Johnny Walker was named by Guru Dutt after a popular whiskey brand, even though he never drank alcohol. Who used to entertain people as a bus driver before becoming a great actor and comedian. Today, we’re going to talk about Johnny Walker.
Today marks the 19th anniversary of Johnnie Walker’s death. Johnnie Walker was widely regarded as the best comedian of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. For four decades, he ruled the film industry. Johnny used to work as a bus driver at one point.
Later, he established himself as the best comedian. In his career, he has appeared in approximately 300 films. Johnny was the first to have a personal manager and begin taking Sundays off. There was a time when the distributors would pay the filmmakers more money to keep Johnny’s songs in the film.
The film’s producers used to have the writers write the role of Johnny separately. Johnny was the first actor to begin speaking the language of taxi drivers in the cinema. So, on this great actor’s birth anniversary, let us look at some extraordinary stories about his life.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi |
| Screen Name | Johnny Walker |
| Date of Birth | March 23, 1924 (disputed; some sources cite November 11, 1926) |
| Place of Birth | Indore, British India (now Madhya Pradesh, India) |
| Date of Death | July 29, 2003 |
| Place of Death | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Cause of Death | Prolonged illness (unspecified; possibly cardiac-related, per family statements) |
| Age at Death | 79 years (based on 1924 birth year) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Ethnicity | Indian Muslim (Pathan ancestry, per some accounts) |
| Family | Father: Jamaluddin Kazi (weaving teacher); Mother: Unknown; 11 siblings (third of 12 children) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Noorjahan (Noor) Kazi (married 1955; sister of actress Shakila) |
| Children | 6 (3 sons, 3 daughters): Nasirr Khan (actor), Nazneen, Firdaus, Tasneem, Kausar, Naushad |
| Education | Dropped out in 6th standard (self-educated thereafter) |
| Height | Approximately 5’6″ (1.68 m, per Onewiki estimate) |
| Profession | Actor, Comedian, Producer, Director |
| Debut Film (Acting) | Baazi (1951, directed by Guru Dutt) |
| Breakthrough Role | Baazi (1951, as a drunkard, named Johnny Walker by Guru Dutt after the whisky brand) |
| Total Films (Acting) | Around 300 (Hindi, some Malayalam; exact count varies by source) |
| Total Films (Directed) | 1 (Pahunche Huwey Log, 1985, also produced) |
| Notable Films | Baazi (1951), Taxi Driver (1954), C.I.D. (1956), Pyaasa (1957), Madhumati (1958), Chori Chori (1956), Naya Daur (1957), Chachi 420 (1997) |
| Notable Roles | Abdul Sattar (Pyaasa), Master (C.I.D.), Reporter (Naya Daur), Joseph (Chachi 420) |
| Awards | Filmfare Best Supporting Actor (Madhumati, 1958); Filmfare Best Comedian (Shikar, 1968) |
| Early Career | Bombay Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) bus conductor; entertained passengers with comedy |
| Discovery | Spotted by Balraj Sahni; introduced to Guru Dutt, who cast him in Baazi |
| Languages | Comedy improvisation, family time, teetotaller despite drunkard roles |
| Last Film | Chachi 420 (1997, directed by Kamal Haasan, after a 14-year hiatus) |
| Business Venture | Fluent in Hindi Urdu; used colloquialisms in films |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | $1.5M–$10M at death (speculative, per Onewiki; no official figures) |
| Residence | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (moved from Indore as a child) |
| Hobbies | Bombay Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) bus conductor entertained passengers with comedy |
| Personal Traits | Teetotaller (never drank alcohol), religious, humble; sent sons to USA for education |
| Legacy | Dealt in precious and semi-precious stones during the acting break (1980s–1990s) |
Johnny Walker’s Early life and career
On November 11, 1926, Johnnie Walker was born. He was the second of ten children. His childhood passed like any other until his father lost his job one day. A mountain of problems fell on his family in such a situation. His family relocated to Mumbai because he had such a large family and no means of support. His father’s identity led to his job as a bus conductor after moving to Mumbai.
This job used to pay Johnny 26 rupees per month. He has always been cheerful, so he would do this work enthusiastically. His comic timing was also superb. He was also very good at impersonating actors. In such a situation, his style of calling the passengers was so good that everyone was pleased with him. With his acting, he used to win people’s hearts. Johnny also believed that a film director could sometimes impress him and cost him a role.
Johnny had carved out a niche for himself by visiting film studios; as a result, he was given minor roles in various films. Meanwhile, he met actor Balraj Sahni one day. Balraj was impressed by Johnny’s ability to laugh and advised him to meet Guru Dutt.
