Bobcat Goldthwait

Robert Francis "Bobcat" Goldthwait (born May 26, 1962) is an American comedian, director, actor, voice actor, and screenwriter, known for his acerbic black comedy, delivered through an energetic stage persona with an unusual gruff and high-pitched voice. He came to prominence with his stand-up specials An Evening with Bobcat Goldthwait—Share the Warmth and Bob Goldthwait—Is He Like That All the Time? and his acting roles, including Zed in the Police Academy franchise. Since 2012, he has been a regular panelist on the radio-quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!.

Bobcat Goldthwait
Goldthwait in 2015
Birth nameRobert Francis Goldthwait
Born (1962-05-26) May 26, 1962
Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • film
  • television
Years active1980–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Spouse
Ann Luly
(m. 1986; div. 1998)

Sarah de Sa Rego
(m. 2009; div. 2014)
Partner(s)Nikki Cox (1997–2005)
Children2

Goldthwait has written and directed a number of films and television series, most notably the black comedies Shakes the Clown (1991), in which he also starred, Sleeping Dogs Lie (2006), World's Greatest Dad (2009), God Bless America (2011), and the horror film Willow Creek (2013); episodes of Chappelle's Show, The Larry Sanders Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2004–07), and Maron (2013–15); and several stand-up specials, including Patton Oswalt: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time (2014).

He has also worked extensively as a voice actor, with voice roles in Capitol Critters (1992–95), Hercules (1997), and Hercules: The Animated Series (1998–99).

Early life

Robert Francis Goldthwait was born on May 26, 1962 in Syracuse, New York, the son of Kathleen Ann (Welch), a department store employee, and Thomas Lincoln Goldthwait, a sheet metal worker.[1] He was raised in a working-class Catholic family.[2]

At an early age, Goldthwait decided on a career as a comedian. Inspiration for the decision was heavily induced by his enjoyment to make his friends laugh. During his time at St. Matthew's Grammar School, Goldthwait would host performances for his friends regularly, among them voice actor Tom Kenny. As Goldthwait would experiment with new content, he noticed he had an extreme liking for props.

In 1980, Goldthwait and Kenny graduated together from Bishop Grimes Junior/Senior High School in East Syracuse, New York. They formed a comedy troupe called The Generic Comics.[3] In their mid-teens, they saw an ad for an open-mic night in Skaneateles that featured comedian Barry Crimmins with the moniker "Bear Cat". He and Kenny went to the event and performed under the monikers Bobcat and Tomcat, respectively, as a tribute to Crimmins.[4][5] Early in his career, Goldthwait also co-wrote with Martin Olson, who is listed as writer on his first two comedy specials Share the Warmth and Don't Watch This Show.

Career

Stand-up

Goldthwait became recognized as a solo stand-up comedian and had a record "Meat Bob" and two televised concert specials in the 1980s: An Evening with Bobcat Goldthwait —Share the Warmth and Bob Goldthwait —Is He Like That All the Time? He became known for his unique brand of comedy, which combines elements of political satire and often bizarre or unsettling black comedy.

During the fall of 1993, Goldthwait performed stand-up material as an opening act for Nirvana on what would be their final North American tour. He had been selected for the slot due to frontman Kurt Cobain being a fan of his comedy, and the two developed a friendship over the course of the tour.[6] He also appeared in a promo video for the band's album In Utero and once fooled an interviewer during a phone interview, impersonating Dave Grohl. At midnight on New Year's Eve 1993, Goldthwait rappelled nude from a catwalk of the stage at the Oakland Coliseum as Kurt Cobain led a countdown.[7]

Goldthwait filmed a half-hour HBO special in 1995, and another comedy album in 2003 I Don't Mean to Insult You, But You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait and in 2004 his stand-up was featured in Comedy Central's animated series Shorties Watchin' Shorties. Goldthwait announced his retirement from stand-up in 2005 and performed a "final" run in Vegas in September 2005; he briefly resumed touring in early 2008 (from January through April); he performed again in 2009, doing stand-up in Winnipeg on April 3 and 4, and again in Omaha on August 28 and 29; he returned to Winnipeg for 4 shows on April 9 and 10, 2010. He released a one-hour stand-up special in 2011 You Don't Look the Same Either.

Acting

Goldthwait and Robin Williams appeared on the same bill together, but not as a comedy team, using the names "Jack Cheese" and "Marty Fromage." Goldthwait used the name Jack Cheese when he appeared in Tapeheads; when Williams made a cameo as Mime Jerry in Goldthwait's Shakes the Clown, he was billed as Marty Fromage.

