Mark Jake Johnson Weinberger (born May 28, 1978), known professionally as Jake Johnson, is an American actor. He has starred as Nick Miller in the Fox sitcom New Girl (2011–2018), for which he was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series in 2013. He has also voiced a version of Spider-Man in the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and its 2023 sequel.
Jake Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Johnson at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | Mark Jake Johnson Weinberger May 28, 1978 Evanston, Illinois, U.S. |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Spouse |
Erin Payne (m. 2011) |
| Children | 2 |
Johnson has also starred in Let's Be Cops (2014), and appeared in Paper Heart (2009), Safety Not Guaranteed (2012), 21 Jump Street (2012), Jurassic World (2015), The Mummy (2017), and Tag (2018). From 2022 to 2023, he starred in the comedy series Minx. In 2023, he made his directorial debut with Self Reliance.
Early life
editJohnson was born on May 28, 1978, in Evanston, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago, to Ken Weinberger, who owned a car dealership, and Eve Johnson, an artist who made stained glass windows.[2][3][4] He was named after his maternal uncle, Mark Johnson, who died at the age of 26 in a motorcycle accident in 1977, a year before Jake was born. Johnson attended New Trier High School in Winnetka. His parents divorced when he was two, and he and his older siblings, brother Dan and sister Rachel, were raised by his single mother. Johnson then took his mother's last name during high school.[3] He has stated that when he was 17, his father resurfaced and they became close.[5] His father Ken died in 2021.
Career
editJohnson grew up a fan of the Second City improv troupe. Raised in Wilmette, he graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka and started his post-secondary education at the University of Iowa. While in Iowa City, he wrote a play, which wound up earning him admission to the Dramatic Writing Department at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, followed by the 2002 John Golden Playwriting Prize and the Sloan Fellowship for Screenwriting. The New York City off-Broadway group The Ensemble Studio Theater produced his play Cousins.
While in New York, Johnson started a sketch comedy troupe The Midwesterners, modeling their material and style after HBO's sketch comedy Mr. Show with Bob and David. After moving to Los Angeles, Johnson supported himself as a waiter and a production assistant, also scoring a series of bit feature and guest TV roles. In 2007, he landed a more regular gig with the TBS mini-show Derek and Simon: The Show, produced by Bob Odenkirk.[6]
In 2009, he appeared in the mockumentary Paper Heart. In 2010, Johnson was cast in a small role in the Russell Brand comedy, Get Him to the Greek. He played Uma Thurman's character's brother in the romantic comedy Ceremony, and as a buddy of Ashton Kutcher's character in No Strings Attached. In 2011, he played Jesus in A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. In 2012, he appeared in the film version of 21 Jump Street, which starred Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. Johnson made an appearance at the 2012 Sundance Festival as one of the leads in Safety Not Guaranteed.[7]
From 2011 to 2018, Johnson starred as Nick Miller alongside Zooey Deschanel on New Girl. In 2013, he appeared in the music video for "Rouse Yourself", a song by indie-soul band JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound alongside his Safety Not Guaranteed co-star Aubrey Plaza.[8] He also starred (as a fictional version of himself) in a series of Dodge Dart commercials with Craig Robinson. In 2015, he played park informatician Lowery Cruthers in Jurassic World.[9][10] In 2017, Johnson starred as Eddie Garrett in the Netflix comedy film Win It All.[11]
The web series Drunk History was inspired by a 2007 conversation that Johnson had with series creator Derek Waters. Johnson, while drunk, was trying to describe the story of Otis Redding's death to Waters, and Waters was inspired to build a series around history narrated by drunk people. Johnson later appeared in the first episode of the web series as Aaron Burr. After it was adapted for television under the same title on Comedy Central, he appeared in the eighth episode as William B. Travis,[12] and the ninth episode of season three as Boris Spassky.
