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Jake Johnson
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Jake Johnson
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Mark Jake Johnson Weinberger (born May 28, 1978) 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.

Key Information

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

[edit]

Johnson 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

[edit]

Johnson 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]

Johnson in 2012

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

[edit]

Johnson married Erin Payne, an artist, in 2006. They have twin daughters, Elizabeth and Olivia, born in 2014.[18][19]

Johnson is a fan of several Chicago sports teams, including the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears.[20][21][22]

Filmography

[edit]
Key
† Denotes film or TV productions 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[23]
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man Voice only
2026 The Sun Never Sets † TBA Also producer
The Dink † Dusty Boyd Also producer; Post-production[24]
Wildwood † TBA Voice only; In production
2027 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[25]
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[26]
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[27]
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[28]

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]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jake Johnson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jake Johnson (born Mark Jake Johnson Weinberger; May 28, 1978) is an American , , , director, and producer best known for his portrayal of Nick Miller in the New Girl (2011–2018). His breakthrough role as the sarcastic, brooding bartender earned him critical acclaim and a nomination for the Critics' Choice Television Award for in a Series in 2013. Johnson has since expanded his career into , , and directing, voicing an older Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man in the animated films (2018) and (2023), and making his feature directorial debut with the comedy-thriller (2023), in which he also starred. Born in , Johnson was raised by his single mother, Eve Johnson, after his parents' divorce; he adopted her surname in high school. Of Ashkenazi Jewish descent on his father's side (with roots in , Poland, and ) and English, Irish, and Polish Catholic ancestry on his mother's, Johnson grew up as a dedicated Chicago Cubs and Bears fan in the suburbs. He briefly dropped out of high school but later returned to graduate, attended the and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before moving to to pursue . Johnson's early career included small roles in independent films such as Paper Heart (2009) and (2012), followed by supporting parts in mainstream comedies like (2012), (2014), (2014), (2015), and The Mummy (2017). After New Girl concluded, he starred as the publisher Doug Renetti in the HBO Max (later ) series Minx (2022–2023), a period comedy about a 1970s feminist erotic magazine. In recent years, Johnson has taken on producing roles and upcoming projects include the pickleball comedy The Dink (2025) opposite for Apple TV+, the series Give It Up (2025), the dark comedy thriller series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (2025) opposite for Apple TV+, and an untitled romantic drama film directed by .

Early life and education

Family background

Jake Johnson was born Mark Jake Johnson Weinberger on May 28, 1978, in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb north of Chicago. He was named after his uncle Mark Johnson, who had died at the age of 26 in a motorcycle accident the previous year. His father, Ken Weinberger, was a Hungarian Jewish car dealership owner on Chicago's South Side, while his mother, Eve Johnson, worked as a stained glass artist. Johnson is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent on his father's side (with roots in Hungary, Poland, and Russia) and English, Irish, and Polish Catholic ancestry on his mother's side. Johnson's parents divorced when he was approximately two and a half years old, after which his father became largely absent from his life until his teenage years; he and his older siblings were subsequently raised by their single mother in the Chicago area. Johnson grew up with two older siblings: brother Dan and sister Rachel. During high school, he adopted his mother's surname, Johnson, both to honor his family heritage and to simplify his professional identity as he pursued acting. His childhood was marked by a strong connection to Chicago's cultural scene, including an early fascination with comedy influenced by watching Saturday Night Live and the impact of John Belushi's death, which occurred when Johnson was just three years old. He developed a passion for local improv theater, becoming a fan of the Second City troupe, which shaped his interest in performance from a young age. As a child, Johnson also immersed himself in sports, particularly as a devoted fan of the Cubs and Bears, a loyalty that has remained a defining aspect of his personal identity and public persona. These formative experiences in a close-knit, single-parent household amid 's vibrant arts and sports culture provided the backdrop for his early development, fostering a grounded perspective amid family challenges.

