This article has been illustrated as part of
WikiProject WikiWorld.
(Click image for full size version.)
Robert Francis 'Bobcat' Goldthwait (born May 26 1962) is
an American comedian and most commonly known for his
eccentric performance of the deranged Officer Zed in the Police Academy movie franchise, who is also known for his nasally high voice.
Biography
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 attended Bishop Grimes High School in East Syracuse, graduating with voice
actor Tom Kenny (the voice of Spongebob
Squarepants) in the class of 1980. He, Tom Kenny and political satirist Barry Crimmins performed in a comedy trio, billing themselves as "The Generic Comics" and going by the stage
names of "Bobcat, Bearcat and Tomcat". Early in his career, he co-wrote with Boston comedy writer Martin Olson who is listed as writer on his first two comedy specials, Share the
Warmth (HBO) and Don't Watch This Show (Cinemax). 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?.
Goldthwait and Robin Williams had a short-lived comedy partnership, using the names
"Jack Cheese" and "Marty Fromage". Goldthwait used the name Jack Cheese when he appeared in the film Tapeheads, and when Williams made a cameo as Mime Jerry in Goldthwait's Shakes the Clown, he was billed as Marty Fromage.
Appearance
Goldthwait has appeared in several movies. His first major role was in the Police Academy series. He starred in the 1986 comedy film One Crazy Summer, which also starred John Cusack, and his
other big role was in the 1987 comedy film Burglar with Whoopi Goldberg. He also starred in Scrooged with
Bill Murray. He notably starred in Hot to Trot
in 1988 with John Candy and Dabney Coleman. In 1992,
Goldthwait wrote, directed, and starred in the movie Shakes the Clown. He also
made a cameo appearance as an insane writer in the 1994 film Radioland
Murders.
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, as well as the promo video for the band's album In
Utero.
Guest appearances
He has made several guest appearances on talk shows as well as comedy programs including The Ben Stiller Show. On May 9 1994,
Goldthwait appeared on Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which was then
the basis of the plot for his subsequent appearance on The Larry Sanders
Show and later inspired a pseudo-fire safety PSA on MadTV. He was also in the fifth episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast, "Bobcat".
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 Show (1995), Unhappily Ever After
(1995–1999), The Tick (1995), Hercules (1998–1999), and Buzz Lightyear of
Star Command (2000). Goldthwait has also appeared as himself hosting the comedy quiz show Bobcat's Big Ass Show (1998).
Album
Goldthwait released his first comedy album in 1988, entitled Meat Bob. A second album, I Don't Mean to Insult You,
But You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait, was released on Comedy Central Records on
September 23 2003. His film, Windy City Heat, has won a Comedia Award for Best Comedy Film at
Montreal's Just for Laughs Film Festival in 2004.
Personal life
Goldthwait married Ann Luly in 1986 at the age of 24. The couple have two children (now
grown), Tasha and Taylor, and were divorced in May 1998. Goldthwait met his next fiancée,
Nikki Cox, when they co-starred on Unhappily Ever
After in July of 1998. The two were engaged in June of 1999, but as of January of 2005 they were no longer engaged. They parted ways after a 6-year relationship and five
years of engagement.
Goldthwait finished up his final gigs as a stand-up comic in 2005. The official final gig took place in Vegas on September
2005.
The March 28 2005 article of the New York Post announced that Bobcat Goldthwait was the new director of ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live". He has been directing the show since the fall season of 2004. Since joining, ratings for the show increased to over 2 million viewers per night. The numbers have jumped to
50% with teens. In May of 2006, he left to pursue his film career. He maintains contact with Jimmy Kimmel (they're best friends)
and still directs for television and film.
His new girlfriend is longtime friend Sarah de sa Rego, a costume designer and co-producer of Sleeping Dogs Lie.
In the summer of 2007, he went back to Jimmy Kimmel Live directing, only this time he's a segment director.
Other movies
Goldthwait's 3rd and most recent feature 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 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. Goldthwait's film "Stay" was recently bought by Roadside Attractions & Samuel Goldwyn Films at
the 2006 Sundance Film Festival for the North American rights to the film.
Gaumont also bought it for the international rights to the film. The film's U.S. release was on October 20 2006. "Sleeping Dogs Lie" will be released on February 21, 2007
under Gaumont in France - over 250 screens wide. It will also be released in the UK on March 16, 2007 as well.
Filmography
Trivia
- Since 2000, he's directed other segments for shows on Comedy Central including Chappelle's
Show, The Man Show and Strip Mall.
- Bobcat featured in a television promotion for Nirvana's In
Utero album [1], and is also thanked in the album's liner notes.
- Recently between June 9 - June 17 2006, Goldthwait attended the 2006 CineVegas Film Festival. He's also the panelist for the CineVegas "Outlaw Cinema
Panel", which started on June 11. Reviews after this day complemented him as the most talkative and the most interesting
panelist.
- He played "The Sandman" in an episode of children's TV show "Are
You Afraid of the Dark?" entitled "Tale of the Final Wish".
- "Sleeping Dogs Lie" (a.k.a. "Stay") was featured at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival (Canada), the 2006 London
Film Festival (United Kingdom), the 2006 San Sebastian Film Festival (Spain), and the 2006 Austin Film Festival (Austin,
Texas).
- On Hollywood Squares, Goldthwait was asked the question, "What does Michael
Jackson do in his spare time?" and he jokingly replied, "Blows Bubbles." After the show, he was told that he was never to return,
for he was banned - as claimed by Bobcat on his "I Don't Mean to Insult You, But You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait" album.
- Bobcat played a major part in the emergence of the Boston Comedy scene, and is featured in the documentary When Standup Stood Out.
- Played the part of Bert in Mary Poppins while attending St. Matthew's grade
school.
- Directed "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on ABC from 2004 thru 2006.
- Featured in the Twisted Sister videos for the songs Leader Of The Pack and Be Chrool
To Your School, both off the Come Out and Play Album.
- On October 18 2006, Bobcat was interviewed on the comedy
podcast Keith and the Girl.
- "Sleeping Dogs Lie" is more popular in Europe than in the U.S. (i.e. - France & U.K.)
- In the summer of 2007, he went back to Jimmy Kimmel Live directing, only this time he's a segment director.
External links
|
Films directed by Bobcat Goldthwait |
|
|
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
