Bobcat Goldthwait facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bobcat Goldthwait
Goldthwait in 2015
Born	Robert Francis Goldthwait (1962-05-26) May 26, 1962 (age 63) Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Stand-up comedian actor director screenwriter
Years active	1980–present
Spouse(s)	Ann Luly ​ ​ (m. 1986; div. 1998)​ Sarah de Sa Rego ​ ​ (m. 2009; div. 2014)​ Pollyanna McIntosh ​ ​ (m. 2024)​
Partner(s)	Nikki Cox (1997–2005)
Children	2
Comedy career
Medium	Stand-up film television
Genres	Black comedy political satire
Subject(s)	American politics everyday life

Robert Francis "Bobcat" Goldthwait (born May 26, 1962) is a well-known American comedian, actor, director, and screenwriter. He is famous for his unique stand-up comedy style. He uses an energetic stage presence and a very distinct, raspy, high-pitched voice.

Bobcat Goldthwait became popular with his comedy specials like An Evening with Bobcat Goldthwait—Share the Warmth. He also gained fame for his acting roles. These include playing Zed in the Police Academy movies and Eliot Loudermilk in Scrooged. Since 2012, he has been a regular guest on the radio show Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!.

Goldthwait has also written and directed many films and TV shows. Some of his notable works include the comedies Shakes the Clown (1991) and World's Greatest Dad (2009). He also directed episodes for popular TV shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Maron.

He has also done a lot of voice acting. You might recognize his voice in Hercules (1997) and Hercules: The Animated Series. He also voices Pop Fizz in the Skylanders video game series and the Skylanders Academy TV show.

Early life

Robert Francis Goldthwait was born on May 26, 1962, in Syracuse, New York. His mother, Kathleen Ann, worked at a department store, and his father, Thomas Lincoln, was a sheet metal worker. He grew up in a working-class family.

From a young age, Bobcat wanted to be a comedian. He loved making his friends laugh. When he was in grammar school, he would often put on shows for his friends. One of his friends was Tom Kenny, who later became a famous voice actor. Bobcat enjoyed trying out new ideas and using props in his performances.

In 1980, Goldthwait and Tom Kenny graduated from Bishop Grimes Junior/Senior High School. They started a comedy group called The Generic Comics. When they were teenagers, they saw an ad for an open-mic night. A comedian named Barry Crimmins was performing there. Bobcat and Kenny went to the event and performed using the names Bobcat and Tomcat as a tribute to Crimmins.

Career

Stand-up comedy

Bobcat Goldthwait became well-known as a solo stand-up comedian. He released a comedy album called "Meat Bob" and had two TV specials in the 1980s. These were An Evening with Bobcat Goldthwait—Share the Warmth and Bob Goldthwait—Is He Like That All the Time?. He became famous for his unique style of comedy. It often included funny comments about society and sometimes dark humor.

In the 1990s, Goldthwait and Robin Williams sometimes performed together. They used funny stage names like Jack Cheese and Marty Fromage. Later, Goldthwait used the name Jack Cheese when he appeared in the movie Tapeheads. Robin Williams also used the name Marty Fromage when he appeared in Goldthwait's movie Shakes the Clown.

Goldthwait also performed as an opening act for the band Nirvana in 1993. The band's leader, Kurt Cobain, was a fan of his comedy.

In 1995, Goldthwait filmed a special for HBO. He released another comedy album in 2003 called I Don't Mean to Insult You, But You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait. In 2004, his stand-up comedy was featured in the animated TV series Shorties Watchin' Shorties.

Acting

Goldthwait has appeared in many films. His first big role was playing Zed in the Police Academy movie series. He also starred in movies like One Crazy Summer, Burglar, Scrooged, and Hot to Trot. In 1992, he directed, wrote, and starred in the movie Shakes the Clown. He also had a small role as a writer in Radioland Murders.

In 1985, Goldthwait appeared in music videos for the band Twisted Sister. These videos were for their songs "Leader of the Pack" and "Be Chrool to Your Scuel".

