Bobcat Goldthwait

Bobcat Goldthwait

Goldthwait at the Montclair Film Festival, May 2015
Birth name Robert Francis Goldthwait
Born (1962-05-26) May 26, 1962
Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Medium Stand-up, film, television
Nationality American
Years active 1980–present
Genres Black comedy, political satire
Subject(s) American politics, race relations
Spouse Ann Luly (1986–1998; divorced; 2 children)
Sarah de Sa Rego (2009–2014)
Notable works and roles Zed in Police Academy 2, 3, 4
Shakes the Clown in Shakes the Clown
Mr. Floppy in Unhappily Ever After
Pain in Hercules
Sleeping Dogs Lie (Screenwriter and Director)
World's Greatest Dad (Screenwriter and Director)
God Bless America (Screenwriter and Director)

Robert Francis "Bobcat" Goldthwait (born May 26, 1962) is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, and voice artist, 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.

Goldthwait has written and directed a number of films and television series, most notably the black comedies Shakes the Clown (1991), which he also starred in, 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 (2003), 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

Goldthwait was born Robert Francis Goldthwait 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][2] He was raised in a Catholic working-class family.[3]

At an early age, Goldthwait decided on a career as a comedian and was performing professionally while still in high school at age 15. He attended St. Matthew's grammar school in East Syracuse, New York, where he met Tom Kenny in 1st grade. In 1980, they graduated together from Bishop Grimes Junior/Senior High School in East Syracuse, New York. They formed a comedy troupe with Tom Nettle called the Generic Comics. Although nicknamed "Bobcat" and "Tomcat," they did not appear as a comedy team together. 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 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 somewhat unsettling black comedy.

In 2004, Goldthwait's 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. Continuing his retirement from stand-up he took the stage in Atlanta from January 27–30, 2011.

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 a cameo appearance as an insane writer in Radioland Murders.[4]

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.[5]

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, angering audiences in Chicago after making a joke about Michael Jordan's recently murdered father. 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.

As a guest on one of the last episodes of The Arsenio Hall Show, 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 now 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, knocked over some video equipment, then threw cushions from the couch into the audience (they cheered).

He began directing Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2004.[4][5] 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.

Guest appearances

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.[6]

Goldthwait appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 1993, where he tossed furniture and ran around the set, then into the audience. He has also made several guest appearances on talk shows as well as comedy programs. On May 9, 1994, Goldthwait appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, where he briefly lit the guest chair on fire.[7] 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.[7] The incident was later the basis of the plot for his subsequent appearance on The Larry Sanders Show and also inspired a pseudo-fire safety PSA on MadTV. He was also in the 5th episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast, "Bobcat", "Surprise", the 37th episode, "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 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.[5]

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 hasn't 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.[5] Goldthwait was a voice guest in Season 4 of Adventure Time. He voices Ed in the episode "Web Weirdos".[5] 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).[8] 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 games Skylanders: Giants and Skylanders: SWAP Force.

Film directing

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 Theater Lounge in Arcata, California, on May 31, 2013, near its filming location of Willow Creek, California. Many of the cast and crew were on hand with Goldthwait for a question and answer session after the showing.On July 20, 2013 Willow Creek had its international premier at the Fantasia Festival in Montreal. After the movie Goldthwait stayed for a question and answer session. On October 22, 2013, Bobcat was in attendance at the Portland, Oregon Premier of Willow Creek. The Historic Hollywood theater hosted the packed house event. Bobcat, along with Cliff Barackman, cast member of Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot, answered questions after the showing. Barackman 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.[9]

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.

In 1997, he was engaged to Nikki Cox,[10][11] but their relationship ended in 2005.

Goldthwait was married to Sarah de Sa Rego and was best friends with Robin Williams, whose co-star on The Crazy Ones, Sarah Michelle Gellar, got the part through her friendship with de Sa Rego.[12][13]

