Canton’s Bill Burr adds some comedic Boston flavor to ‘Unfrosted,’ Jerry Seinfeld’s toast to Pop-Tarts.

By Dana Barbuto/Boston Movie News

Canton native and die-hard Red Sox fan Bill Burr pops off as former President John F. Kennedy in “Unfrosted,” which tells the story of the controversial beginnings of the Pop-Tart, the beloved fruit-filled toaster treat. 

Jerry Seinfeld directs, co-writes, and stars in the new film. Along with Burr, the movie features a roster of top comedians and actors, including Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, and following up his turn as an Oompa Loompa in in “Wonka,” Hugh Grant, plays Kellogg’s mascot Tony the Tiger. 

Bill Burr, shown in a scene from his comedy special "Paper Tiger," is an actor and comedian from Canton. (Netflix photo)
Bill Burr, shown in a scene from his comedy special “Paper Tiger,” is an actor and comedian from Canton. (Netflix photo)

“Unfrosted” draws its inspiration from the true-life rivalry between Kellogg’s and Post, a narrative that finds its roots in an old Seinfeld routine about Pop-Tarts. The precise integration of JFK into Seinfeld’s quirky take on the breakfast pastry’s origins remains to be fully unveiled, yet glimpses in the trailer reveal a scene in the Oval Office where the 35th president scrutinizes the scribbled design of the Pop-Tart.

“What are you guys, 5 years old?” JFK asks, with Burr putting his Boston accent on full display. “Little John-John draws better than that.”

“Unfrosted” also stars Boston native John Slattery, Peter Dinklage, Christian Slater, James Marsden, Fred Armisen, Tony Hale, Max Greenfield, and Jon Hamm.

Burr, 55, is a 1987 graduate of Canton High School and the first standup comedian to perform at Fenway Park. Burr recently made his feature film directorial debut with the Netflix comedy “Old Dads.” In addition to doing standup and the popular “Monday Morning Podcast,” Burr has appeared in the hit television shows “Breaking Bad,” “The Mandalorian,” “New Girl,” and “Reservation Dogs.” His film credits include “Stand Up Guys,” “Date Night,” “The Front Runner” and “The Heat.” He earned critical acclaim for his turn as a New York firefighter in Pete Davidson’s “King of Staten Island.”  

“Unfrosted” joins Prime Video’s “Air,” directed by and co-starring Boston’s Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, and Hulu’s “Flamin’ Hot” and “Blackberry,” in the trendy subgenre of corporate origin stories. It will stream on Netflix on May 3. 

For more about the battle for breakfast supremacy between Kellogs and Post, check out the season four opener, “Breakfast that Pops,” of the History Channel’s “The Food That Built America” series.