Academic pursuits

Johnson briefly dropped out of New Trier High School in , during his sophomore year at age 15, but later returned and graduated before pursuing higher education. Growing up in the area as a dedicated fan of improv troupe, he developed an early appreciation for comedy and performance that influenced his creative path. He began his college studies at the in Iowa City, majoring in for two years. During this time, Johnson wrote a play that earned him admission to the Dramatic Writing Program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He transferred to NYU, where he continued honing his skills in writing for theater and film, ultimately earning a degree in dramatic writing. His work at Tisch culminated in receiving the 2002 John Golden Playwriting Prize, recognizing his emerging talent in scriptwriting. These academic experiences solidified Johnson's interest in and writing by immersing him in collaborative environments, drawing from the improvisational roots of comedy and the structured dramatic training at NYU. Professors and peers in the Tisch program provided key influences, encouraging his blend of humor and narrative depth seen in later projects. Following graduation, he relocated to in early 2004 to pursue a career in . To support himself initially, Johnson took on various odd jobs, including waiting tables, working as a , delivering furniture, and construction work involving .

Career

Early roles and breakthrough

After moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting, Johnson began with small guest appearances on television, including as FBI Agent Powell in the ABC sci-fi drama in 2009. These early gigs, along with brief film parts in movies like Paper Heart (2009) and (2010), marked his initial forays into professional acting amid the competitive audition circuit. Johnson's breakthrough came with his casting as Nick Miller, the grumpy bartender and everyman archetype, in the sitcom , which premiered in 2011 and ran until 2018. Recommended for the role by creator Liz Meriwether after their collaboration on No Strings Attached, he endured a rigorous audition process involving multiple callbacks during pilot season. A key chemistry read with lead helped secure the part, transforming what he initially saw as a short-term gig into a career-defining opportunity. The series quickly elevated Johnson's visibility, earning five Primetime Emmy nominations in , including for Outstanding in a Series (Max Greenfield) and Outstanding Directing for a Series. Fans embraced his portrayal of as a relatable, flawed , fostering a lasting that Johnson later described as surprisingly intense given the character's initial underdog status. Concurrently, Johnson appeared in early film cameos that capitalized on his rising profile, such as playing Eli, the roommate of Natalie Portman's character, in the romantic comedy No Strings Attached (2011) and Principal Dadier in the action-comedy (2012). Transitioning from his improv roots at to scripted television presented challenges, including adapting to network constraints, but New Girl allowed significant improvisation, easing the shift while honing his comedic timing.

Television stardom

Following the success of his breakthrough role as the sarcastic bartender Nick Miller on (2011–2018), Johnson expanded his television presence with lead and recurring roles that highlighted his comedic range and growing dramatic subtlety. In 2020, he starred as the voice of , a frustrated high school basketball coach navigating personal and professional chaos, in the Hoops, which he led alongside a including and ; the show, produced by , ran for one season and was noted for its irreverent humor targeting sports tropes. Johnson's most prominent live-action recurring role post-New Girl came in Minx (2022–2023), where he portrayed Doug Renetti, the opportunistic publisher of a pioneering feminist pornography magazine set in 1970s Los Angeles. As a co-lead opposite Ophelia Lovibond, Johnson's character evolved from a self-serving hustler to a figure grappling with ethical dilemmas in the adult industry, blending sharp wit with vulnerability. The series, created by Ellen Rapoport, earned Johnson acclaim for his charismatic yet flawed performance, with reviewers highlighting how he infused Doug with authentic period flair and emotional layers that distinguished the show amid its risqué premise. In voice work, Johnson provided the exasperated tones for Oxnard, the meerkat accountant to the chaotic Mr. Peanutbutter, in multiple episodes of the Netflix animated series BoJack Horseman spanning 2015 to 2020, including appearances after New Girl's conclusion. This recurring guest role allowed him to contribute to the series' signature mix of absurdity and pathos, with Oxnard's deadpan reactions underscoring the show's exploration of Hollywood dysfunction. Johnson's television persona has since shifted from the affable slackers of his early career to more multifaceted characters, as seen in Doug's moral ambiguities and Oxnard's quiet frustrations, earning praise for demonstrating his ability to layer with dramatic nuance. Upcoming television projects include the comedy series Give It Up (2025), in which Johnson stars as a washed-up touring to revive his career, and the dark comedy thriller Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed for Apple TV+, where he plays Karl, the ex-husband of the lead character, opposite (announced July 2025). Johnson participated in nostalgic events, including a 2023 impromptu reunion with co-star that captured the cast's enduring chemistry, further solidifying his ties to the series that launched his stardom.