In 2018, Johnson appeared in the comedy film Tag as Randy Cilliano.[13] In the same year, it was announced that Johnson was cast in the lead role of Ben Hopkins in the Netflix adult animation series Hoops.[14] Also that year, Johnson provided the voice of Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
In 2019, Johnson was cast in the lead role of Grey McConnell in the ABC drama series Stumptown; he took over the role from Mark Webber, who played the character in the original pilot episode.[15]
In 2023, Johnson started an advice podcast entitled We're Here to Help with co-host Gareth Reynolds.[16] The same year, he made his directorial debut with Self Reliance.[17]
Personal life
editJohnson married Erin Payne, an artist, in 2006. They have twin daughters, Elizabeth and Olivia, born in 2014.[18][19]
Filmography
edit| † | Denotes works that have not yet been released |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Bunny Whipped | Basketball Player | |
| 2008 | Redbelt | Guayabera Shirt Man | |
| 2009 | Paper Heart | Nicholas Jasenovec | |
| 2010 | Get Him to the Greek | Jazz Man | |
| Ceremony | Teddy | ||
| Spilt Milk | Todd | ||
| 2011 | No Strings Attached | Eli | |
| A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas | Jesus Christ | ||
| 2012 | Safety Not Guaranteed | Jeff Schwensen | |
| 21 Jump Street | Principal Dadier | ||
| 2013 | Drinking Buddies | Luke Darlingson | |
| The Pretty One | Basel | ||
| Coffee Town | Will's Roommate | ||
| 2014 | The Lego Movie | Barry | Voice only |
| Neighbors | Sebastian Cremmington | ||
| Let's Be Cops | Ryan J. O'Malley | ||
| 2015 | Digging for Fire | Tim | Also writer/producer |
| Jurassic World | Lowery Cruthers | ||
| 2016 | Joshy | Reggie | |
| Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates | Ronnie | ||
| Lego Jurassic World: The Indominus Escape | Lowery Cruthers | Voice only Short film; Direct-to-video | |
| 2017 | Win It All | Eddie Garrett | Also writer/producer |
| Smurfs: The Lost Village | Grouchy Smurf | Voice only | |
| Flower | Raymond Vandross | Uncredited | |
| Becoming Bond | Peregrine Carruthers | Documentary | |
| The Mummy | Chris Vail | ||
| 2018 | Tag | Randy "Chilli" Cilliano | |
| Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse | Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man | Voice only | |
| 2021 | Ride the Eagle | Leif | Also writer/producer |
| 2023 | Self Reliance | Tommy | Also writer/producer/director[20] |
| Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse | Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man | Voice only | |
| 2025 | Wildwood † | Mr. McKeel | Voice only In production |
| TBA | Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse † | Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man | Voice only In production |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Derek and Simon: The Show | Jake | 6 episodes |
| Curb Your Enthusiasm | Man on Cell Phone | Episode: "The N Word" | |
| The Unit | Martin | Episode: "MPs" | |
| 2009 | Lie to Me | Howard Crease | Episode: "Love Always" |
| 2010 | FlashForward | Powell | Episode: "Countdown" |
| 2011–2018 | New Girl | Nick Miller | Main cast; 146 episodes Directed episode: "Bob & Carol & Nick & Schmidt" Nominated – Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series (2013) Nominated – TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy (2013) Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Best Actor Comedy (2012, 2013) Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy (2013) |
| 2011 | Allen Gregory | Joel Zadak (voice) | 6 episodes[21] |
| 2012 | NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Jorgen | Episode: "The Real Bicycle Thief" |
| 2013 | Ghost Ghirls | Eddie Hanson | Episode: "Home Is Where The Haunt Is" |
| 2013; 2015 | High School USA! | Mr. Structor (voice) | Main role[22] |
| 2013–2019 | Drunk History | Various | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Himself | Episode: "Jake Johnson Wears a Light Blue Button-Up Shirt and Brown Shoes" |
| No Activity | Cutler | Episode: "The American" | |
| 2015–2017 | BoJack Horseman | Oxnard (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2016 | We Bare Bears | Dave (voice) | Episode: "The Island" |
| 2016–2017 | Idiotsitter | 2 episodes | |
| 2016–2019 | Easy | Drew | |
| 2017 | Comrade Detective | Stan (voice) | Recurring role; 5 episodes |
| 2017–2019 | No Activity | DEA Agent John Haldeman | 3 episodes |
