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Who is Jay Johnston? Actor who voiced Jimmy Pesto on 'Bob's Burgers' stormed Capitol: 'Was kind of a Trump guy'

Spencer Crittenden, an actor who has appeared on shows like ‘Great Minds with Dan Harmon’, ‘Community’, and ‘Rick and Morty’, wrote on Twitter: 'I mean I think that’s him in the pic but even if it wasn’t he was definitely at the protest'

On Thursday, March 4, the Twitter account for the Federal Bureau of Investigation tweeted a photo of one of the rioters from the January 6 insurrection by Donald Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol building. The bureau tweeted, “The #FBI is still seeking information on people who took part in the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. If you know this individual, visit tips.fbi.gov. Refer to photo 247 in your tip.”

The photo accompanying this tweet has many people wondering if this rioter was someone they knew and have seen and heard on television many times. 

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Who is Jay Johnston?

If you have been a fan of ‘Bob’s Burgers’, the American animated sitcom created by Loren Bouchard for the Fox Broadcasting Company, then you know who Jimmy Pesto is. Jimmy, is the owner of Jimmy Pesto's Pizzeria and is Bob's primary business rival. Jimmy is also the father of Jimmy Pesto, Jr, Tina's primary love interest, and twin boys, Andy & Ollie Pesto. Pesto, on the show, is voiced by Jay Johnston.

On the ‘Bob’s Burgers’ Subreddit, a user claimed, sharing a screengrab of the FBI tweet, “Apparently, Jay Johnston (Jimmy Pesto), was one of the Capitol insurrectionists. Spencer Crittenden from Harmontown has confirmed it on his Twitter.”

The 52-year-old actor and comedian is best known for his work as a writer and cast member on the HBO sketch comedy series ‘Mr. Show’, and for playing the role of Officer Jay McPherson on ‘The Sarah Silverman Program’. Johnston has also made guest appearances in a number of television programs such as ‘Arrested Development’, ‘Community’, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, and ‘Parks and Recreation’, as well as appearing in films such as ‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’, and ‘Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny’.

Is it really Johnston in the photo?

Many, on Twitter, seem to be making this claim. Crittenden, an actor who has appeared on shows like ‘Great Minds with Dan Harmon’, ‘Community’, and ‘Rick and Morty’, wrote on Twitter: “I mean I think that’s him in the pic but even if it wasn’t he was definitely at the protest.” American comedian, writer, director, actor, and musician Tim Heidecker, best known as one half of the comedy duo Tim & Eric, along with Eric Wareheim, wrote on Twitter that he had “Fully confirmed through reliable sources” that it was Johnston in the photo. 

 LA-based stand-up comedian Sean O'Connor wrote, “I sincerely regret wishing Jay Johnston was more famous on the Dreamstone from Wonder Woman 1984,” quoting the FBI tweet. One Twitter user said, "Tbh, Jimmy Pesto always felt like he was that kind of Trump guy."

As of yet, it is difficult to claim with any surety if this is really Johnston. Even if other comedians are claiming so, it is speculative at best right now. It is worth noting, however, that on December 28, 2015, Johnston appeared on Proud Boy founder Gavin McInnes’ show.

Among celebrities, Earlier in January, indie musicians Ariel Pink and John Maus, and filmmaker Alex Lee Moyer were seen attending the Trump rally that turned violent on January 6. Moyer’s 2020 documentary film ‘TFW No GF’, which explores the incel culture, has been highly criticized for the implicit bias it shows towards the culture.