When Bob’s Burgers Meets the Big House: Jay Johnston’s Fall from Grace
Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we try to recreate a scene from a cartoon while participating in an insurrection! Yes, you heard it right—Jay James Johnston, the voice behind Jimmy Pesto Sr. from Bob’s Burgers, has finally had his day in court, and spoiler alert: it wasn’t a happy ending. Sentenced to a whopping 12 months and one day in prison for his role in the infamous January 6th attempted coup, Johnston is now living proof that crime doesn’t pay… unless, of course, you count the two years of supervised release and a $2,000 restitution bill as part of your earnings!
Johnston’s saga, much like that of his animated character, took a sharp left turn from the comedic to the chaotic. How does one go from voicing a cartoon character beloved for his misadventures in the culinary world to being infamous for wielding a stolen Capitol police riot shield? Well, according to court documents, it involves actively pushing against the police line like one would push through a crowded buffet line at an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant. Not exactly the type of ‘energy’ one expects to see outside of a ribald cartoon show!
After pleading guilty last July to a felony charge of obstruction of law enforcement, the gravity of his actions certainly hit home. “It was a mess,” Johnston texted a friend after the mayhem, which is putting it rather mildly. It’s fascinating how clarity often strikes post-fiasco, isn’t it? The man practically turned into a Sunday morning cartoon character, complete with a dose of maced eyes and tear gas—but somehow still managed to find the experience rather “untastic.” Never change, Jay, never change!
Now, the prosecutors had some serious beef with Johnston, pushing for an 18-month sentence. Why? Because the guy had the audacity to show up to a Halloween party dressed as Jacob Chansley, also known as the “QAnon Shaman.” Imagine that moment; you’re sipping punch, mingling with people dressed as vampires and witches. Then—bam!—in walks Johnston, channeling his inner shaman. Nothing screams “inappropriate” more than a dude in horns and a buffalo costume post-coup attempt. It really takes a certain flair for tragedy to keep making light of such severe events.
Before his infamous turn on January 6th, Johnston was living the good life as a voice actor. Aside from his work on Bob’s Burgers, he lent his voice to shows like Rick and Morty and Moral Orel, which, let’s admit, are nowhere near the level of “what not to do at a democracy” lessons. And if acting didn’t tickle his fancy, he also graced our screens in Better Call Saul, Arrested Development, and more—role models for anyone trying to navigate a career in ‘acting 101.’
However, following Johnston’s escapades on that fateful day, he was effectively given the boot from the cast of Bob’s Burgers—talk about harsh! Being banned from your job because you decided performing lawlessness was a good idea? That’s a plot twist that not even the greatest comedy writers could conjure up. I mean, why write about outrageous behavior when you can actively participate in it?
As we sit back and ponder how a voice actor could fall from such comedic heights into the depths of prison bars, we’re left with a burning question: what’s the next project for one Jay James Johnston? Perhaps a spin on Orange Is the New Black? Or better yet, Bob’s Burgers: Behind Bars? One can only dream. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that reality can sometimes be far stranger than fiction—and for Johnston, his script just took a sharp turn into the tragic! So, remember kids, keep your political views off the streets and your cartoon voices far away from any serious criminal endeavors!
Jay James Johnston, best known for voicing the notorious character Jimmy Pesto Sr. on the animated series Bob’s Burgers, received a prison sentence of 12 months and one day today. This legal consequence comes as a result of his involvement in the January 6, 2021 attempted insurrection against the U.S. government, a chaotic event led by supporters of former President Donald Trump.
The hefty prison term follows Johnston’s guilty plea last July to a serious felony charge of obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder. Along with his incarceration, the court mandated that he undergo two years of supervised release once he completes his sentence and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution.
Details surrounding Johnston’s actions on the fateful day of January 6 are extensively documented in a news release issued by the U.S. attorney’s office for the District of Columbia. Court documents outlined that the 55-year-old Johnston utilized a stolen U.S. Capitol police riot shield and was actively involved in numerous confrontations with law enforcement officers positioned to maintain order at the Capitol.
After the insurrection, Johnston downplayed the events in a text message to a friend, stating, “The news has presented it as an attack… It was a mess. Got maced and tear gassed and I found it quite untastic.” His remarks reveal a troubling perspective on a day that was marked by violence and disorder.
Federal prosecutors argued for a more severe 18-month sentence, citing Johnston’s flippant attitude towards his actions and referencing his choice to portray Jacob Chansley, infamously known as the ‘QAnon Shaman,’ at a Halloween party subsequent to the riots. The U.S. District Court even released a photo of Johnston dressed as Chansley to emphasize this point:
As a result of his actions during the Capitol riots, Johnston faced professional repercussions, leading to him being “banned” from the cast of Bob’s Burgers in December 2021. This decision was reportedly made by the series’ top staff, illustrating the significant fallout from his choices outside of his entertainment career.
In addition to his iconic role in Bob’s Burgers, Johnston has lent his voice to other notable animated series, such as Rick and Morty and Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole. His work also includes directing and producing for Moral Orel, and he has appeared on-screen in acclaimed shows like Better Call Saul, Arrested Development, The Sarah Silverman Program, and Mr. Show with Bob and David.
