Patrick Bristow (born 26 September 1962) is an American actor. Perhaps most recognizable for his bright red hair and for his role as Peter, the gay best-friend of Ellen Morgan on the series Ellen, Patrick is currently a cast member of the Independent Film Channel's critically acclaimed series The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman and has a recurring role on the hit Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody as Patrick, the sarcastic critical man who is in charge of the Tipton Restaurant. He also has a recurring role as a nameless gay member of the PTA on King of the Hill.

Patrick is also currently Stage Show Director and Host for the Jim Henson Company's blank">Puppet Up!, a which combines comedic improvisation with puppetry.

One of the more recognizable character actors working today, Bristow is a veteran of numerous high-profile TV guest-star roles that include (_Seinfeld's "The Wig Master", his recurring role as the machiavellian Troy on Mad About You), and Larry David's choreographer on Curb Your Enthusiasm . He has also shot a pilot in the late 1990s of a show called An American Family that was supposed to be shown on UPN but was never picked up.

Bristow was recently nominated for a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, an LA Stage Alliance Award, and took home a Garland Award for originating the role of Bob in blank">The Breakup Notebook: The Lesbian Musical, which received the prestigious 2006 Ovation Award for World Premiere Musical. Bristow is also an alumnus of the Los Angeles landmark sketch comedy/improv troupe _The Groundlings, where he still occasionally performs.

Film work has included Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery as a tour guide at Virtucom. the cult camp-classic Showgirls, The Longest Yard, Twilight of the Golds, and the independent films Jimmy and Judy and Enigma with a Stigma.

A Los Angeles native, Bristow is the third child of former performers Frank Bristow and Patricia O'Kane and still resides in his hometown with his partner since 1994, Andrew Nicastro, former Director of Global Production for Steven Spielberg's Shoah Foundation.

Played in the same Marching Band as Director Tim Burton.