Jonathan M. Lovitz (born July 21, 1957) is an American actor and comedian perhaps best known as a cast member of Saturday Night Live and the voice of Jay Sherman in The Critic.
His "Saturday Night Live" (1975) character, Master Thespian is an imitation of a professor he had at the University of California-Irvine.
He appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care."
(1979) B.A. from University of California Irvine.
Met Phil Hartman (I) at the Groudlings in 1984. Suggested and encouraged "Saturday Night Live" (1975) creator Lorne Michaels to hire Hartman for the show, telling Lorne, "If you think I'm good, you should see Phil. He's even better!" He and Phil helped each other get acting jobs through the rest of Phil's life.
Encouraged and was supportive with actresses Lisa Kudrow and Maeve Quinlan in pursuing acting careers.
Has a twin sister.
Is a native of Tarzana, California.
Is the only boy of 5 children.
Father was a doctor.
Father loved opera and wished he had pursued a career in it. He encouraged Jon to pursue whatever career he wanted.
Worked various jobs while pursuing an acting career. Was a waiter, worked in a clothing store, was a messenger, worked in a xerox shop, shoe store, as a hospital orderly.
Was in love with a woman older than he when he was a teenager. His heart was broken when this woman married someone else.
Was originally considered for the role of Marcus Burnette in Bad Boys (1995), with Dana Carvey as Mike Lowrey. Director Michael Bay today says it would have ruined their careers.
Hosted the MTV Movie Awards in 1995 along with Courteney Cox.
Had two guest appearances on popular sitcom 'Friends'. His first appearance, as successful restaurant owner with a drug abuse problem and Phoebe's massage client Steve, in Season One was intended to be a one off appearance, but he returned as Steve in Season Nine, set up with Rachel by Phoebe on what was an intentionally torturous blind date, in this appearance it was revealed in the eight years in between his first appearance, Steve had lost his restaurant to his addiction, was now silk screening shirts and had developed low self-esteem due to his weight gain and recent impotence.
Once worked at the New York Renaissance Faire (in Tuxedo, NY) and was almost fired for referring to himself as "the town Jew."
He sang "Well Did You Evah" with British pop star Robbie Williams (I) for Williams' swing album "Swing, When You're Winning" and also starred in Williams' Royal Albert Hall concert performing the same song.
Is actually credited as the Author of the yellow pages. They even went as far to put a about the author page inside the book.
Began acting in plays in high school.
