Jay Johnston

Last updated

Jay Johnston
Born (1968-10-22) October 22, 1968 (age 56)
Alma mater Columbia College Chicago (BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1995–2022

Jay James Johnston (born October 22, 1968) is an American actor and comedian. He was a writer and cast member on Mr. Show with Bob and David and had roles on The Sarah Silverman Program , Moral Orel , Arrested Development , and Bob's Burgers .

Contents

Johnston participated in the United States Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, and was arrested and charged on June 7, 2023. Following the incident, Johnston was fired from his longtime role as Jimmy Pesto on Bob's Burgers; he has not appeared in any films or television shows since. He pleaded guilty on July 8, 2024, and was sentenced to one year and one day in prison on October 28, 2024.

Early life and education

Johnston was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He has a younger brother named Tim. [1] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in acting from Columbia College Chicago in 1993. [2]

Career

After graduating from college, Johnston later joined the Chicago Second City's touring comedy for a number of years and also performed in stage shows at the Annoyance Theater in Chicago. [3] [4]

From 1995 to 1998, Johnston worked as a sketch actor and writer on all four seasons of Mr. Show with Bob and David . [5] [6] After the conclusion of Mr. Show, Johnston had a recurring role on Arrested Development , as well as appearing in films such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Bicentennial Man. [5]

Johnston and fellow Mr. Show regulars Dino Stamatopoulos and Scott Adsit were part of the creative team behind Adult Swim's stop-motion animation series Moral Orel , which ran from 2005 to 2008. [5] [6] Johnston wrote and directed episodes of the series and voiced multiple characters in the first two seasons. [7]

Johnston starred on all three seasons of Comedy Central's The Sarah Silverman Program as "Officer Jay McPherson", the love interest of Sarah Silverman's sister Laura in the series. The series reunited Johnston with Mr. Show cast members Brian Posehn, Scott Aukerman, B. J. Porter, and Paul F. Tompkins. [6]

Johnston had a recurring voice role as Jimmy Pesto Sr. in the Fox animated series Bob's Burgers from 2011 [5] until his firing in 2021. [8] The role was later recast to Eric Bauza in 2023. [9]

Standing well over 6 feet tall, Johnston regularly played police and other law enforcement roles. [10]

United States Capitol attack

Photo released by the Justice Department and Washington Metro police showing Johnston at the riots. Jay Johnston Capitol-riot-actor-arrested.jpg
Photo released by the Justice Department and Washington Metro police showing Johnston at the riots.

In March 2021, a Twitter message by the FBI was seeking the identity of a man at the January 6 United States Capitol attack who bore a resemblance to Johnston and who was identified as Johnston by friends of the actor. In a December 21, 2021, article by The Daily Beast , two of Johnston's friends said he admitted to being at the Capitol on January 6. After the FBI tweet and the news of his alleged participation, Johnston's friends and colleagues from Mr. Show with Bob and David reached out to Johnston, but received no response. Johnston was fired from Bob's Burgers shortly after being identified. [11]

The FBI arrested Johnston on June 7, 2023, and charged him with felony obstruction of officers during civil disorder as well as several misdemeanor offenses. He was released after paying a $25,000 bond. [12] [13]

Johnston pleaded guilty to a single felony count of obstructing officers during a civil disorder on July 8, 2024. [14] [15] On October 28, 2024, Judge Carl Nichols characterized Johnston's conduct as "problematic" and "reprehensible", and sentenced him to one year and one day in prison, 40 hours of community service, and pay $2,000 in restitution. [1]

On January 20, 2025, Johnston's fiancé Sara Radovanovitch tweeted that Johnston was among those pardoned by Donald Trump when he entered office second term. [16]

Personal life

Johnston has a daughter, born circa 2011. As of 28 October 2024, he was engaged to Sara Radovanovitch. [1] [16]

Filmography

Film

Film work by Jay Johnston
YearTitleRoleNotes
1998 Jack Frost TV Weatherman
1999 Bicentennial Man Charles
2000 The Independent Soldier
2000 Desperate but Not Serious Mustachioed Cop
2001 Not Another Teen Movie Roadie
2001Hollywood PalmsYoung Cop
2002 Men in Black II Agent
2002 The Master of Disguise Rex
2003BrainwarpGuy SuaveDirect-to-video
2004 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Eyewitness News Member
2004 Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie
2005 Dirty Love Waiter
2006 Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny Gang Member
2007Project Clear Visions: The Anthrax ConspiracyMichael Patrick
2008The WaysideDad
2009Secret at Arrow LakeDr. William Hardin
2011 Demoted Kline
2015 Hell and Back Rick the Lost SoulVoice
2021Something About HerGeorge
2022Wing DadAllen MarcusLast role before his 2023 arrest