| 2019–2020 | Stumptown | Grey McConnell | Main cast |
| 2020 | Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet | Doc Michael | Episode: "A Dark Quiet Death" |
| Hoops | Ben Hopkins (voice) | 10 episodes; also executive producer[23] | |
| 2022 | Roar | Greg | Episode: "The Woman Who Found Bite Marks on Her Skin" |
| Lost Ollie | Daddy | Main cast | |
| 2022–2023 | Minx | Doug Renetti | Main cast; also co-executive producer |
| 2023 | History of the World, Part II | Marco Polo | Episode: "II" |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Lego Jurassic World | Lowery Cruthers | Voice |
| Lego Dimensions | Voice[24] |
Music videos
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "Hot Shower" | Jimmy Dickerson |
Playwright
edit| Year | Title | Role | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Cousins | Writer | Ensemble Studio Theater |
References
edit- ^ "Hollywood Offered Jake Johnson a Path to Mega-Stardom, He Chose a Regular Life". The Hollywood Reporter. July 17, 2023. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Jake Johnson". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Rising Star: 'New Girl's' Jake M. Johnson". Access Hollywood. November 15, 2011. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ "New Girl: 10 Things About Jake". FOX. October 31, 2011. Archived from the original on December 8, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ^ "Jake Johnson on His SXSW Comedy 'Drinking Buddies,' 'New Girl' Success". The Daily Beast. March 9, 2013. Archived from the original on May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ "Q&A with Jake Johnson | Anthem Magazine". anthemmagazine.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ "Jake M. Johnson". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- ^ "Watch Aubrey Plaza and Jake Johnson in JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound's 'Rouse Yourself' video - EXCLUSIVE". EW.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ Woerner, Meredith (June 11, 2015). "Who wears a 'Jurassic Park' T-shirt to 'Jurassic World?' Jake Johnson does". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^ Marnell, Blair (May 9, 2015). "Jurassic World Cast–A Look at the Characters". Comingsoon.net. Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
- ^ Koazk, Liz (August 20, 2015). "Jake Johnson Improvised a Whole Dang Movie". Second City. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ ""Drunk History" Creator Derek Waters & Director Jeremy Konner Interview". Complex. July 8, 2013. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ Weintraub, Steve (October 3, 2018). "Jake Johnson Talks 'Tag' and Shares Some Great Tom Cruise Stories". Collider. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (October 3, 2018). "Netflix Orders 'Hoops' Adult Animated Series Starring Jake Johnson From Ben Hoffman, Phil Lord, Chris Miller & 20th TV". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 29, 2019). "Jake Johnson To Co-Star On New ABC Drama Series 'Stumptown' In Recasting". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ Delkic, Melina (October 13, 2013). "A Comedy Advice Podcast Asks Listeners to 'Believe in the Bit'". The New York Times.
- ^ Gajewski, Ryan (June 29, 2023). "Jake Johnson's Directorial Debut 'Self Reliance' Lands at Hulu". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ Skipper, Clay (June 14, 2018). "New Girl's Jake Johnson Is Hollywood's Humblest (and Handsomest) Everyman". GQ. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ Radloff, Jessica (August 22, 2013). "Jake Johnson's thoughts on married life, drinking too much, and his New Girl co-stars". Glamour. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "SXSW 2023 Lineup Includes 'Dungeons & Dragons' Opening Night World Premiere; 'Evil Dead Rise', Eva Longoria's 'Flamin' Hot', A24's 'Problemista' & More". January 11, 2023. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ "Jake Johnson (8 Character Images)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- ^ Guide, T. V. "Journal Standard". www.journalstandard.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- ^ "Jake Johnson to Play 'Foul-Mouthed' High School Basketball Coach in Netflix Adult Animated Comedy 'Hoops'". October 3, 2018. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- ^ Traveller's Tales. Lego Dimensions. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Scene: Closing credits, 4:45 in, Voiceover Talent.