When Balraj introduced Johnny to Guru Dutt, he found him to be an alcoholic. As a result, Guru Dutt was furious that someone had met him in this manner after drinking alcohol. When Johnny told Guru Dutt that he didn’t drink alcohol and that he was an actor, Guru Dutt was overjoyed and hugged Johnny at the same time.
Before meeting Guru Dutt, Johnny Walker’s name was Badruddin Jamaluddin Qazi, and people knew him by that name. However, when Johnny met Guru Dutt, his drunken acting impressed Guru Dutt. Guru Dutt named him “Johnny Walker” after his favourite whiskey brand. Johnny also took it to heart, keeping his screen name the same.
Guru Dutt was well-versed in Johnny’s art of laughter. During this time, he was also filming for the film Baazi. This was Guru Dutt’s first film, and Dev Anand was also making his debut, but no scene was written for Johnny in this film. In such a case, Guru Dutt created a separate scene for Johnny Walker, and as a result, Johnny was cast in the movie Baazi. This was not Johnny’s first film, but it was the one that gave him more screen time. In this film, Johnny proves himself. His comedic scenes in the film were widely praised. Then, Johnny began to appear in almost every Guru Dutt film.
Johnny has played the role of an alcoholic in several films, but he used to claim that he never drank or even considered drinking. His acting was flawless. He never appeared in any obscene scenes on film. He claims that the censor board has never removed a scene from his movies.
Johnny Walker has appeared in almost every Guru Dutt film since Baazi. Johnny films were considered a sure thing by the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. His acting scenes sometimes overshadowed the lead actor on screen. Naya Daur, Taxi Driver, Madhumati, and Mr and Mrs 55 are among his best films.
Johnnie Walker may have previously worked as a comedian for whom songs were filmed. Mohammad Rafi, the legendary singer, sang the most songs for Johnny Walker. The film’s distributors had a special request to include Johnny’s songs and were willing to pay more.
There are no vacations in the film industry. In such circumstances, Johnny Walker was the first supporting actor in the film industry to begin taking Sunday off. Johnny had no shortage of work at the time; he had to shoot for the film every day. Meanwhile, he decided to spend Sundays with his family and began taking Sundays off. In addition, Johnny was the first actor to use taxi driver jargon in a film.
Johnny was the first actor in the industry to have a film named after him, which came out in 1957. He also produced and directed the 1957 film Pachehe Log.
Marriage and later years
He married Noorjahan, sister of actress Shakila, in 1955, despite familial opposition. Their love story began on the set of Aar Paar (1954), blossoming into a strong partnership that produced three daughters and three sons, including actor Nasirr Khan. A devoted family man, Johnny, who regretted leaving school early, ensured his sons received education in the USA, reflecting his commitment to their future.
In his later years, Johnny grew disillusioned with the film industry as comedy shifted toward vulgarity, a stark contrast to the clean humor he championed in classics like Pyaasa (1957) and Madhumati (1958). He lamented the diminished role of comedians, who were once integral to storytelling but became mere fillers. By the 1980s, his screen presence dwindled, partly due to the 1964 death of mentor Guru Dutt, which deeply affected his career. Unwilling to compromise his values, he stepped away from acting, focusing instead on a thriving business trading precious and semi-precious stones. This venture provided financial stability and allowed him to enjoy a quiet life with his family.
Johnny made a brief return to cinema in 1997 with Chachi 420, a role he accepted reluctantly after a 14-year hiatus. A devout Muslim and teetotaler, he maintained his integrity, never touching alcohol despite his iconic drunkard roles. He passed away on July 29, 2003, leaving a legacy of over 300 films and a reputation for humor that never crossed into crudeness. His life exemplified resilience, family devotion, and an unwavering commitment to his principles.
Death
Johnny Walker’s performance in the 1959 film Madhumati earned him his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. Following this, he received the Filmfare Award for Best Comic Actor for the film ‘Shikar.’ Johnny Walker, who made audiences laugh with his acting and various roles, passed away on July 29, 2003. His last screen appearance was in Chahchi 420, however Johnny is still alive in the hearts of audiences today thanks to his comedic roles.