Television

Television work by Jay Johnston
YearTitleRoleNotes
1995 Ellen Transition GuyEpisode: "Hello, I Must Be Going"
1995–1998 Mr. Show with Bob and David Various characters28 episodes; also writer
1997 Just Shoot Me! ExterminatorEpisode: "Lemon Wacky Hello"
1997 Alright Already Overnight Parcel GuyEpisode: "Again with the Porno Video"
1999Ultimate Trek: Star Trek's Greatest Moments Spock Television film
2000 Tenacious D FBI AgentEpisode: "Road Gig"
2001 DAG ChainsawEpisode: "Prom"
2001 Two Guys and a Girl Cab DriverEpisode: "An Eye for a Finger"
2001 Spring Break Lawyer ReporterTelevision film
2001 Curb Your Enthusiasm JeremyEpisode: "Shaq"
2002 Malcolm in the Middle EdEpisode: "Reese Drives"
2002 Next! VariousPilot
2004Sweetwater TidesAbbott LewisonTelevision film
2004Last Laugh '04Pervert
2004–2013 Arrested Development Officer Taylor10 episodes
2005 Weekends at the D.L. Bill Combs / Darnell Dickerson2 episodes
2005–2008 Moral Orel Coach Stopframe / Various voices30 episodes; also writer and director
2006American MisfitsThe Boss3 episodes
2006 Lovespring International Carl Jason2 episodes
2006Last Laugh '06Officer 'Shuggatitz'Television film
2007 Human Giant Whale TrainerEpisode: "Let's Go"; also consultant writer
2007Bad DadDrunk Bad DadEpisode #1.2
2007Larry the Cable Guy's Christmas SpectacularMormon GuyTelevision film
2007–2010 The Sarah Silverman Program Officer Jay McPherson32 episodes
2009 Reno 911! FBI AgentEpisode: "Viacom Grinch"
2009 Parks and Recreation RangerEpisode: "Hunting Trip"
2010 Community Police Officer #2Episode: "The Science of Illusion"
2010–2012 Mary Shelley's Frankenhole The Wolfman / Various voices11 episodes
2011 Jon Benjamin Has a Van Greg DevlinEpisode: "Little Little Italy"
2011 Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Various roles5 episodes
2011Guy Suave: Homicidal SpyGuy SuaveTelevision film
2011–2021 Bob's Burgers Jimmy Pesto / Foodie (voice)43 episodes
2012 Anger Management RodneyEpisode: "Charlie Tries to Prove Therapy Is Legit"
2012 NTSF:SD:SUV:: The LettererEpisode: "Wasilla Hills Cop"
2013 Childrens Hospital Capt. Beach-HouseEpisode: "Imaginary Friends"
2013 High School USA! Officer Dumphy (voice)5 episodes
2013–2019 Mr. Pickles Mr. Goodman / various voices30 episodes
2014 Comedy Bang! Bang! RepairmanEpisode: "Ellie Kemper Wears a Purple Ruffled Sleeveless Top & Lavender Flats"
2015 Rick and Morty Coldstone Creamery Employee (voice)Episode: "A Rickle in Time"
2015 W/ Bob & David Various roles4 episodes; also writer
2016 Modern Family CarlEpisode: "Crazy Train"
2016 Hidden America with Jonah Ray JohnEpisode: "Los Angeles: All That Glitters Is Not Gold"
2016–2017 Love Pastor Lewis4 episodes
2017 Animals Ad Man 4Episode: "Humans"
2018 Take My Wife GuyEpisode #2.3
2018The 5th QuarterJames NaismithEpisode: "Hashbrowns & Potaters"
2019 Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History Various rolesTelevision film
2019Dope StatePaul Standinghpin
2019–2021 Momma Named Me Sheriff Mr. Goodman / Buff Swede (voice)18 episodes
2020 Better Call Saul Don WachtellEpisode: "Wexler v. Goodman"

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Lee, Ella (October 28, 2024). "'Bob's Burgers' actor sentenced to 1 year in prison for Jan. 6 role". The Hill .
  2. "Famous Columbia College Chicago Alumni". Ranker.com. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  3. Ben Kharakh's Interview with Jay Johnston (Part 1) November 14, 2007
  4. Ben Kharakh's Interview with Jay Johnston (Part 2) November 14, 2007
  5. 1 2 3 4 Harris, Will (November 3, 2015). "The 'W/ Bob and David' Cast Tells Us Their Favorite Post-'Mr. Show' Roles". Thrillist.com . Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 Evans, Bradford (June 20, 2014). "Diving Deep Into the Legendary 'Mr. Show' Season 3 Writing Staff". Vulture.com. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  7. "Moral Orel". TV Guide . Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  8. Haskoor, Michael (December 19, 2021). "'Bob's Burgers' Actor Jay Johnston Will No Longer Voice 'Jimmy Pesto' After Participating In Capitol Riot". Decider.com . Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  9. London, Rob (November 6, 2023). "'Bob's Burgers' Finds Replacement for Disgraced Jimmy Pesto Voice Actor". Collider. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  10. Chappell, Bill (July 9, 2024). "Actor Jay Johnston of 'Bob's Burgers' and other comedies pleads guilty in Jan. 6 case". NPR . Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  11. Suebsaeng, Asawin; Stern, Marlow; Rawnsley, Adam (December 17, 2021). "Actor Jay Johnston Banned From 'Bob's Burgers' Over Capitol Riot". The Daily Beast .
  12. Riley, Ryan J. (June 7, 2023). "DOJ charges 'Bob's Burgers,' 'Arrested Development' actor in Jan. 6 Capitol riot". NBC News .
  13. Kunzelman, Michael (June 7, 2023). "Actor Jay Johnston, known for 'Bob's Burgers' character, arrested on Capitol riot charges". Associated Press News . Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  14. Riley, Ryan J. (July 8, 2024). "Comedian from 'Anchorman' and 'Mr. Show' pleads guilty in Jan. 6 Capitol attack". NBC News . Retrieved July 8, 2024 via Yahoo! News.
  15. Mayorquín, Orlando (June 26, 2024). "Former 'Bob's Burgers' Actor to Plead Guilty in Jan. 6 Case" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  16. 1 2 Radovanovitch, Sara [@the_cats_meowww] (January 20, 2025). "My fiancé Jay Johnston was just pardoned!" (Tweet) via Twitter.