Robert Francis 'Bobcat' Goldthwait (born May 26, 1962) is an American comedian. He is most widely known for his high pitch voice during his comedy acts.

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 and classmate Tom Kenny performed in a comedy duo, billing themselves as "Bobcat and Tomcat". Goldthwait became recognized as a solo stand-up comedian and had three televised concert specials in the 1980s: Bob Goldthwait - Is He Like That All the Time?, An Evening with Bobcat Goldthwait - Share the Warmth and Meat Bob.

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 and his other big role was in the 1987 comedy film Burglar with Whoopi Goldberg. In 1992, he wrote, directed, and starred in the movie Shakes the Clown.

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.

He has made several guest appearances on talk shows as well as comedy programs including The Ben Stiller Show. On May 9, 1994, he made a controversial appearance on Tonight Show with Jay Leno where on impulse he set a couch on fire. This incident was then the basis of the plot for his subsequent appearance on The Larry Sanders Show.

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), Hercules (1998-9), and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000). He has also appeared as himself hosting the comedy quiz show Bobcat's Big Ass Show (1998).

Goldthwait has one comedy album in stores, "I Don't Mean to Insult You, But You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait", 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.

He married Ann Luly in 1986 at the age of 24. The couple have two children (now grown), Tasha and Taylor, and divorced in May 1998. Goldthwait met his fiancée, Nikki Cox, when they co-starred on Unhappily Ever After in July 1998, but they were no longer engaged as of January 2005.

The March 28, 2005 article of the New York Post announces that Bobcat Goldthwait is the new director of ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live". He has been directing the show since the Fall season of 2004. Since joining, the ratings went up to about 2 million viewers a night or more. The numbers have jumped up to 50% with tough-to-attract teens. In May of 2006, he left to pursue his film career as a filmmaker/director.

Goldthwait's new feature, Sleeping Dogs Lie (formally Stay), starring Melinda Page Hamilton is in the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and it is 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 is also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the "Dramatic Features" category. Sleeping Dogs Lie was recently bought (as a mid-six figure deal) for distribution by Roadside Attractions & Samuel Goldwyn Films at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival for the North American Rights to the film. A French film company called Gaumont bought it for the international rights to the film in France. Tartan Films, a UK-based production company, also bought it for international rights in United Kingdom. The film will be released in the US on October 20, 2006.


During his May 9, 1994 appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992), he poured lighter fluid on his chair and set it on fire. Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 186-187. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387. He's a longtime childhood friend of "Spongebob Squarepants" voice talent Tom Kenny. He attended Bishop Grimes High School in East Syracuse, graduating with voice actor Tom Kenny, who is best known for his work on "SpongeBob SquarePants" (1999). Goldthwait & Kenny were in the class of 1980. Goldthwait's film Stay (2006) 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. Recently between June 9 - 17, 2006, Goldthwait attended the 2006 CineVegas Film Festival. He's also the panelist for the CineVegas "Outlaw Cinema Panel", which started on June 11th. Reviews after this day complemented him as the most talkative and the most interesting panelist. "Sleeping Dogs Lie" (a.k.a. Stay (2006)) is in the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival (Canada), London Film Festival (United Kingdom), San Sebastian Film Festival (Spain).