Goldthwait has appeared in several films. His first major role was Zed in the Police Academy franchise. He starred in One Crazy Summer, Burglar, Scrooged and Hot to Trot. In 1992, Goldthwait directed, wrote, and starred in Shakes the Clown. He also made an appearance as a writer in Radioland Murders.[8]

In 1985, Goldthwait appeared in Twisted Sister's official video to "Leader of the Pack" and "Be Chrool to Your Scuel" from Come Out and Play.

In 1992, Goldthwait appeared as a guest-co-host of the second episode of The Ben Stiller Show. He also appeared as a relative of Peggy Bundy on the Married... with Children show where he and his wife dropped one of their numerous offspring on the Bundys.

Guest appearances and controversy

Goldthwait appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 1993, where he tossed furniture and ran around the set, then into the audience.

As a guest on one of the last episodes of The Arsenio Hall Show in April 1994, Goldthwait became demonstrably upset that the program was being cancelled. At the time, it was widely believed that Paramount Studios had refused to renew Hall's contract because Late Night with David Letterman was moving to CBS, and Goldthwait took his anger out on Paramount. He stood on the set's couch, spray-painted "Paramount Sucks" on a glass wall, and threw video equipment around the studio. Hall was forced to try to restrain Goldthwait and security was called to the set.[9]

On May 9, 1994, Goldthwait appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, where he briefly lit the guest chair on fire.[10] As a result, he was fined $2,700 plus the cost of the chair ($698); he was also required to tape several public-service announcements about fire safety. Due to this incident, he is a convicted arsonist.[10] Despite banishment rumors, Leno invited Goldthwait to appear seven days later for a bit with Goldthwait buried up to his neck in dirt.[11]

These incidents were later the basis of the plot for his subsequent appearance on The Larry Sanders Show in August 1994, where the fictional talk show hires him in the hope of improving their ratings if he does another stunt. They also inspired a pseudo-fire safety PSA on MadTV.

Later work

He was also in four episodes of Space Ghost Coast to Coast: "Bobcat", "Surprise", "Anniversary" and an uncredited appearance in the episode, "Kentucky Nightmare".

One of the most recognizable features of Goldthwait's performances is his voice. He has voiced characters on the television series Capitol Critters (1992), The Moxy Show (1995), Unhappily Ever After (1995–1999), The Tick (1995), Hercules, Hercules: The Animated Series (1998–1999), Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003–2006), and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000). Goldthwait has also appeared as himself hosting the comedy quiz show Bobcat's Big Ass Show (1998). Goldthwait was also a semi-regular guest in the later seasons of the Tom Bergeron-version of Hollywood Squares in 1998.

Goldthwait at the Festival du Cinema Americain (Deauville 2012)

Goldthwait was a featured guest on the August 20, 2009, episode of Adam Carolla's podcast. And on August 26, 2009, he returned to guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with old friend Robin Williams during which he revealed a tattoo on his buttocks of an anthropomorphized cymbal with a mustache and slanted eyes (a pun on the Chinese symbol tattoo).

Goldthwait appeared in September 2010 on an episode of LA Ink, where shop owner Kat Von D gave him a tattoo of a potato, impaled on a fork, on his upper right arm. Goldthwait chose the design to remind himself of where he came from and to tell close friends and family that he had not lost his sense of humor. He also displayed his older tattoo of a cymbal with a moustache on his buttocks.

Goldthwait appeared on the May 4, 2012, episode of Real Time with Bill Maher. Goldthwait was a voice guest in Season 4 of Adventure Time. He voices Ed in the episode "Web Weirdos". Goldthwait appeared on NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! on May 12, 2012, to talk about his movie God Bless America and play the game "Not My Job" (he won).[12] He then made his debut as one of the show's panelists on the July 14, 2012.

In 2012, he voiced a character known as Pop Fizz, an overexcited gremlin chemist with the ability to drink his potion and become a rampaging monster, for the hit video game series Skylanders, starting with Skylanders: Giants. Pop Fizz appeared in Skylanders: SWAP Force as Super Gulp Pop Fizz, Skylanders: Trap Team as Fizzy Frenzy Pop Fizz, and Skylanders: Superchargers as Big Bubble Pop Fizz. He later reprised the role of Pop Fizz in the 2016 Netflix series Skylanders Academy. The show ended in 2018.

Directing

Goldthwait began directing Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2004.[8] While there, ratings for the show increased to over 2 million viewers per night, and jumped 50% with teens; however, in May 2006 Goldthwait left to pursue his film career. Goldthwait maintains contact with Kimmel and still directs for television and film. He returned to directing segments for Jimmy Kimmel Live! in the summer of 2007.

