He is known as one of the most versatile talents the industry has. However, despite being a renowned actor, he had to suffer in his personal life.
Published: August 2, 2025 10:16 PM IST
Bollywood has different types of actors. While some are called character actors, others are known for their massy action roles. However, there are some celebs who fall into the category of comedians. Today, we will discuss one of the most celebrated comedy actors in Bollywood. He is known as one of the most versatile talents the industry has. However, despite being a renowned actor, he had to suffer in his personal life. But he overcame everything and is now the owner of Rs 277 crore.
This Actor Used to Roam the Streets Drunk
He is one of those actors who once attempted suicide due to his circumstances. If you are wondering who we are talking about, then this actor is none other than Johnny Lever.
In 1981, Johnny Lever made his debut in the film Yeh Rishta Na Toote but initially struggled to find significant roles. However, in the coming years, Johnny Lever proved his mettle in the industry and began climbing the ladder of success.
While speaking candidly with his daughter Jamie Lever on comedian Sapan Verma’s YouTube show, Johnny recalled his hectic schedule and how his tremendous success started taking a toll on his health and lifestyle.
He said, “I used to be very tired. I used to shoot films during the day and perform in shows at night. Apart from this, I used to drink a lot of alcohol. This would make me completely exhausted. I used to sit backstage as if I was in Shavasana.”
During that time, Johnny realized his addiction to alcohol was growing day by day, becoming a concern for him and his family. There were even days when he used to roam the streets until 4 a.m., completely drunk.
Police Used to Drive Johnny Home
In the same interview, Johnny said, “The police would come many times, but when they recognized me, they would laugh and say, ‘Hey, Johnny bhai,’ and let me sit in their car so that I could drink comfortably.”
In the same show, he admitted, “Success can really mess with your head. There was a time when no film was made without me. I was doing international shows, traveling constantly, and completely lost in it all. But eventually, I made a decision — I quit drinking. It’s been 24 years now, and I haven’t touched alcohol since.”
After fighting the odds, Johnny turned his life around through talent and determination, and today he has a net worth of Rs 277 crore.