Jay Johnston
American actor and comedian (born 1968)
title: "Jay Johnston" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1968-births", "20th-century-american-comedians", "20th-century-american-male-actors", "21st-century-american-comedians", "21st-century-american-male-actors", "american-male-comedians", "american-male-criminals", "american-male-film-actors", "american-male-television-actors", "american-male-television-writers", "american-male-voice-actors", "american-television-directors", "american-television-writers", "american-sketch-comedians", "columbia-college-chicago-alumni", "comedians-from-chicago", "criminals-from-chicago", "living-people", "male-actors-from-chicago", "convicted-participants-in-the-january-6-united-states-capitol-attack", "people-pardoned-by-donald-trump", "television-producers-from-illinois", "writers-from-chicago"] description: "American actor and comedian (born 1968)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Johnston" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary American actor and comedian (born 1968) ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Jay Johnston |
| image | |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| alma_mater | Columbia College Chicago (BA) |
| occupation | |
| years_active | 1995–2022 |
| :: |
| name = Jay Johnston | image = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | alma_mater = Columbia College Chicago (BA) | occupation = | years_active = 1995–2022 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, Bob's Burgers, and Mr. Pickles, as well as the lattermost's spin-off Momma Named Me Sheriff.
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, but was pardoned by Donald Trump in January 2025.
Early life and education
Johnston was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He has a younger brother named Tim. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in acting from Columbia College Chicago in 1993.
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.
From 1995 to 1998, Johnston worked as a sketch actor and writer on all four seasons of Mr. Show with Bob and David. 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.
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. Johnston wrote and directed episodes of the series and voiced multiple characters in the first two seasons.
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.
Johnston had a recurring voice role as Jimmy Pesto Sr. in the Fox animated series Bob's Burgers from 2011 until his firing in 2021. The role was later recast to Eric Bauza in 2023.
Standing well over 6 feet tall, Johnston regularly played police and other law enforcement roles. Since his arrest, he has been a handyman.
United States Capitol attack
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Jay_Johnston_Capitol-riot-actor-arrested.jpg" caption="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.
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.
Johnston pleaded guilty to a single felony count of obstructing officers during a civil disorder on July 8, 2024. 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.
In January 2025, Johnston was among those pardoned by Donald Trump when he entered office for his second term.
Personal life
Johnston has a daughter, born in 2011 or 2012. , he was engaged to Sara Radovanovitch.
Filmography
Film
::data[format=table title="Film work by Jay Johnston"]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Jack Frost | Bicentennial Man | The Independent | Desperate but Not Serious | Not Another Teen Movie | Hollywood Palms | Men in Black II | The Master of Disguise | Brainwarp | Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy | Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie | Dirty Love | Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny | Project Clear Visions: The Anthrax Conspiracy | The Wayside | Secret at Arrow Lake | Demoted | Hell and Back | Something About Her | Wing Dad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | TV Weatherman | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | Charles | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Soldier | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Mustachioed Cop | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Roadie | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Young Cop | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Agent | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Rex | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Guy Suave | Direct-to-video | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Eyewitness News Member | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Waiter | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Gang Member | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Michael Patrick | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Dad | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Dr. William Hardin | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Kline | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Rick the Lost Soul | Voice | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | George | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Allen Marcus | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| :: |
Television
::data[format=table title="Television work by Jay Johnston"]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ellen | Mr. Show with Bob and David | Just Shoot Me! | Alright Already | Ultimate Trek: Star Trek's Greatest Moments | Tenacious D | DAG | Two Guys and a Girl | Spring Break Lawyer | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Malcolm in the Middle | Next! | Sweetwater Tides | Last Laugh '04 | Arrested Development | Weekends at the D.L. | Moral Orel | American Misfits | Lovespring International | Last Laugh '06 | Human Giant | Bad Dad | Larry the Cable Guy's Christmas Spectacular | The Sarah Silverman Program | Reno 911! | Parks and Recreation | Community | Mary Shelley's Frankenhole | Jon Benjamin Has a Van | Nick Swardson's Pretend Time | Guy Suave: Homicidal Spy | Bob's Burgers | Anger Management | NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Childrens Hospital | High School USA! | Mr. Pickles | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Rick and Morty | W/ Bob & David | Modern Family | Hidden America with Jonah Ray | Love | Animals | Take My Wife | The 5th Quarter | Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History | Dope State | Momma Named Me Sheriff | Better Call Saul |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Transition