Please Rewind Talent Wall

Bobby Slayton

Bobby Slayton is an American actor and stand-up comedian whose forceful delivery and distinctive gravelly voice make him easy to recognize. Born in New York City on May 25, 1955, he developed an intense comic style built from complaints, insults and personal storytelling. That confrontational energy has carried naturally into his screen appearances, particularly when a part calls for someone who can command a scene without smoothing away the rough edges. Slayton played television comedian Don McLean in Tim Burton’s Ed Wood and appeared in Get Shorty as a casino manager who asks John Travolta’s Chili Palmer to track down a player behind on his payments. In the 1998 movie The Rat Pack, he took on the role of Joey Bishop. He later played a character named simply Slayton in The Mind of the Married Man, while his appearance as himself on IFC’s Maron in 2013 placed his established comedy persona directly into the show. His voice has also found a home in animation, with voiceover work on Family Guy and Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. Beyond acting, Slayton has appeared on television programs including The Tonight Show, Politically Incorrect and Comic Relief, as well as in his own HBO stand-up special. His radio appearances have included Howard Stern, Kevin and Bean, Tom Leykis, and Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw. Across those roles and appearances, Slayton’s appeal comes from consistency: the gravelly voice, tightly wound delivery and willingness to lean into irritation are not incidental details but central parts of his presence. Whether playing a comedian, a casino manager, Joey Bishop or a version of himself, he brings the same unmistakably hard-edged comic rhythm to the screen.