Jay and Silent Bob are fictional characters created by filmmaker Kevin Smith. They first appeared in the 1994 film Clerks and have since become iconic figures in Smith's cinematic universe. Jay, played by Jason Mewes, is a loud and brash character, while Silent Bob, portrayed by Kevin Smith himself, is quiet and contemplative. Together, they often find themselves in humorous and absurd situations. The duo is known for their unique friendship and their role as comic relief in various films, including Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and Dogma. They also star in their own films, such as Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, which explore their adventures and misadventures in a quirky, often self-referential style.