Film appearances

Johnson began his film career with supporting roles in independent cinema, notably appearing as Jeff in the 2012 sci-fi comedy , directed by , where he played a writer investigating a classified ad. His performance contributed to the film's critical acclaim for its quirky ensemble dynamics and heartfelt exploration of regret and possibility. The following year, Johnson earned his first lead role in Joe Swanberg's (2013), portraying Luke, a worker navigating romantic tensions with co-worker Kate (); the film was lauded for the natural, improvisational chemistry between Johnson and Wilde, capturing the nuances of modern relationships in a low-key indie setting. Transitioning to larger-scale productions, Johnson took on supporting roles in mainstream comedies, including Ryan, a hapless officer, in the buddy-cop spoof (2014), co-starring Damon Wayans Jr., which highlighted his comedic timing in ensemble hijinks. That same year, he voiced Barry, a neurotic , in the animated blockbuster , adding to the film's satirical take on corporate conformity through his deadpan delivery. His breakout in blockbusters came with the role of Lowery Cruthers, a tech-savvy control room operator, in (2015), where he provided comic relief amid the dinosaur chaos, helping the film gross over $1.6 billion worldwide. In 2018, Johnson voiced an older, world-weary Peter Parker/ in the animated hit , earning praise for infusing the character with relatable vulnerability and humor, contributing to the film's Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. He reprised the role in the sequel (2023). Johnson's television success on New Girl opened doors to more prominent film opportunities, allowing him to balance comedic leads with dramatic elements. In recent years, he starred as and made his directorial debut with Tommy in the thriller-comedy Self Reliance (2023), playing a paranoid everyman hunted in a reality show experiment; the film showcased his ability to blend suspense with self-deprecating wit. Looking ahead, Johnson stars opposite Ben Stiller in the sports comedy The Dink (TBA), directed by Josh Greenbaum and produced by Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films for Apple Original Films, in which he plays a washed-up tennis pro reluctantly turning to pickleball to save a club; the project was acquired by Apple in August 2025. He is also set to star in an untitled Alaska-set romantic drama directed by Joe Swanberg (announced August 2025), alongside Dakota Fanning and Cory Michael Smith.

Directing and creative projects

Johnson made his feature-length directorial debut with (2023), a comedy-thriller he also wrote and starred in, which premiered at and was released on . The film follows a man unwittingly cast in a deadly international reality show, blending humor with paranoia, and was inspired by Johnson's fascination with Japanese game shows. Production faced challenges amid the , including a compressed 18-day shooting schedule in that required rapid adaptations to health protocols and logistical constraints. Prior to directing, Johnson established himself as a writer with credits in independent films. He co-wrote Win It All (2017), a comedy-drama directed by , in which he also starred as a addict navigating temptation and redemption. Johnson later co-wrote and co-produced Ride the Eagle (2021) with director , a dramedy about and personal growth that was conceived and filmed during the early months of the , emphasizing intimate, low-budget storytelling. These projects highlight his collaborative approach to , often drawing from personal experiences of vulnerability and humor. Johnson's creative roots trace back to playwriting during his early career. While studying dramatic writing at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, he penned Cousins, a play produced off-Broadway by the Ensemble Studio Theatre, which earned him the 2002 John Golden Playwriting Prize and a Sloan Fellowship for . Pre-fame in , he continued writing plays and short stories, though many remained unproduced as he pivoted to acting in commercials and small roles. In 2024 interviews promoting , Johnson expressed aspirations for more directing work, describing it as a deeply personal commitment akin to "marrying a project," but indicated he would prioritize acting roles in the near term while keeping future creative endeavors open.

Personal life

Relationships and family

Johnson has been in a with artist Erin Payne since 2003, when they met at a bar in shortly after he moved there for his career. The couple married in 2005 after two years of dating and have maintained a notably private partnership, with Johnson emphasizing in interviews that their personal life remains off-limits to the public. In 2014, Johnson and Payne welcomed twin daughters, Elizabeth and Olivia, marking a significant shift toward family priorities amid his rising fame. The family rarely appears in public or on , with the couple sharing only occasional anecdotes, such as Johnson's lighthearted comments about cooking family dinners during a 2020 appearance on . This emphasis on privacy extends to protecting their children's lives from media scrutiny, as evidenced by limited sightings, including a brief appearance at a 2022 fundraising event. Fatherhood has profoundly influenced Johnson's approach to his career, particularly during the later seasons of (2011–2018), where he balanced demanding filming schedules with parenting young children. In a 2013 Glamour interview, he reflected on how and impending family life grounded his decisions, prioritizing stability over Hollywood excess. Johnson has occasionally discussed these dynamics in broader terms, noting in a 2014 Variance feature how Payne's support allowed him to navigate professional pressures while embracing domestic responsibilities. Raised by a single mother alongside his older brother Dan and sister after his parents' divorce when he was two, Johnson credits his childhood family structure with shaping his values around commitment and in his adult relationships.