In 1992, Goldthwait was a guest co-host on The Ben Stiller Show. He also appeared on the TV show Married... with Children as a relative of Peggy Bundy. Later in 1992, he was a guest star on the sitcom The Golden Palace. He played an excited and unusual psychiatrist.

Later work

Goldthwait appeared in four episodes of the animated talk show Space Ghost Coast to Coast.

One of the most recognizable things about Goldthwait's performances is his voice. He has voiced characters in many TV series. These include Capitol Critters (1992), The Moxy Show (1993-1995), Unhappily Ever After (1995–1999), and The Tick (1995). He also voiced characters in Hercules and Hercules: The Animated Series (1998–1999). Other voice roles include Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003–2006) and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000).

Goldthwait at the Festival du Cinema Americain (Deauville 2012)

In 2009, Goldthwait was a guest on Adam Carolla's podcast. He also returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a guest with his friend Robin Williams.

In 2012, he voiced a character named Pop Fizz for the popular video game series Skylanders. Pop Fizz is an excited gremlin chemist who can drink potions to become a powerful monster. He first appeared in Skylanders: Giants. Pop Fizz has appeared in many Skylanders games since then. Goldthwait also voiced Pop Fizz in the 2016 Netflix series Skylanders Academy, which ended in 2018.

Directing

Goldthwait started directing for Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2004. During his time there, the show's viewership increased. He left in 2006 to focus on directing films. However, he still keeps in touch with Jimmy Kimmel and directs for TV and movies. He returned to direct segments for Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2007.

Shakes the Clown

Shakes the Clown (1991) was Goldthwait's first film as a director. He also wrote and starred in it. The movie shows different groups of clowns and mimes. It makes fun of how competitive and focused on status these groups can be.

Sleeping Dogs Lie

Goldthwait's third film, Sleeping Dogs Lie (2006), was shown at the Sundance Film Festival. It was nominated for an award there. The film was later released in theaters in October 2006.

World's Greatest Dad

Goldthwait's fourth film, World's Greatest Dad, was released in 2009. It starred Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara, and Alexie Gilmore. The film was described as a unique comedy that explores themes of love and loss.

God Bless America

God Bless America premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. It was also shown at the Maryland Film Festival in 2012.

Willow Creek

Willow Creek is a horror film that premiered in 2013. It was shown at the Independent Film Festival of Boston and other festivals. The film made its West Coast debut near its filming location in Willow Creek, California.

In 2017, Goldthwait made a short documentary called American Bigfoot. It was about the Ohio Bigfoot Conference.

Call Me Lucky

In 2015, Goldthwait released Call Me Lucky. This was a documentary about the life and work of comedian and activist Barry Crimmins. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Joy Ride

In 2019, Goldthwait and fellow comedian Dana Gould planned to film their two-person stand-up show. They filmed four shows in February 2020. Joy Ride was released in October 2020.

Misfits & Monsters

On July 11, 2018, Goldthwait's TV series Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters premiered on truTV. This show is an anthology series, meaning each episode tells a different story.

Personal life

Bobcat Goldthwait has been married three times. His first marriage was to Ann Luly from 1986 to 1998. He was then married to Sarah de Sa Rego from 2009 to 2014. In 2024, he married Pollyanna McIntosh. He has two children.

Awards and honors

Goldthwait's film Windy City Heat won an award for Best Comedy Film at the Just for Laughs Film Festival in Montreal in 2009.

In June 2015, Bobcat Goldthwait was honored as "Filmmaker on the Edge" at the 17th Annual Provincetown International Film Festival. The award was presented by director John Waters.

Discography

• Meat Bob (1988) Chrysalis Records
• I Don't Mean to Insult You, but You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait (September 23, 2003, Comedy Central Records)
• You Don't Look the Same Either (May 8, 2012, Comedy Central Records)
• Soldier for Christ (2023) Pretty Good Friends Records

Filmography

Film

As director

As performer/himself

Television

Video games

See also

In Spanish: Bobcat Goldthwait para niños