As it approaches the one-year anniversary, the Jan.6 Capitol riot is still affecting different aspects of people’s lives. While some of those involved were convicted, more participants’ identities are yet to be confirmed. Allegedly, the Mr. Show actor Jay Johnston is one of the involved individuals that the FBI is looking for, via Daily Beast. Meanwhile, Johnston is absent from his recurring voice role on Bob’s Burgers.
Johnston is known for his recurring roles from Arrested Development, Mr. Show, and Bob’s Burgers. From 1995 to 1998, Johnston worked as a sketch actor and writer on all four seasons of Mr. Show with Bob and David. The Chicago-born actor also starred in movies such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Bicentennial Man. His character from Bob’s Burgers, Jimmy Pesto Sr., has been one of the most popular figures of the series.
Johnston’s alleged participation in the Capital riot became likely when the FBI published his face in a poster soliciting tips about a possible riot suspect. On March 4, the FBI released footage with a man wearing a green leather jacket and camouflage neck gaiter numbered as suspect 247. The man in the photo was alongside rioters taking pictures as Trump supporters pushed their ways toward the building in front of scaffolding set up for the forthcoming inauguration. The man in the photo looks like Johnston.
A few of Johnston’s colleagues had pointed that the person is Johnston himself. Cassandra Church (Nightstalker), an actress who worked alongside Johnston on the show Harmontown, tweeted: “I’m no detective, but I do know Jay. He said he was there. And that’s him in the picture. So…” Spencer Crittenden (HarmonQuest), another Harmontown colleague of Johnston’s, also confirmed Johnston’s support for the 45th President. Tim Heidecker (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!), an actor and comedy writer who guest-starred on Bob’s Burgers, went on and tweeted that “It’s Jay”. Both Heidecker and Crittenden deleted their statement shortly after posting.
One of the theories suggests that Johnston was “banned” from playing Jimmy Pesto Sr. from Bob’s Burgers due to the allegations. The source came from a top staff at the long-running animated sitcom. Prior to his absence, Johnston had voiced Pesto in a total of 43 episodes of Bob’s Burgers throughout its first 11 seasons. His latest appearance was on May 2, 2021.
Some may find it not surprising that Johnston is allegedly involved in the Capital riot. According to The Daily Beast, Johnston has been a loyal supporter of the 45th President. He is also an associate of Gavin McInnes, the founder of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group. Although McInnes has been distancing himself from the group, many members of the Proud Boys were participants of the Capital riot.
On Friday, a Fox spokesperson responded to the event, “Thanks for reaching out, FOX has no comment”. A Disney spokesperson similarly replied, “We will not be providing a comment.” Johnston could not be reached for comment, and phone calls were not returned as of Friday afternoon. At this point, Johnston has not been arrested or charged with a crime.