Via Zoom: Actor Jon Barinholtz on New TV Series ‘American Auto’

Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 5, 2022 - 9:21pm

CHICAGO – Jon Barinholtz keeps on rolling. After having wrapped a six season run on NBC-TV’s “Superstore” portraying Marcus, he landed another role – with the same sitcom creator (Justin Spitzer) and network – as car industry executive Westey Payne in “American Auto,” which premiered last month. And all this as he co-created “Chicago Party Aunt” for Netflix.

As opposed to to “Superstore,” where the focus was on the store level employees, “American Auto” is a workplace comedy that takes place in the executive suite. Ana Gasteyer (“Saturday Night Live”) portrays Katherine, a hard charging just-appointed CEO of Payne Motors. Barinholtz as Wesley Payne is part of the family who owns the company, and they interact with put upon VP Sadie (Harriet Dyer), Dori (X Mayo), Cyrus (Michael Benjamin Washington) and newly promoted Jack (Tye White). The quick-witted sitcom takes place as the company is in transition.

Jon Barinholtz (center) and Cast of ‘American Auto’
Photo credit: NBC-TV

Jon Barinholtz is from Chicago, and grew up there with brother Ike Barinholtz, who also is a notable comic actor. Jon followed Ike’s path through the Chicago improvisation scene, and broke in with TV roles including on “Parks and Recreation” and “New Girl.” In 2015, he began as series regular on “Superstore” and is co-creator and voice talent on the animated show “Chicago Party Aunt” (2021) on Netflix.

In an interview Via Zoom with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Jon Barinholtz talks all things “American Auto” and his roots in Chicago …

”American Auto” is on NBC-TV on Tuesdays at 8pmET/7pmCT, and can be streamed on the Peacock Network and NBC.com. Featuring Jon Barinholtz, Ana Gasteyer, Harriet Dyer, Tye White, Michael Benjamin Washington, Humphrey Ker and X Mayo. Created by Justin Spitzer.