Below is the table of Johnny Walker’s movies:
| Year | Movie Title | Character Played | Director | Producer | Lead Opposite Actor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Aakhri Paigham | Minor Role | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 1951 | Baazi | Drunkard | Guru Dutt | Navketan Films (Dev Anand) | Dev Anand |
| 1952 | Jaal | Fisherman | Guru Dutt | Navketan Films | Dev Anand |
| 1953 | Aas | Supporting Role | Devendra Goel | Vinod Desai | Kamini Kaushal |
| 1953 | Thokar | Supporting Role | Lekhraj Bhakri | Kuldip Pictures | Shammi Kapoor |
| 1954 | Aar Paar | Rustom | Guru Dutt | Guru Dutt | Shyama |
| 1954 | Taxi Driver | Mastana | Chetan Anand | Navketan Films | Dev Anand |
| 1955 | Mr. & Mrs. ’55 | Johny | Guru Dutt | Guru Dutt | Madhubala |
| 1955 | Devdas | Supporting Role | Bimal Roy | Bimal Roy | Dilip Kumar |
| 1955 | Railway Platform | Station Vendor | Ramesh Saigal | Roop K. Shorey | Sunil Dutt |
| 1956 | C.I.D. | Master | Raj Khosla | Guru Dutt | Dev Anand |
| 1956 | Chori Chori | Shayar | Anant Thakur | L.B. Lachman (AVM) | Raj Kapoor |
| 1956 | Choo Mantar | Baiju | M. Sadiq | S. Bannerjee | Shyama |
| 1957 | Pyaasa | Abdul Sattar (Masseur) | Guru Dutt | Guru Dutt | Mala Sinha |
| 1957 | Naya Daur | Journalist | B.R. Chopra | B.R. Chopra | Dilip Kumar |
| 1957 | Johnny Walker | Murli Manohar | Ved-Madan | P.N. Arora | Shyama |
| 1957 | Ek Saal | Supporting Role | Devendra Goel | Goel Cine Corporation | Ashok Kumar |
| 1958 | Madhumati | Charandas | Bimal Roy | Bimal Roy | Dilip Kumar |
| 1958 | Aji Bas Shukriya | Chandu | Mohammed Hussain | Noor | Suresh |
| 1959 | Kaagaz Ke Phool | Rocky | Guru Dutt | Guru Dutt | Waheeda Rehman |
| 1959 | Pehli Raat | Supporting Role | P.L. Santoshi | Santoshi Productions | Rehman |
| 1960 | Mughal-e-Azam | Courtier | K. Asif | K. Asif | Dilip Kumar |
| 1960 | Chaudhvin Ka Chand | Mirza Mashooq | M. Sadiq | Guru Dutt | Guru Dutt |
| 1960 | Ek Phool Char Kaante | Supporting Role | Bhappi Sonie | Bimal Roy | Sunil Dutt |
| 1961 | Chhote Nawab | Captain | S.A. Akbar | Mehmood | Mehmood |
| 1963 | Mere Mehboob | Bindadin | Harnam Singh Rawail | Harnam Singh Rawail | Rajendra Kumar |
| 1963 | Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya | Supporting Role | Niranjan | Niranjan | Vijay Kumar |
| 1964 | Door Ki Awaz | Motilal | Devendra Goel | Devendra Goel | Joy Mukherjee |
| 1966 | Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi | Jokhu | Shaheed Latif | Guru Dutt | Dharmendra |
| 1966 | Dil Diya Dard Liya | Murlidhar | Abdul Rashid Kardar | Kamal Amrohi | Dilip Kumar |
| 1967 | Night in London | Walter | Brij | Brij Sadanah | Biswajeet |
| 1968 | Shikar | Prakash | Atma Ram | Atma Ram | Dharmendra |
| 1968 | Mere Huzoor | Ghafoor | Vinod Kumar | Malik Chand Kochar | Jeetendra |
| 1969 | Aadmi Aur Insaan | Gulam Rasool | Yash Chopra | B.R. Chopra | Dharmendra |
| 1970 | Gopi | Ramu | A. Bhimsingh | T.S. Muthuswamy | Dilip Kumar |
| 1971 | Anand | Issabhai Suratwala | Hrishikesh Mukherjee | Hrishikesh Mukherjee | Rajesh Khanna |
| 1971 | Hungama | Naseebchand | S.M. Abbas | N.N. Sippy | Kishore Kumar |
| 1974 | Madhosh | Supporting Role | Desh Gautam | Tahir Bhai | Rakesh Roshan |
| 1975 | Pratiggya | Bhiku | Dulal Guha | Bikramjeet Bhullar | Dharmendra |
| 1977 | Tyaag | Supporting Role | Din Dayal Sharma | Din Dayal Sharma | Rajesh Khanna |
| 1980 | Shaan | Renu’s Driver | Ramesh Sippy | G.P. Sippy | Amitabh Bachchan |
| 1983 | Mazdoor | Govind | Ravi Chopra | B.R. Chopra | Dilip Kumar |
| 1985 | Pahunche Huey Log | Aladdin (also Producer) | Johnny Walker | Johnny Walker | Bharti Achrekar |
| 1987 | Mera Karam Mera Dharam | Supporting Role | Dulal Guha | Premji | Dharmendra |
| 1997 | Chachi 420 | Joseph | Kamal Haasan | Kamal Haasan | Kamal Haasan |