Bobcat Goldthwait

Robert Francis ‘Bobcat’ Goldthwait, born May 26, 1962, is an American comedian, and writer, producer, director, and star of films and television shows. He is most widely known for his at times screechy voice and scattergun delivery during his standup comedy performances and some film roles.

He was born in Syracuse, New York in 1962. He decided on a career as a comedian at an early age and was performing professionally while still in high school at the age of 15. He and his classmate, Tom Kenny, performed in a comedy duo, billing themselves as “Bobcat and Tomcat”. Goldthwait became recognized as a solo stand-up comedian and had three televised concert specials in the 1980s: Bob Goldthwait – Is He Like That All the Time?, An Evening with Bobcat Goldthwait: Share the Warmth (1987) and Meat Bob.

Goldthwait’s first major film role was in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985). He reprised the role in the next two films in the series.

During the fall of 1993, Goldthwait did stand-up material as an opening act for Nirvana on what would be their final North American tour.

He has made several guest appearances on talk shows as well as comedy programs including The Ben Stiller Show (1992). On May 9, 1994, he made a controversial appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992), where, on impulse, he set a couch on fire. This incident was then the basis of the plot for his subsequent appearance on The Larry Sanders Show (1992).

One of the most recognizable features of Goldthwait’s performances is his voice. Goldthwait has voiced characters on the television series Capitol Critters (1992); The Moxy & Flea Show (1995); Unhappily Ever After (1995); Hercules (1998) and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000). He has also appeared, as himself, hosting the comedy quiz show Bobcat’s Big Ass Show (1998).

Goldthwait has released two comedy albums: “Meat Bob” (1988) on Chrysalis Records and “I Don’t Mean to Insult You, but You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait” (23 September, 2003) on Comedy Central Records.

He made his feature film directorial debut with Shakes the Clown (1991), which he wrote and starred in as well.

His film, Windy City Heat (2003), won a Comedia Award for Best Comedy Film at Montreal’s Just for Laughs Film Festival in 2004.

He married Ann Luly in 1986 at the age of 24. The couple have two children (now grown), Tasha and Taylor, and divorced in May 1998. At one time, Goldthwait was engaged to his Unhappily Ever After (1995) co-star, Nikki Cox, but the couple has since split.

Bobcat began directing ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) in the fall 2004 season. Since joining the show’s crew, the ratings went up to 2 million viewers a night, with the numbers rising nearly 50% with the teenage demographic. In May of 2006, he left to pursue his film career as a filmmaker/director but has since returned to the show.

Goldthwait’s most recent feature, “Sleeping Dogs Lie” (formally Sleeping Dogs Lie (2006)), starring Melinda Page Hamilton, was in the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and it was part of the “Independent Dramatic Features” competition. “Sleeping Dogs Lie” is about a youthful, impulsive sexual encounter which opens the door to a dark comedy about the complexities of honesty. It was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the “Dramatic Features” category. “Sleeping Dogs Lie” was picked up in a mid-six figure deal for distribution in north America by Roadside Attractions & Samuel Goldwyn Films at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. A French film company called “Gaumont” bought it for the international rights to the film in France. “Tartan Films”, a UK-based production company, also bought it for international rights in the United Kingdom. The film was released in the US on October 20, 2006.