Sleeping Dogs Lie

Goldthwait's third feature film Sleeping Dogs Lie (originally titled Stay) starring Melinda Page Hamilton was in the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and was part of the "Independent Dramatic Features" competition. Sleeping Dogs Lie is about a youthful, impulsive instance of oral sex performed on a dog which opens the door to a black comedy about the complexities of honesty. It was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the "Dramatic Features" category. The film was bought by Roadside Attractions & Samuel Goldwyn Films at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival for the North American rights to the film, and was released on October 20, 2006. Gaumont bought the international rights to the film. It was released on February 21, 2007, by Gaumont in France, and on March 16, 2007, in the UK. On May 4, 2007, it was presented as John Waters' annual selection of a favorite film within Maryland Film Festival.

World's Greatest Dad

Goldthwait's fourth feature film, World's Greatest Dad, was released on July 24, 2009, on video-on-demand providers before its limited theatrical release on August 21. It starred Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara, and Alexie Gilmore. The web site for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival described it as a "lusciously perverse, and refreshingly original comedy that tackles love, loss, and our curious quest for infamy". Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave World's Greatest Dad 3 out of 4 stars, but commented that the material could have been even darker in its satire, and he questioned whether it was the director's intention.

God Bless America

God Bless America premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival and screened within Maryland Film Festival 2012.

Willow Creek

Willow Creek premiered at the 2013 Independent Film Festival of Boston and screened within such festivals as Maryland Film Festival. The film made its debut on the West Coast at the Arcata Theatre Lounge in Arcata, California, on May 31, 2013, near its filming location of Willow Creek, California.

On July 20, 2013, Willow Creek had its international premier at the Fantasia Festival in Montreal.

Cliff Barackman, a cast member of Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot was originally in Willow Creek but due to editing, his scenes were cut from the film.

Call Me Lucky

In 2015, Goldthwait premiered Call Me Lucky, his documentary on the life and work of comedian/activist Barry Crimmins, at the Sundance Film Festival.[13]

Misfits & Monsters

On July 11, 2018, Goldthwait's anthology television series Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters premiered on truTV.[14]

Personal life

Goldthwait has been married twice. His marriage to his first wife Ann Luly lasted from 1986 to 1998. They have a daughter, Tasha.

Goldthwait was married to his second wife, Sarah de Sa Rego, from 2009 to 2014.[15][16]

In 1997, he was engaged to Nikki Cox;[17][18] their relationship ended in 2005.

Goldthwait has not consumed drugs or alcohol since he was 19.[19]

Awards and honors

Goldthwait's film Windy City Heat won a Comedian Award for Best Comedy Film at Montreal's Just for Laughs Film Festival in 2009.

In June 2015, Bobcat Goldthwait was named "Filmmaker on the Edge" at the 17th Annual Provincetown International Film Festival. John Waters presented the prize.

Discography

Filmography

Film

Year Title Credit Notes
Actor Director Writer Producer
1984 Massive Retaliation Yes Role: Deputy
1985 Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment Yes Role: Zed
1986 Twisted Sister: Come Out and Play Yes Role: Store Clerk & Teacher
1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training Yes Role: Cadet Zed
1986 One Crazy Summer Yes Role: Egg Stork
1987 Burglar Yes Role: Carl Helfer
1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol Yes Role: Zed
1988 Hot to Trot Yes Role: Fred P. Chaney
1988 Tapeheads Yes Billed as Jack Cheese; role: Don Druzel
1988 Scrooged Yes Role: Eliot Loudermilk
1989 Cranium Command Yes Role: Adrenal Gland
1989 Meet the Hollowheads Yes Billed as Jack Cheese; role: Cop #1
1990 Little Vegas Yes
1991 Shakes the Clown Yes Yes Yes Role: Shakes the Clown
1992 Encino Man Yes Role: Yogi
1993 Freaked Yes Role: Sockhead as Tourist / Sockhead (voice)
1994 Radioland Murders Yes Role: Wild Writer
1995 Destiny Turns on the Radio Yes Role: Mr. Conally
1996 Back to Back Yes Role: Psycho
1996 Arli$ Yes
1997 Sweethearts Yes Role: Charles
1997 Dog's Best Friend Yes
1997 Disney's Hercules Yes Video game; role: Pain (voice)
1997 Hercules Yes Role: Pain (voice)
1998 Stories from My Childhood Yes
1998 Rusty: A Dog's Tale Yes Role: Jet the Turtle (voice)
1999 Sonic Underground Yes Role: Amear (voice)
2000 Lion of Oz Yes Role: The Silly Oz-Bul (voice)
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Yes Video game; role: XL (voice)
2000 G-Men from Hell Yes Role: Buster Lloyd
2001 Late Friday Role: Host
2001 Blow Yes Role: Mr. T
2002 Jackie Chan Adventures Yes Role: The Monkey King
2002 Mickey's House of Villains Yes Video; role: Pain (voice)
2002 Hansel and Gretel Yes Role: Troll (voice)
2003 Grind Yes Role: Bell Clerk
2005 A Halfway House Christmas Yes Role: Narrator (voice)
2006 Leroy & Stitch Yes Role: Nosy (voice)
2006 Sleeping Dogs Lie Yes Yes Yes
2008 Goldthwait Home Movies Yes Yes Short film; role: Robert Goldthwait
2009 World's Greatest Dad Yes Yes Yes Role: The Limo Driver (uncredited)
2011 God Bless America Yes Yes
2012 Skylanders: Giants Yes Video game; role: Pop Fizz (voice)
2013 Willow Creek Yes Yes
2013 "Kinks Shirt" Yes Music video
2017 American Bigfoot Yes Role: Himself (cameo)
2015 Call Me Lucky Yes Documentary
2018 Henchmen Yes Role: Jackalope (voice)

