Johnny Walker, 76; Indian Comedian Did Almost 300 Movies
Johnny Walker, 76, a popular Indian film comedian who appeared in nearly 300 movies, died of a kidney ailment at his Bombay home Tuesday, family members reported.
The late actor, a Muslim, changed his name to Johnny Walker from Badruddin Qazi when he began his career. Friends said he named himself after the popular Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker.
He was known for his superb sense of timing and refined comedy, which captured the essence of Indian lifestyle.
The son of a textile factory worker, Walker was born in Srinagar, Kashmir, India.
He worked as a bus conductor in Bombay, India’s film capital, to support a large family before trying his luck in Hindi-language movies.
Leading filmmaker Guru Dutt gave him his first big break in 1952. After that he acted in big hits such as “Jaal”’ (“Net”), “Mr & Mrs 55,” “Pyaasa” (“The Thirsty”) and “Kaagaz Ke Phool” (“Paper Flowers”).
Walker retired in 1988, but returned to play a cameo in Kamala Hassan’s “Chachi 420” in 1998.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