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

Film & Television

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 The Vidiots Yes TV film; role: Herman Kraylor
1986 One Crazy Summer Yes Role: Egg Stork
1987 Burglar Yes Role: Carl Helfer
1987 An Evening with Bobcat Goldthwait: Share the Warmth Yes Comedy special; role: Himself
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
1990–96 Tales from the Crypt Yes 2 episodes
Role: Wolf / Billy Goldman (voices)
1991 Shakes the Clown Yes Yes Yes Role: Shakes the Clown
1992 Married... with Children Yes Episode: "Magnificent Seven";
role: Zemus
1992 The Golden Palace Yes Episode: "Promotional Considerations";
role: The Killer
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 Freaked Yes Role: Sockhead as Tourist / Sockhead (voice)
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 Radioland Murders Yes Role: Wild Writer
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 Destiny Turns on the Radio Yes 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 Back to Back Yes Role: Psycho
1996 Encino Man Yes Role: Yogi
1996 Arli$$ Yes
1996 Living Single Yes 2 episodes; role: Mugger
1996 The Tick Yes Episode: "The Tick vs. Education";
role: Uncle Creamy (voice)
1997 Sweethearts Yes Role: Charles
1997 Dog's Best Friend Yes
1997 Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Yes Episode: "Studio Guy"; role: Bob (voice)
1997 Mad TV 1 episode; role: Host
1997 Disney's Hercules Yes Video game; role: Pain (voice)
1997 Hercules Yes Role: Pain (voice)
1997 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Yes Episode: "Oh What a Tangled Spell She Weaves";
role: Merlin
1998 Stories from My Childhood Yes
1998 Hollywood Squares Role: Himself
1998 Rusty: A Dog's Tale Yes Role: Jet the Turtle (voice)
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
1999 Hercules: Zero to Hero Yes Video; role: Pain (voice)
1999-2009 Ed, Edd n Eddy Yes Role: Eddy (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 Strip Mall Yes
2000 G-Men from Hell Yes Role: Buster Lloyd
2000–03 The Man Show Yes 42 episodes (additional segments)
2001 Late Friday Role: Host
2001–02 Disney's House of Mouse Yes 5 episodes; role: Pain (voice)
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)
2002–03 Crank Yankers Yes Yes Role: Steven Goldstein (voice)
2002 Hansel and Gretel Yes Role: Troll (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 Grind Yes Role: Bell Clerk
2003 Windy City Heat Yes Yes TV film; role: The Director
2003–04 Lilo & Stitch: The Series Yes 3 episodes; role: Nosy (voice)
2004 Non-Denominational All-Star
Celebrity Holiday Special		 Yes
2004–07 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Yes Directed 267 episodes; role: Himself
2005 A Halfway House Christmas Yes Role: Narrator (voice)
2006 Leroy & Stitch Yes Role: Nosy (voice)
2006 Sleeping Dogs Lie Yes Yes Yes
2007 Random! Cartoons Yes Episode: "Squirly Town"; role: Zoopie
2008 Goldthwait Home Movies Yes Yes Short film; role: Robert Goldthwait
2009 World's Greatest Dad Yes Yes Yes Role: The Limo Driver (uncredited)
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 God Bless America Yes Yes
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 Role: Ed (voice)
2012 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja Yes Episode: "Stank'd to the Future/Wave Slayers";
role: Dickie (voice)
2012 Skylanders: Giants Yes Video game; role: Pop Fizz (voice)
2013 Willow Creek Yes Yes
2013 Regular Show Yes Episode: "The Heart of a Stuntman";
role: Johnny Crasher (voice)
2013 Maron Yes Yes Episode: "The Heart of a Stuntment"; role: Himself
Directed 11 episodes
2013 Bob's Burgers Yes Episode: "Christmas in the Car"; role: Gary (voice)
2013 "Kinks Shirt" Yes Music video
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 Comedy special
2014 Finding Bigfoot Role: Himself (cameo)
2015 Call Me Lucky Yes Documentary
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 Those Who Can't Yes Directed two episodes
2016 Henchmen Yes Role: Jackalope (voice)

References

  1. ↑ "Bob Goldthwait Biography (1962-)". filmreference.com.
  2. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/35957085/
  3. ↑ Champ, Christine (2009-08-19). "Interview: Bobcat Goldthwait on World's Greatest Dad, Time Machines, Woody Allen, and More". Film.com. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  4. 1 2 Dave Itzkoff (August 7, 2009). "No Joke: Bobcat Goldthwait, Auteur". New York Times. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bobcat Goldthwait". IMDB. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
  6. ↑ "Married With Children: 'Magnificent Seven'". imdb.com. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  7. 1 2 "Hollywood's Most Wanted! '94". People Magazine. Retrieved 2012-03-30. December 26, 1994 Vol. 42 No. 26
  8. ↑ "Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait Plays Not My Job". Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!. May 11, 2012. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
  9. ↑ Harvey, Dennis. "Sundance Film Review: ‘Call Me Lucky’". Variety.com. Variety. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  10. ↑ Rosen, Alison. "Kevin Connolly: The Entourage Wingman Turns Indie Auteur". Time Out New York. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  11. ↑ O'toole, Caitlin (1997-09-24). "Goldthwait, Nikki Cox Engaged". people.com. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20120630085905/http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/newyork/article-5795-bobcat-goldthwait-interview.html

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