Television

Year Title Credit Notes
Actor Director Writer Producer
1986 The Vidiots Yes TV film; role: Herman Kraylor
1987 An Evening with Bobcat Goldthwait: Share the Warmth Yes Yes Comedy special; role: Himself
1990–96 Tales from the Crypt Yes 2 episodes
Role: Wolf / Billy Goldman (voices)
1992 Married... with Children Yes Episode: "Magnificent Seven";
role: Zemus
1992 The Golden Palace Yes Episode: "Promotional Considerations";
role: Gordon McRay Cosay
1992–95 Capitol Critters Yes 13 episodes; role: Muggle
1993 Are You Afraid of the Dark? Yes Episode: "The Tale of the Final Wish";
role: Sandman
1993 Herman's Head Yes Episode: "Jay Is for Jealousy";
role: Suzie's Jealousy
1993 Eek! The Cat Yes Episode: "It's a Very Merry Eek's-mas";
role: Blizten (voice)
1994 The John Larroquette Show Yes Episode: "The Big Slip";
role: Boss's Nephew
1994 Dave's World Yes Episode: "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"
1994–95 Duckman Yes 2 episodes
roles: Cinque / Wino / Indian
1994–95 The Moxy Show Yes Yes Role: Moxy (voice)
1994–01 Space Ghost Coast to Coast Yes 4 episodes; role: Himself
1995 ER Yes Episode: "Feb 5, '95";
role: Mr. Conally
1995 Beavis and Butt-head Yes 2 episodes; role: Bum
1995 Out There Yes TV film; role: Cobb
1995–99 Unhappily Ever After Yes Yes Role: Mr. Floppy
1996 Living Single Yes 2 episodes; role: Mugger
1996 The Tick Yes Episode: "The Tick vs. Education";
role: Uncle Creamy (voice)
1997 Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Yes Episode: "Studio Guy"; role: Bob (voice)
1997 Mad TV 1 episode; role: Host
1997 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Yes Episode: "Oh What a Tangled Spell She Weaves";
role: Merlin
1998 Hollywood Squares Role: Himself
1998 The Army Show Yes Episode: "Have I Got a Deal for You"
Role: Used Car Salesman
1998–99 Hercules: The Animated Series Yes 22 episodes; role: Pain (voice)
1998–99 Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular Yes 2 episodes
2000 Strip Mall Yes
2000–03 The Man Show Yes 42 episodes (additional segments)
2001–02 Disney's House of Mouse Yes 5 episodes; role: Pain (voice)
2002–03 Crank Yankers Yes Yes Role: Steven Goldstein (voice)
2003 That '70s Show Yes Episode: "The Battle of Evermore"; role: Eli
2003 Chappelle's Show Yes Yes Directed 4 episodes; role: Himself
2003 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Yes Episode: "Last Laugh"; role: Michael Borland
2003 Windy City Heat Yes Yes TV film; role: The Director
2003–06 Lilo & Stitch: The Series Yes 4 episodes; role: Nosy (voice)
2004 Non-Denominational All-Star
Celebrity Holiday Special
Yes
2004–07 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Yes Directed 267 episodes; role: Himself
2007 Random! Cartoons Yes Episode: "Squirly Town"; role: Zoopie
2009 Back at the Barnyard Yes Episode: "Halloween Special";
role: Hockey Mask Bob (voice)
2009 Just for Laughs Yes Episode: "Gerry Dee"
2010 Important Things with Demetri Martin Yes Directed 8 episodes
2010 I Confess Yes TV film; role: Bishop Goldthwarp
2010 That's How We Do It! Yes Comedy special
2011–12 Fish Hooks Yes 2 episodes;
roles: Fish Santa / Roy and Bea's Pillow (voices)
2012 Bobcat Goldthwait: You Don't Look the Same Either. Yes Comedy special; role: Himself
2012 Adventure Time Yes Episode: "Web Weirdos";
role: Ed (voice)
2012 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja Yes Episode: "Stank'd to the Future/Wave Slayers";
role: Dickie (voice)
2013 Regular Show Yes Episode: "The Heart of a Stuntman";
role: Johnny Crasher (voice)
2013 Maron Yes Yes Episode: "Projections"; role: Himself
Directed 11 episodes
2013-2020 Bob's Burgers Yes Episode: "Christmas in the Car"; role: Gary (voice) &
Episode: "Drumforgiven"; role: Dino (voice
2014 Patton Oswalt: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time Yes Comedy special
2014 Morgan Murphy: Irish Goodbye Yes Comedy special
2014 Robert Kelly: Live at the Village Underground Yes Yes Comedy special
2015 Community Yes Episode: "Basic Crisis Room Decorum"
2015 Eugene Mirman: Vegan on His Way
to the Complain Store
Yes Comedy special
2015 Marc Maron: More Later Yes Comedy special
2016 Cameron Esposito: Marriage Material Yes Comedy special
2016 Gary Gulman: It's About Time Yes Yes Comedy special
2016 Those Who Can't Yes Directed six episodes
2016 Iliza: Confirmed Kills Yes Comedy Special
2016 Future-Worm! Yes Episode: "Meetiversary/Steak Starbolt/The Very Hungry Killa-Pillah"
role: Dr. Wolfman (voice)
2016–present Skylanders Academy Yes Role: Pop Fizz (voice)
2017 Patton Oswalt: Annihilation Yes Comedy special
2017 Love You More Yes Yes Yes Amazon Pilot Season Episode 1
2018 Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters Yes Yes Yes Television series
2019 Summer Camp Island Yes Role: Oscar (Sasquatch Monk's voice)
2019 Ron Funches: Giggle Fit Yes
2020 AJ and the Queen Yes Episode: "Columbus"