Guy | Episode: "Hello, I Must Be Going" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995–1998 | Various characters | 28 episodes; also writer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997 | Exterminator | Episode: "Lemon Wacky Hello" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997 | Overnight Parcel Guy | Episode: "Again with the Porno Video" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | Spock | Television film | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | FBI Agent | Episode: "Road Gig" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Chainsaw | Episode: "Prom" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Cab Driver | Episode: "An Eye for a Finger" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Reporter | Television film | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Jeremy | Episode: "Shaq" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Ed | Episode: "Reese Drives" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Various | Pilot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Abbott Lewison | Television film | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Pervert | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2013 | Officer Taylor | 10 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Bill Combs / Darnell Dickerson | 2 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2008 | Coach Stopframe / Various voices | 30 episodes; also writer and director | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | The Boss | 3 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Carl Jason | 2 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Officer 'Shuggatitz' | Television film | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Whale Trainer | Episode: "Let's Go"; also consultant writer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Drunk Bad Dad | Episode #1.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Mormon Guy | Television film | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2010 | Officer Jay McPherson | 32 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | FBI Agent | Episode: "Viacom Grinch" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Ranger | Episode: "Hunting Trip" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | Police Officer #2 | Episode: "The Science of Illusion" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2012 | The Wolfman / Various voices | 11 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Greg Devlin | Episode: "Little Little Italy" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Various roles | 5 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Guy Suave | Television film | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2021 | Jimmy Pesto / Foodie (voice) | 43 episodes; replaced by Eric Bauza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Rodney | Episode: "Charlie Tries to Prove Therapy Is Legit" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | The Letterer | Episode: "Wasilla Hills Cop" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Capt. Beach-House | Episode: "Imaginary Friends" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Officer Dumphy (voice) | 5 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2019 | Mr. Goodman / various voices | 30 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | Repairman | Episode: "Ellie Kemper Wears a Purple Ruffled Sleeveless Top & Lavender Flats" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Coldstone Creamery Employee (voice) | Episode: "A Rickle in Time" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Various roles | 4 episodes; also writer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Carl | Episode: "Crazy Train" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | John | Episode: "Los Angeles: All That Glitters Is Not Gold" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2017 | Pastor Lewis | 4 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Ad Man 4 | Episode: "Humans" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | Guy | Episode #2.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | James Naismith | Episode: "Hashbrowns & Potaters" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Various roles | Television film | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Paul Standinghpin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2021 | Mr. Goodman / Buff Swede (voice) | 18 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | Don Wachtell | Episode: "Wexler v. Goodman" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| :: |
References
References
- "Famous Columbia College Chicago Alumni".
- [https://archive.today/20130117193145/http://benkharakh.com/jay_johnston Ben Kharakh's Interview with Jay Johnston (Part 1) November 14, 2007]
- [https://archive.today/20130117230456/http://benkharakh.com/jay_johnston2 Ben Kharakh's Interview with Jay Johnston (Part 2) November 14, 2007]
- Harris, Will. (November 3, 2015). "The 'W/ Bob and David' Cast Tells Us Their Favorite Post-'Mr. Show' Roles".
- Evans, Bradford. (June 20, 2014). "Diving Deep Into the Legendary 'Mr. Show' Season 3 Writing Staff".
- "Moral Orel".
- Haskoor, Michael. (December 19, 2021). "'Bob's Burgers' Actor Jay Johnston Will No Longer Voice 'Jimmy Pesto' After Participating In Capitol Riot".
- (November 6, 2023). "'Bob's Burgers' Finds Replacement for Disgraced Jimmy Pesto Voice Actor". Collider.
- Chappell, Bill. (July 9, 2024). "Actor Jay Johnston of 'Bob's Burgers' and other comedies pleads guilty in Jan. 6 case". [[NPR]].
- Bohannon, Molly. (October 28, 2024). "'Bob's Burgers' Actor Jay Johnston Gets 1 Year in Prison for Jan. 6 Riot".
- (December 17, 2021). "Actor Jay Johnston Banned From 'Bob's Burgers' Over Capitol Riot". [[The Daily Beast]].
- Riley, Ryan J.. (June 7, 2023). "DOJ charges 'Bob's Burgers,' 'Arrested Development' actor in Jan. 6 Capitol riot". [[NBC News]].
- Kunzelman, Michael. (June 7, 2023). "Actor Jay Johnston, known for 'Bob's Burgers' character, arrested on Capitol riot charges". [[Associated Press News]].
- Riley, Ryan J.. (July 8, 2024). "Comedian from 'Anchorman' and 'Mr. Show' pleads guilty in Jan. 6 Capitol attack". [[NBC News]].
- (June 26, 2024). "Former 'Bob's Burgers' Actor to Plead Guilty in Jan. 6 Case". [[The New York Times]].
- Lee, Ella. (October 28, 2024). "'Bob's Burgers' actor sentenced to 1 year in prison for Jan. 6 role". [[The Hill (newspaper).
- (January 21, 2025). "110 Jan. 6 Defendants From CA Pardoned In Trump's First Official Act". [[Patch Media]].
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