Bristow has been nominated for a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, a Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Award, and took home a Back Stage West Garland Award for originating the role of Bob in The Breakup Notebook: The Lesbian Musical, which received the prestigious 2006 Ovation Award for World Premiere Musical. His live show, "Stuffed and Unstrung," was also nominated for a Drama Desk award in 2010 in the category of "Unique Theatrical Experience." Bristow is also an alumnus of the Los Angeles landmark Sketch comedy/improv troupe The Groundlings, where he still occasionally performs improvisation comedy. His film work includes Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery as a tour guide at Virtucon, the cult camp-classic Showgirls, So I Married an Axe Murderer, The Longest Yard, The Twilight of the Golds, Jimmy and Judy, Enigma with a Stigma, and Pain & Gain.