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Jay Johnston

Jay Johnston

Actor and writer, also director and producer · Born October 22, 1968 (58) · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Jay Johnston (born October 22, 1968) is an American actor and comedian 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. On October 28, 2024, Johnston, who was arrested in 2023 for his participation in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, pled guilty to a felony offense of obstructing officers during a civil disorder in July. As a result, Johnston has been sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 22, 1968 (58)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor and writer, also director and producer
Titles
39 on MovieCove · 53 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 65 days to Oct 28Down 33% in 30 days

What are Jay Johnston's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
27%
Morality
21%
Bonds
19%
Ideas
12%
Survival
10%
Society
8%
Power
3%
Identity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
2 of 3
Shadow
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
10
Manic
6
Joyful
4
Tense
2
Warm
2
Other
3

How their films linger

Fun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Bittersweet1
  • Ambiguous5
  • Cyclical4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Jay Johnston's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 39 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jay Johnston's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

53 credits, 39 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Something About Her (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as George

  • Momma Named Me Sheriff(2019)

    Show 9 episodes · as Stanley Goodman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Animals.(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Ad Man 4

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • W/Bob and David(2015)

    Show 5 episodes · Writer · as Various Characters

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Hell and Back(2015)

    as Rick (voice)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Trevor Moore: High in Church(2015)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Better Call Saul(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Don Wachtell

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Mr. Pickles(2013)

    Show 31 episodes · as Mr. Goodman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Rick and Morty(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Coldstone Creamery Employee (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Anger Management(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Rodney

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all shows

  • Demoted(2011)

    as Kline

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Bob's Burgers(2011)

    Show 41 episodes · as Jimmy Pesto (voice)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Mary Shelley's Frankenhole(2010)

    Show 9 episodes · as Stewart Lawrence (voice)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Modern Family(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Carl

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Community(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Police Officer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Parks and Recreation(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Ranger

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Childrens Hospital(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Beach-House

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Red Sandwich Christmas Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Jasper Beltsmell

  • Human Giant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Whale Trainer

  • The Sarah Silverman Program.(2007)

    Show 32 episodes · as Officer Jay McPherson

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny(2006)

    as Gang Member

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • American Misfits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Lovespring International(2006)

    Show as Carl Jason

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Moral Orel(2005)

    Show 43 episodes · Director · Producer · Writer · as Coach Stopframe / Miss Censordoll / Sal Figurelli (voice)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Dirty Love(2005)

    as Waiter

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Nerd Hunter 3004 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Computer Nerd

  • Wake Up, Ron Burgundy(2004)

    as Eyewitness News Member

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy(2004)

    as Eyewitness News Member

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Arrested Development(2003)

    Show 10 episodes · as Officer Taylor

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Reno 911! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Agent Penrose · as FBI Agent

  • Brainwarp(2003)

    as Guy Suave

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Cedric the Entertainer Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 22 episodes · Actor

  • The Master of Disguise(2002)

    as Rex

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Men in Black II(2002)

    as Agent

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Not Another Teen Movie(2001)

    as Roadie

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Next Caller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Next! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Hollywood Palms(2001)

    as Young Cop

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • DAG (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Chainsaw

  • The Independent(2000)

    as Soldier

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Desperate But Not Serious(1999)

    as Mustachioed Cop

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeremy

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Hype (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 3 episodes · Writer

  • Malcolm in the Middle(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Ed

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Bicentennial Man(1999)

    as Charles

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Jack Frost(1998)

    as TV Weatherman

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Show and the Incredible, Fantastical News Report (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Writer

  • Two Guys and a Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Cab Driver

  • Tenacious D(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as FBI Agent

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Just Shoot Me!(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Exterminator

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Skins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Big John

  • Mr. Show with Bob and David(1995)

    Show 30 episodes · Writer · as Various

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Ellen(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Transition Guy

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 52 titles from 1994 to 2021; peak year 1998.

Highest rated

Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

The Sarah Silverman Program. (2007)

Film career

19942021

Peak 1998 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting50 of 52: 47 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score57thDirecting1 of 52: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting5 of 52: 2 only writing, 3 with another roleProducing1 of 52: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

52 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1990s9 · 8 acting · 2 crew2000s30 · 29 acting · 2 crew2010s12 · 12 acting · 1 crew2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 18th · top billed in 0% of 9 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

Is Jay Johnston's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Profanity3 titlesmedian 58 · moderateMedian of all films: 36

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Jay Johnston work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jay Johnston's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Keith Crofford shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers

Mixed roles