Bobcat Goldthwait: ‘There is no cancel culture’

The outspoken comedian, actor and director talks about the state of comedy, his late friend Robin Williams and why Jerry Seinfeld has a problem with him

These days, Bobcat Goldthwait prefers not to do the voice. Anyone who knows his name probably knows that voice, a guttural yowl that makes him sound like a cartoon character being smashed with an oversized mallet. It made the comedian, film-maker and actor a star during his tenure in the Police Academy films back in the 80s, but no one wants to be reduced to a bit, and so he retired the quasi-persona in 2018.

It was a decision I made," Goldthwait tells the Guardian on a phone call from Los Angeles. I went back on the road after directing the Kimmel show, and I wasn't looking forward to it ... The voice didn't suit me. But I know people, they've worked hard all week and that's what they expect, so I probably perpetuated it a little longer than I should have. I was in Nashville, and I actually have footage of me going out for the first time, knowing I just couldn't do the character. I have an OK set, but people in the audience were yelling, Do the voice!' It's my daughter's favorite heckle."