# Nicole Randall Johnson
**Nicole Randall Johnson** (born 1973) is an American actress, writer, and producer best known for her work on the sketch comedy series MADtv, where she was a series regular and writer during the show's 11th and 12th seasons.[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) • [2](https://tv.apple.com/ca/person/nicole-randall-johnson/umc.cpc.4a0ilsfjldnnxx6ta3vert628)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1973, Los Angeles, California; raised in Portland, Oregon and Phoenix, Arizona[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) |
| Training | B.F.A. Acting/Directing program at the University of Arizona in Tucson; 3 years of sketch and improvisation training at the Groundlings School & Theatre[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) |
| MADtv | Series regular and writer during the 11th and 12th seasons; 37 episodes, 2005–2007[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) • [3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112056/fullcredits/) |
| Signature characters | Recurring MADtv characters "Ka-son" and "Da-rell", whose combined sketches have received more than 35 million hits on YouTube[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) |
| Film starring debut | Role Models (2008), opposite Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, directed by David Wain for Universal Pictures[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) |
| Other notable work | Significant Others (2004); Key & Peele (2012–2013, 2 episodes); Murder Mystery (2019); American Skin (2019)[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981558/fullcredits/cast) • [5](https://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/nicole-randall-johnson/2BXkkUMi8iU7UFXMclfo26/filmography/) |
## Early life and training
Johnson was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in [Portland, Oregon](https://www.edgepedia.org/portland-oregon), and [Phoenix, Arizona](https://www.edgepedia.org/phoenix-arizona). She trained in the B.F.A. Acting/Directing program at the [University of Arizona](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-arizona) in Tucson.[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) After moving to Los Angeles, she spent three years in sketch and improvisation training at the Groundlings School & Theatre and became a performer and writer for the Groundlings Sunday Company.[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/)
## MADtv
After a year of performing at the Groundlings, Johnson became a series regular on the NBC/Brivo half-hour comedy *Significant Others* (2004). When that series ended, she joined FOX's *MADtv* as a series regular and writer during its 11th and 12th seasons.[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) Credit databases list her on the show for 37 episodes between 2005 and 2007.[3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112056/fullcredits/)
Her recurring characters included Ka-son and Da-rell, the center of several MADtv sketches that, combined, have received more than 35 million hits on YouTube.[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) Her celebrity impersonations on the show included [Condoleezza Rice](https://www.edgepedia.org/condoleezza-rice), Oprah Winfrey, Eddie Murphy, Queen Latifah, Chris Rock, Beyoncé, Randy Jackson, Tyra Banks, Chandra Wilson, Star Jones, Mo'Nique, and [Isabel Sanford](https://www.edgepedia.org/isabel-sanford).[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) Vanity Fair, looking back at the show during its 2016 revival, highlighted her "Can I Have Your Number?" sketch as an example of old-school viral comedy.[6](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/07/madtv-breakout-stars)
## Film and television roles
Johnson has had supporting roles in several films and has been directed by [Todd Phillips](https://www.edgepedia.org/todd-phillips), Judd Apatow, Michael Bay, Curtis Hanson, Ken Kwapis, and [Bob Odenkirk](https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-odenkirk).[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) In November 2008 she made her feature film starring debut opposite [Paul Rudd](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-rudd) and Seann William Scott in the David Wain-directed comedy *Role Models* (2008) for Universal Pictures, playing Karen Shields.[1](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/) • [5](https://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/nicole-randall-johnson/2BXkkUMi8iU7UFXMclfo26/filmography/) Her other film credits include *In Her Shoes* (2005), *The 40 Year-Old Virgin* (2005), *School for Scoundrels* (2006), *Jimmy and Judy* (2006), *The Brothers Solomon* (2007), *License to Wed* (2007), *Murder Mystery* (2019), and *American Skin* (2019).[5](https://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/nicole-randall-johnson/2BXkkUMi8iU7UFXMclfo26/filmography/)
On television she has appeared in a wide range of series, including *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, *Reno 911!*, *Monk*, *Hannah Montana*, *Weeds*, *Hot in Cleveland*, *Prime Suspect*, *The Crazy Ones*, and *Single Parents*.[2](https://tv.apple.com/ca/person/nicole-randall-johnson/umc.cpc.4a0ilsfjldnnxx6ta3vert628) • [7](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/nicole-randall-johnson/credits/3000033935/) She appeared in two episodes of *Key & Peele* (2012–2013) as the Rap Video Mom and Katendra, joining other former MADtv cast members who guested on that show.[4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981558/fullcredits/cast) • [8](https://wikibin.org/articles/history-of-madtv-200509.html)
## Commercial work
Johnson has also worked extensively in television commercials. She appeared in the passenger seat opposite Katie Crown in DriveTime's "Nope Yup" commercial, a 2016 spot from agency Duncan Channon built on a repeated "nope"/"yup" response pattern set to the rhythm of E-40's track "Choices". The two performers appeared together in multiple DriveTime spots, and her sketch-comedy background is credited with giving the ad the feel of a small comedy scene rather than a standard product read.[9](https://www.tvadvertsongs.com/nicole-randall-johnson)
## Distinguishing her from other performers
Another comedian, [Anjelah Johnson](https://www.edgepedia.org/anjelah-johnson), also appeared on MADtv; the two are different performers, and using the full name "Nicole Randall Johnson" helps keep credits straight.[9](https://www.tvadvertsongs.com/nicole-randall-johnson)
## References
1. [Nicole Randall Johnson, IMDb](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1531996/)
2. [Nicole Randall Johnson Movies and Shows, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/ca/person/nicole-randall-johnson/umc.cpc.4a0ilsfjldnnxx6ta3vert628)
3. [Mad TV (TV Series 1995–2016) Full cast & crew, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112056/fullcredits/)
4. [Key and Peele (TV Series 2012–2015) Full cast & crew, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981558/fullcredits/cast)
5. [Nicole Randall Johnson Movie Filmography, Moviefone](https://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/nicole-randall-johnson/2BXkkUMi8iU7UFXMclfo26/filmography/)
6. [7 Breakout Stars Who Got Their Start on MadTV, Vanity Fair (2016)](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/07/madtv-breakout-stars)
7. [Nicole Randall Johnson List of Movies and TV Shows, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/nicole-randall-johnson/credits/3000033935/)
8. [History of MADtv (2005–09), Wikibin](https://wikibin.org/articles/history-of-madtv-200509.html)
9. [Who Is Nicole Randall Johnson in DriveTime's "Nope Yup" Ad?, TV Commercial Songs](https://www.tvadvertsongs.com/nicole-randall-johnson)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 1970s to 1990s › Surnames I to Kh*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 19, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license