Hollywood star Jay Johnston has been arrested by the FBI for his alleged participation in the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol. Johnston is a well-respected member of Hollywood’s alternative comedy scene.
He is best known for his work on HBO’s Mr. Show and for voicing a pizzeria owner on Fox’s Bob Burgers. Johnston was hit with four counts by the Department of Justice. He was arrested Wednesday in Los Angeles.
The charges include civil disorder, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings.
The FBI said: “The FBI has interviewed three current or former associates of Johnston, all of whom identified Johnston as the individual in the above photographs of 247-AFO.
“One of these associates provided the FBI with a text message in which Johnston acknowledged being at the Capitol on January 6, stating ‘The news has presented it as an attack. It actually wasn’t. Thought it kind of turned into that. It was a mess. Got maced and tear gassed and I found it quite untastic.’”
Johnston was born in Chicago. He is a Second City alum.
Johnston appeared on The Sarah Silverman Program, playing Officer Jay McPherson on Comedy Central from 2007 to 2010.
He also had a recurring role on Arrested Development.
He appeared as a pastor in the Netflix series Love and appeared in “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.”
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 https://t.co/iL7sD5efWD. Refer to photo 247 in your tip. pic.twitter.com/CetMHzU190
— FBI (@FBI) March 4, 2021
NEW: Jay Johnston — of Mr. Show, Arrested Development, The Sarah Silverman Show, Bob’s Burger’s, and Anchorman fame — has been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. https://t.co/HdHbVwISOk
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) June 7, 2023
‘Bob’s Burgers’ Star Jay Johnston Charged by DOJ for Storming U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 https://t.co/HkjCImlQ54
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 7, 2023
