True fans of the Fox adult animated sitcom Bob’s Burgers know Jimmy Pesto is one of the show’s most iconic and memorable characters. His antagonistic demeanor has been a source of comic relief to viewers throughout the show’s run. Interestingly, although Jimmy Pesto isn’t one of Bob’s Burgers’ main characters, he’s listed as one of viewers’ favorite characters.
Bob’s Burgers has aired for 14 seasons since its premiere 13 years ago on January 9, 2011. Bob’s Burgers is centered around the Belcher family, which consists of parents Bob and Linda and their three children, Tina, Gene, and Louise. In addition to their many adventures together, it also focuses on their family-owned and run titular hamburger restaurant, Bob’s Burgers. Here’s more about Jimmy Pesto and his role in Bob’s Burgers.
Jimmy Pesto’s Appearance On Bob’s Burgers
Most of the time, Jimmy Pesto wears a shirt with his sleeves rolled up, especially at his restaurant. He also wears his signature Italian flag design tie and a waist apron. Jimmy wears brown pants and black shoes when the lower part of his body is shown. He has a moustache-less face, thick eyebrows, and a dark-brown pompadour. Although no longer a prominent feature as it used to be, Jimmy Pesto also has a cleft chin. In later episodes, it’s revealed that Jimmy Pesto also wears an Italian flag-designed underpants.
Jimmy Pesto’s Background Story
As a supporting, recurring character, much of Jimmy Pesto’s backstory wasn’t fleshed out. Much of his background is provided throughout the show’s run. Jimmy Pesto is a divorcee whose wife left with his sons, Jimmy Pesto, Jr. (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin), and twins Andy (Laura Silverman) and Ollie Pesto (Sarah Silverman).
It’s shown that he’s generally indifferent towards his children, but it’s not revealed if it’s because of his animosity toward their mother. Jimmy Pesto’s most condescending act towards his sons was berating them in public. He referred to his bartender, Trev (David Herman), as the son he rather had in front of his children. Jimmy Pesto isn’t Bob’s Burgers’ main villain because of his rivalry with the Belchers but his generally unkind nature.
Jimmy Pesto In Bob’s Burgers
Jimmy Pesto’s real name is James Poplopovich, Sr. It is implied he changed his last name to Pesto to seem more Italian because of his business. Jimmy Pesto is famously known as the owner of Jimmy Pesto’s Pizzeria, located across the street from the Belchers’ Bob’s Burgers restaurant. Although they generally sell different pastries, Jimmy Pesto and the Belchers have a longstanding business rivalry that has also become personal.
However, in the true sense of things, Jimmy Pesto’s Pizzeria is more successful than Bob’s Burgers, which the Belchers struggle to keep afloat. Although Jimmy Pesto’s Pizzeria is more successful, Bob Belcher is a far better cook than Jimmy Pesto. A recurring theme with Jimmy Pesto is the constant insults he hauls at the Belchers for fun. He’s often joined by his bartender Trev. With his Pizzeria being more successful than Bob’s Burgers, much of his rivalry with the Belchers stems from knowing the Belchers are a better family than his.
Bob Belcher is a good man, husband, and father; they are a close-knit family. It is something Jimmy Pesto long realized he never had. Besides his comical rivalry with the Belchers, on a personal level, Jimmy Pesto is a sexual deviant. In a few episodes, such as “Sheesh! Cab, Bob?,” it is revealed he has a diaper fetish that makes him patronize drag hookers and the fetish club Desire Dungeon. This is where he got the nickname “Baby Num-Num.” However, despite his antagonistic ways, Jimmy Pesto and Bob sometimes work together for shared interests.
Who Voices Jimmy Pesto In Bob’s Burgers?
Jimmy Pesto’s character has appeared on Bob’s Burger in all of the show’s seasons except seasons 12 and 13. Former actor and comedian Jay Johnston voiced the character for a decade, from season 1 in 2011 to 2021. Johnston was replaced in 2023 by Canadian voice actor Eric Bauza. Jay Johnston was fired from Bob’s Burgers following his participation in the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
Johnston was identified by friends after the FBI tweeted a message with a photo seeking the identity of one of the protesters. Eric Bauza made his debut on Bob’s Burger in season 14, episode 5 (“Bully-ieve It or Not”), which aired on November 5, 2023. If you enjoyed reading about Jimmy Pesto in Bob’s Burgers, read about the top 10 Bob’s Burgers characters.
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