series, Upload.[9] [10]
Johnson's comedy special entitled Hijabs Off was released as an Amazon Original program on October 20, 2023.