Veteran comedian Johny Lever has entertained audiences for decades, but his family once went through a deeply challenging phase when his son Jesse Lever was diagnosed with a tumour in his neck at a young age. In a recent conversation, his daughter Jamie Lever opened up about the difficult period and how faith helped the family cope.Speaking to Vickey Lalwani, Jamie recalled that Jesse was still in school when the family first realised something was wrong.
‘He had a tumour when he was in school’
Recalling the early signs, Jamie said, “He had a tumour when he was in school. At first, we didn’t understand what it was, but then it became uncontrollable. It started making him uncomfortable. He even changed the way he dressed to hide the tumour.”She added that as an elder sister she felt extremely protective of him. “As a sister, I felt like I needed to protect him. We were in the same school, and I was always very protective about him.”Jamie said the diagnosis soon led to the possibility of a complicated surgery that changed the family’s life.“We had to go into surgery, and it was very difficult and complicated. During that phase, our life changed completely. We were always a God-fearing family, but after this incident, things became very spiritual and real for us.”
‘Money and fame will fade away’
The experience also made the family reflect on what truly matters, Jamie shared.“It suddenly taught us that money and fame will fade away. What truly matters is family, faith, and being there for each other. During that time, we came together as a family, prayed a lot, and completely surrendered our lives to God.”Watching her parents go through the crisis was particularly painful for her.“I saw my parents go through a very tough time caring for their son. Jesse was a very pampered child. To see him go through surgery and recovery was heartbreaking. But today, we are very proud of the person he has become. He is extremely strong. If you see him today, you would never guess that he went through something like that.”
‘The first surgery in Mumbai failed’
Jamie also revealed that Jesse underwent two surgeries during the treatment process.“We had one surgery in Mumbai which failed. Then we had another surgery in America, which was a very long one. So he went through two surgeries. It was a two-year process.”During that time, the family turned deeply to prayer.“When the first surgery failed, we started praying a lot. As a family, we would constantly pray. People would come to our house and pray with us. When my parents took Jesse to America for the second surgery, we stayed in India and prayed 24/7.”
‘My dad went down on his knees and prayed’
Jamie also recalled an emotional moment involving her father.“My dad went down on his knees and asked God if he should let his son go through the second surgery. At that moment, he felt as if he heard God’s voice telling him, ‘Go for it.’”Interestingly, the trip to the United States was not initially planned for treatment.“We had gone to the US for a summer holiday. My parents were just trying to fulfil every wish Jesse had because he was unwell.”According to Jamie, a chance encounter in a church led them to the hospital where Jesse eventually underwent surgery.“We were in a church when a priest noticed him and asked what had happened. When we told him about the tumour, he gave us the name of a hospital and said, ‘God is going to heal him.’ It felt like a sign from God, so we immediately followed up. The surgery happened there, and he came out fine.”
‘We would never return to that lifestyle’
Jamie said the experience changed the family’s perspective on fame and life.“After that, we decided we would never return to the lifestyle where fame got into our heads. My dad had gone through a phase where he became an alcoholic and was away from home a lot. It was a traumatic time for us. But that phase ultimately brought us closer as a family. Today, fame and money don’t affect us the way they once did.”She added that the siblings now remain connected to their faith through music at church.“Now we go to church every Sunday. Whenever I’m not shooting or performing, I sing in church. My brother plays the drums, and I sing. We absolutely love doing it.”