Public persona and interests

Johnson maintains a low-key public , prioritizing amid the scrutiny of Hollywood. He has consistently expressed a desire to shield his family life from media attention, emphasizing the importance of normalcy outside his professional endeavors. In interviews, Johnson has described opting for a "regular life" over blockbuster fame, including hand-building a small studio cabin in his East backyard as a personal workspace to balance career demands with everyday routines. A Chicago native, Johnson is an avid sports enthusiast, particularly devoted to the Chicago Cubs. He has attended numerous games at , including throwing the in 2023—during which he secretly spread some of his late father's ashes on the field—and singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the in 2015, an experience he later recounted as nerve-wracking yet memorable. Johnson frequently shares his fandom in interviews, recounting superstitious rituals like watching the Cubs' Game 7 win from a specific spot to avoid jinxing the team, and has bonded with players such as former catcher via . His passion extends to other Chicago teams, like the Bears, which he discussed during a 2023 radio appearance. Johnson's comedic sensibilities are deeply rooted in his Chicago upbringing, where he idolized improv troupe from a young age. This influence shaped his approach to acting, leading him to embrace improvisation in projects like the 2013 film , where he discussed adhering to improv rules such as "yes, and" to build authentic scenes with co-stars. He has credited this background for his comfort in unscripted moments, including co-writing and improvising elements in collaborations with director , such as in 2015. In recent reflections, Johnson has opened up about the challenges of sustaining a long-running acting career, describing an "" during his time on that left him feeling creatively unfulfilled and questioning his path in Hollywood. Speaking in early 2024, he linked these pressures to the relentless pace of television production, which prompted him to pivot toward directing and selective roles to regain balance, though he noted the industry's demands often exacerbate feelings of isolation and self-doubt. This candor underscores his advocacy for prioritizing personal well-being over constant visibility. Among his hobbies, stands out as a grounding pursuit, reflecting a hands-on that echoes his early days in . Before breaking through in , Johnson supported himself by working as a parker to cover rent on his first , a gig that honed his appreciation for practical, tangible labor. He later channeled this into building furniture and structures, including the backyard cabin that serves as his creative retreat. Johnson has tied these activities to maintaining mental clarity amid Hollywood's chaos, viewing them as essential escapes that foster creativity without the spotlight.

Filmography

Film roles

  • 2009: Paper Heart as Himself/Jake
  • 2011: Ceremony as Teddy
  • 2011: No Strings Attached as Eli
  • 2012: 21 Jump Street as Principal Dadier
  • 2012: Safety Not Guaranteed as Jeff
  • 2013: Coffee Town as Roommate
  • 2013: Drinking Buddies as Luke (lead)
  • 2013: The Pretty One as Basel
  • 2014: Let's Be Cops as Ryan O'Malley (lead)
  • 2014: Neighbors as Sebastian Cremmington
  • 2014: Sex Ed as Eddie
  • 2014: Someone Marry Barry as Eddie
  • 2015: Digging for Fire as Tim (also screenwriter)
  • 2015: Jurassic World as Lowery
  • 2016: Joshy as Reggie
  • 2017: The Mummy as Sgt. Vail
  • 2017: Win It All as Eddie Garrett (lead, also screenwriter)
  • 2017: Flower as Raymond Vandross
  • 2018: Tag as Randy "Chilli" Cilliano
  • 2021: Ride the Eagle as Leif (lead, also screenwriter and producer)
  • 2023: Self Reliance as Tommy (lead, also director, screenwriter, and producer)
  • 2025: The Dink as washed-up tennis pro (lead)
  • 2025: Untitled Joe Swanberg romantic drama as TBA

