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.[1]
Zainab Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Zainab Johnson performing standup at Soul Joel's in Pottstown, PA on January 27, 2024 | |
| Born | Harlem, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, actress |
| Known for | Last Comic Standing, Upload |
Life
Johnson was born and raised in Harlem, New York, one of thirteen children of a devout Muslim family.[2] She received her bachelor's degree in mathematics with the intention of becoming a teacher.[2][3]
Johnson later moved to Los Angeles to become an actress.[4] She took a job as a production assistant for comedy shows and began to cultivate an interest in comedy.[4] She gained wider visibility when she appeared on season 8 of Last Comic Standing.[4] Johnson advanced as a semi-finalist.[5]
Career
In 2016, Johnson appeared on the HBO special All Def Comedy.[6] In 2017, it was announced that a project created and starring Johnson was in development via Wanda Sykes' production company at ABC.[5] That year, she co-starred in the web series Avant-Guardians, opposite series creator Alesia Etinoff.[7]
She was named to Variety's 10 Comics to Watch for 2019.[8]
Johnson co-hosts the Netflix series 100 Humans.[9] She also has a recurring role in the 2020 Amazon series, Upload.[1][10]
Johnson's comedy special entitled Hijabs Off was released as an Amazon Original program on October 20, 2023.