From a talking cat to a mall cop, the versatile career of Nick Bakay
In short: Nick Bakay is a multifaceted talent whose career spans from voicing iconic animated characters to writing blockbuster comedies. Born in Buffalo and educated at Kenyon College, he has navigated the worlds of sitcom production, sports commentary, and sketch comedy, leaving a distinct mark on American television and film for decades.
Born on October 8, 1959, in Buffalo, New York, Nick Bakay began his professional journey in the world of comedy. Early in his career, he contributed storylines to the Evil Clown Comics series in National Lampoon and served as a writer for the sketch program In Living Color between 1993 and 1994. During this time, he also performed as the presenter of a fictional game show segment titled The Dirty Dozens. His work at Comedy Central included writing and appearing on various programs, such as Night After Night with Allan Havey and Sports Monster.
Bakay is perhaps best recognized for his voice acting, most notably as the sarcastic feline Salem Saberhagen in Sabrina the Teenage Witch and its animated counterpart. He also provided the voice for Norbert in The Angry Beavers. Beyond voice work, he has maintained a prolific presence in sitcom production. He served as a producer and writer for The King of Queens starting in 2000, and later held producing roles on the Fox comedy 'Til Death and the CBS series Mom, where he also voiced a recurring radio announcer.
His creative partnership with Kevin James led to the writing of the films Paul Blart: Mall Cop in 2009 and its 2015 sequel. Bakay’s interests extend deeply into sports; he writes a weekly column for NFL.com and frequently appears on ESPN and NFL Network programs. His diverse resume also includes numerous guest-starring roles on shows like Seinfeld, Ellen, and That '70s Show. Married to his wife Robin since February 1994, Bakay continues to reside in the Hollywood Hills, having previously sold his West Hollywood residence for $2 million in 2009.
Throughout his career, Bakay has demonstrated a unique ability to pivot between genres. Whether he is crafting scripts for hit sitcoms, providing the voice for an aspiring world-conquering witch, or analyzing professional football, his work remains a staple of the American entertainment landscape. His 2006 project, The Adventures of Baxter and McGuire, even earned an Emmy nomination for Best Broadband Comedy, underscoring his adaptability in an evolving media environment.
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