Television roles

Johnson's television career began with a guest appearance as Russ in the Fox comedy series The Loop in 2006. He followed with guest roles in several series, including Clark and Michael (2007) as the Audition Director, Lie to Me (2009) as Howard Crease, and FlashForward (2010) as Powell. Johnson achieved prominence as a series regular playing Nick Miller in the Fox sitcom New Girl from 2011 to 2018, appearing in all 146 episodes. Subsequent recurring and guest roles include (voice) in the Netflix animated series Hoops (2020, 10 episodes), Grey McConnell in the ABC drama Stumptown (2019–2020, 18 episodes), and Doug Renetti in the Max comedy Minx (2022–2023, 12 episodes). He is set to star in the Apple TV+ dark comedy thriller series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (2025).
Year(s)TitleRoleEpisodesNotes
2006The LoopRuss1Guest role
2007Clark and MichaelAudition Director1Guest role
2007Man on Cell Phone1Guest role
2009Howard Crease1Guest role
2010Powell1Guest role
2011–2018Nick Miller146Main cast
2019–2020StumptownGrey McConnell18Main cast
2020Hoops (voice)10Main cast
2022–2023MinxDoug Renetti12Recurring role
2025Maximum Pleasure GuaranteedTBATBAMain cast

Voice acting

Johnson's voice acting career gained momentum with his debut in animation as Barry, a hapless construction worker Lego minifigure, in the ensemble-cast film (2014), directed by . His performance contributed to the film's satirical take on toy worlds, blending humor with the character's everyman frustration. In television animation, Johnson provided the voice for Oxnard, the beleaguered meerkat accountant to Mr. Peanutbutter, appearing in three episodes of spanning 2015 to 2017: "" (season 2), "The Judge" (season 4), and "Surprise!" (season 5). The role showcased his ability to deliver dry, exasperated line readings in the series' blend of comedy and . Johnson also voiced Dave in the Cartoon Network series (2016, 1 episode: "The Island"). Johnson achieved widespread recognition for voicing Peter B. Parker, an older, world-weary iteration of Spider-Man, in the critically acclaimed animated feature (2018), which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. He reprised the role in the sequel (2023), further exploring the character's mentorship dynamic with amid multiversal adventures. These performances highlighted Johnson's knack for infusing reluctant heroism and sarcastic wit into the superhero archetype. He will voice Mr. McKeel in the animated film Wildwood (2025). Extending to video games, Johnson lent his voice to Lowery Cruthers, the control room technician from , in the action-adventure title (2016), integrating his animated persona into interactive gameplay.

Other media

Johnson began his creative career in playwriting, with his early work Cousins produced by the off-Broadway Ensemble Studio Theater in around 2000. This production marked one of his initial forays into theater writing during his post-collegiate years in New York before relocating to . While specific details on additional Los Angeles-based theater productions remain limited, Johnson's background in dramatic writing, honed at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, underscores his foundational contributions to stage narratives. In film, Johnson expanded into directing with his feature-length debut Self Reliance (2023), a comedy-thriller he also wrote and produced. The project premiered at and was released on , showcasing his ability to helm a meta-narrative involving reality TV and paranoia. Prior to this, Johnson co-wrote the screenplay for Win It All (2017), a Netflix comedy about a gambler in crisis, directed by frequent collaborator . He also served as a producer on the film, contributing to its intimate, improvisational style. Similarly, Johnson co-wrote and produced Ride the Eagle (2021), a dramedy exploring and redemption, directed by . Beyond , Johnson made a notable appearance in the music video for "Rouse Yourself" by JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound in 2013, portraying a character alongside in the indie-soul track's narrative clip. This collaboration highlighted his early connections within Chicago's music scene, tying into his Midwestern roots.

