Veteran Comedy Actor Jay Johnston Arrested on Felony Charges in Connection with January 6th

Jay Johnston, a prolific comedian featured in iconic projects such as Mr. Show, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Arrested Development, The Sarah Silverman Program, Bob’s Burgers and many, many more, has been arrested in connection with the January 6th Capitol attack and faces charges of felony obstruction of officers during civil disorder and multiple misdemeanor offenses.

Hours ago, NBC News accessed court documents asserting that Johnston entered the upper-west tunnel of the Capitol, the setting of many of the riot’s most violent attacks, and “assisted at least three other rioters by pouring water on the rioters’ faces” after the group was hit with tear gas before using a stolen U.S. Capitol Police shield to join the rioters’ battle against the police.

Johnston’s presence at the Capitol riot has been known and admitted by Johnston’s representatives since the FBI released a photo showing Johnston in the crowd in March 2021.

In December 2021, Johnston was quietly “banned” from his role as Jimmy Pesto Sr. on Bob’s Burgers, a move that neither Fox nor Johnston would comment on publicly. Johnston is also a known associate of Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes, having appeared on The Gavin McInnes show in 2015, three years before McInnes began distancing himself from the far right neo-fascist organization.

The FBI complaint against Johnston reveals that the actor texted an associate shortly after the attack with the message, “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 is now one of more than 1,000 people to be arrested in connection with the January 6th insurrection.