References

  1. "Club Events and Weddings". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. April 25, 1948. p. 34.
  2. Champ, Christine (August 19, 2009). "Interview: Bobcat Goldthwait on World's Greatest Dad, Time Machines, Woody Allen, and More". Film.com. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  3. https://m.imgur.com/gallery/cwEGb
  4. "Barry Crimmins's Life-Changing Comedy". The New Yorker. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  5. "Louis C.K. directs CNY comedy legend Barry Crimmins' first-ever standup special". syracuse.com. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  6. McCarter, Reid. "Turns out Bobcat Goldthwait was an important part of Nirvana's MTV Unplugged". News. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  7. MCRA NIRVANA (October 27, 2016), Nirvana - [Full Show Remastered] Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA 1993, retrieved June 18, 2017
  8. Dave Itzkoff (August 7, 2009). "No Joke: Bobcat Goldthwait, Auteur". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. "Quirky Comedian Erupts On 'Arsenio Hall Show'". Orlando Sentinel. May 1, 1994.
  10. "Hollywood's Most Wanted! '94". People Magazine. Retrieved March 30, 2012. December 26, 1994 Vol. 42 No. 26
  11. "Joe Rogan Experience #800—Bobcat Goldthwait". @ 1 hour 52 minutes. Retrieved June 24, 2016.CS1 maint: location (link)
  12. "Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait Plays Not My Job". Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!. May 11, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  13. Harvey, Dennis. "Sundance Film Review: 'Call Me Lucky'". Variety.com. Variety. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  14. "Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters". TV Guide.
  15. Hochman, David (September 9, 2013). "Still Crazy: Years after Mork and Buffy, Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar hope to rope us in with a new sitcom". TV Guide. pp. 16–19.
  16. Baker, Christopher (April 25, 2012). "BobCat Goldthwait Interview". Syracuse New Times. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012.
  17. Rosen, Alison. "Kevin Connolly: The Entourage Wingman Turns Indie Auteur". Time Out New York. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
  18. O'toole, Caitlin (September 24, 1997). "Goldthwait, Nikki Cox Engaged". People. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
  19. https://www.leoweekly.com/2016/03/bobcat-goldthwait-on-leaving-animal-behind-not-doing-coke-making-documentaries-and-directing/
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