Jay James Johnston (born October 22, 1968) is an American retired actor, former comedian and handyman. 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
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 +Film work by Jay JohnstonYearTitleRoleNotes1998Jack FrostTV Weatherman1999Bicentennial ManCharles 2000The IndependentSoldierDesperate but Not SeriousMustachioed Cop 2001Not Another Teen MovieRoadieHollywood PalmsYoung Cop 2002Men in Black IIAgentThe Master of DisguiseRex2003BrainwarpGuy SuaveDirect-to-video2004Anchorman: The Legend of Ron BurgundyEyewitness News MemberWake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie2005Dirty LoveWaiter2006Tenacious D in The Pick of DestinyGang Member2007Project Clear Visions: The Anthrax ConspiracyMichael Patrick2008The WaysideDad2009Secret at Arrow LakeDr. William Hardin2011DemotedKline2015Hell and BackRick the Lost SoulVoice2021 Something About HerGeorge2022 Wing DadAllen Marcus
Television +Television work by Jay JohnstonYearTitleRoleNotes1995EllenTransition GuyEpisode: "Hello, I Must Be Going"1995–1998Mr. Show with Bob and DavidVarious characters28 episodes; also writer1997Just Shoot Me!ExterminatorEpisode: "Lemon Wacky Hello"Alright AlreadyOvernight Parcel GuyEpisode: "Again with the Porno Video"1999Ultimate Trek: Star Trek's Greatest MomentsSpockTelevision film2000Tenacious DFBI AgentEpisode: "Road Gig"2001DAGChainsawEpisode: "Prom"Two Guys and a GirlCab DriverEpisode: "An Eye for a Finger"Spring Break LawyerReporterTelevision filmCurb Your EnthusiasmJeremyEpisode: "Shaq"2002Malcolm in the MiddleEdEpisode: "Reese Drives"Next!VariousPilot2004Sweetwater Tides Abbott LewisonTelevision filmLast Laugh '04Pervert2004–2013Arrested DevelopmentOfficer Taylor10 episodes2005Weekends at the D.L.Bill Combs / Darnell Dickerson2 episodes2005–2008Moral OrelCoach Stopframe / Various voices30 episodes; also writer and director2006American MisfitsThe Boss3 episodesLovespring InternationalCarl Jason2 episodesLast Laugh '06Officer 'Shuggatitz'Television film2007Human GiantWhale TrainerEpisode: "Let's Go"; also consultant writerBad DadDrunk Bad DadEpisode #1.2Larry the Cable Guy's Christmas SpectacularMormon GuyTelevision film2007–2010The Sarah Silverman ProgramOfficer Jay McPherson32 episodes2009Reno 911!FBI AgentEpisode: "Viacom Grinch"Parks and RecreationRangerEpisode: "Hunting Trip"2010CommunityPolice Officer #2Episode: "The Science of Illusion"2010–2012Mary Shelley's FrankenholeThe Wolfman / Various voices11 episodes2011Jon Benjamin Has a VanGreg DevlinEpisode: "Little Little Italy"Nick Swardson's Pretend TimeVarious roles5 episodesGuy Suave: Homicidal SpyGuy SuaveTelevision film2011–2021Bob's BurgersJimmy Pesto / Foodie (voice)43 episodes; replaced by Eric Bauza2012Anger ManagementRodneyEpisode: "Charlie Tries to Prove Therapy Is Legit"NTSF:SD:SUV::The LettererEpisode: "Wasilla Hills Cop"2013Childrens HospitalCapt. Beach-HouseEpisode: "Imaginary Friends"High School USA!Officer Dumphy (voice)5 episodes2013–2019Mr. PicklesMr. Goodman / various voices30 episodes2014Comedy Bang! Bang!RepairmanEpisode: "Ellie Kemper Wears a Purple Ruffled Sleeveless Top & Lavender Flats"2015Rick and MortyColdstone Creamery Employee (voice)Episode: "A Rickle in Time"W/ Bob & DavidVarious roles4 episodes; also writer2016Modern FamilyCarlEpisode: "Crazy Train"Hidden America with Jonah RayJohnEpisode: "Los Angeles: All That Glitters Is Not Gold"2016–2017LovePastor Lewis4 episodes2017AnimalsAd Man 4Episode: "Humans"2018Take My WifeGuyEpisode #2.3The 5th QuarterJames NaismithEpisode: "Hashbrowns & Potaters"2019Kevin Hart's Guide to Black HistoryVarious rolesTelevision filmDope StatePaul Standinghpin2019–2021Momma Named Me SheriffMr. Goodman / Buff Swede (voice)18 episodes2020Better Call SaulDon WachtellEpisode: "Wexler v. Goodman"
See also List of cases of the January 6 United States Capitol attack (G-L) Criminal proceedings in the January 6 United States Capitol attack List of people granted executive clemency in the second Trump presidency
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