References

  1. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/543505-jake-johnson
  2. https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/jake-johnson-tatiana-maslany-maximum-pleasure-guranteed-1236466060/
  3. https://variety.com/2018/film/news/spider-man-into-the-spider-verse-jake-johnson-brian-tyree-henry-1203071359/
  4. https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/self-reliance-review-jake-johnson-1235550242/
  5. https://www.empireonline.com/people/jake-johnson/
  6. https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/counselors/2023/07/8-people-you-probably-didnt-know-attended-iowa/
  7. https://variety.com/2022/tv/reviews/minx-review-hbo-max-1235200054/
  8. https://variety.com/2025/film/news/apple-buys-jake-johnson-ben-stiller-pickleball-comedy-the-dink-1236491988/
  9. https://deadline.com/2025/08/dakota-fanning-jake-johnson-cory-michael-smith-joe-swanberg-movie-1236480046/
  10. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2159926/
  11. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2159926/bio/
  12. https://ethnicelebs.com/jake-johnson
  13. https://www.gq.com/story/a-couple-of-pops-with-jake-johnson-an-old-style-chicago-guy-actor-for-our-moment
  14. https://www.facebook.com/didyoucatchthis/posts/celebrating-jake-johnsons-47th-birthday-from-chicago-roots-to-hollywood-stardomt/675235895278717/
  15. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/new-girls-jake-johnson-loves-the-cubs-hates-singing-at-wrigley-56166/
  16. https://nypost.com/2012/04/08/new-girls-dude/
  17. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jake-johnson/
  18. https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Jake%2BJohnson/386210
  19. https://sloanwp.movingimage.org/person/jake-johnson/
  20. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/02/jake-johnson-new-girl-interview
  21. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni51912003/
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/27/movies/jake-johnson-self-reliance.html
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1441135/fullcredits/
  24. https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/jake-johnson/33571/
  25. https://tvatemywardrobe.com/2013/04/23/jake-johnson-talks-drunk-acting-and-the-new-girl-audition-process/
  26. https://www.dailyactor.com/film/jake-johnson-new-girl/
  27. https://www.televisionacademy.com/shows/new-girl
  28. https://ew.com/tv/new-girl-jake-johnson-nick-miller-cult/
  29. https://variety.com/2011/film/news/jake-johnson-joins-21-jump-street-1118035705/
  30. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/interview-drinking-buddies-star-jake-johnson-talks-rules-of-improv-working-with-joe-swanberg-frustrations-with-network-tv-94375/
  31. https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/jake-johnson-netflix-hoops-1202967182/
  32. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jake-johnson-lead-animated-netflix-comedy-series-hoops-phil-lord-chris-miller-1149040/
  33. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2023-07-21/jake-johnson-minx-season-2
  34. https://www.gq.com/story/jake-johnson-minx-hbo-max-interview
  35. https://uproxx.com/tv/jake-johnson-minx-hbo-max/
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3398228/characters/nm2159926
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37199854/
  38. https://www.buzzfeed.com/josephlongo/max-greenfield-jake-johnson-new-girl-reunion
  39. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/jake-johnson-interview-olivia-rodrigo-new-girl-residuals-taylor-swift-self-reliance-1234910551/
  40. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/win-all-986056/
  41. https://www.thewrap.com/jake-johnson-comedy-ride-the-eagle-acquired-by-new-distributor-decal/
  42. http://www.tagmaster.net/jake-johnson/
  43. https://scienceandfilm.org/people/134/jake-johnson
  44. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/jake-johnson-self-reliance-interview-directing-1235793377/
  45. https://www.wthr.com/article/entertainment/movies/new-girl-actor-jake-johnson-interview-self-reliance-director-writer-star-hulu/531-03da120d-5c95-4e12-9703-e2798cf15435
  46. https://people.com/tv/who-is-erin-payne-jake-johnson-wife/
  47. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a44175377/who-is-erin-payne-jake-johnsons-wife/
  48. https://www.glamour.com/story/new-girls-jake-johnson-talks-t
  49. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/jake-johnson-interview-minx-cancellation-rejecting-blockbuster-1235535638/
  50. https://www.gq.com/story/jake-johnson-is-just-here-for-a-good-time
  51. https://sports.yahoo.com/chicago-actor-jake-johnson-tells-224743880.html
  52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcL_Ghodtu8
  53. https://www.mlb.com/cut4/new-girl-star-jake-johnson-sang-at-wrigley-field/c-150842810
  54. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/superstitious-jake-johnson-has-classic-story-of-watching-cubs-win-game-7-of-world-series/
  55. https://www.tribute.ca/people/jake-johnson/33571/
  56. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2002666590013487/posts/3731723737107755/
  57. https://theplaylist.net/interview-drinking-buddies-star-jake-johnson-talks-rules-of-improv-working-with-joe-swanberg-frustrations-with-network-tv-20130827/
  58. https://www.vulture.com/2024/01/jake-johnson-on-his-sxsw-directorial-debut-self-reliance.html
  59. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323973/
  60. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1411238/
  61. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369610/
  62. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26084002/
  63. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33499146/
  64. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460655/fullcredits
  65. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2159926/fullcredits
  66. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3398228/fullcredits/
  67. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5886818/fullcredits
  68. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15353994/fullcredits
  69. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/543505-jake-johnson?language=en-US
  70. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jake-johnson/bio/3030576577/
  71. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/self_reliance
  72. https://collider.com/win-it-all-jake-johnson/
  73. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-07-28/review-jake-johnson-comedy-ride-the-eagle-never-takes-off
  74. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hupdAoeHDjI
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