Top 10 Celebrity Impersonators
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Script written by Q.V. Hough
They're the human embodiments of surrealistic celebs. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Celebrity Impersonators. For this list, we're focusing not on celebrities like Kevin Spacey who impersonate other celebrities – you can see our other list for that – but on the most versatile impressionists who make a living out of such talent.
Special thanks to our user Quincy McDonald for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest
They're the human embodiments of surrealistic celebs. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Celebrity Impersonators. For this list, we're focusing not on celebrities like Kevin Spacey who impersonate other celebrities – you can see our other list for that – but on the most versatile impressionists who make a living out of such talent.
Special thanks to our user Quincy McDonald for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest
Script written by Q.V. Hough
Top 10 Celebrity Impersonators
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They’re the human embodiments of surrealistic celebs. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Celebrity Impersonators. For this list, we’re focusing not on celebrities like Kevin Spacey who impersonate other celebrities – you can see our other list for that – but on the most versatile impressionists who make a living out of such talent.
#10: Will Ferrell
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Beginning his seven-year stint on “Saturday Night Live” in 1995, this California native is probably best known for his George W. Bush impression, in which he captured all the confusion and sometimes confident demeanor of the ex president, but he also stepped into the large pants of one Janet Reno. Whether it’s the deeply annoyed Alex Trebek or highly intellectual James Lipton, Will Ferrell has a way of drawing attention to the smallest of details through nonverbal behavior while accentuating simple lines with exaggerated bravado.
#9: Tina Fey Undoubtedly one of the more brilliant minds to emerge from SNL, here’s an iconic TV star that beautifully captured a specific time and place – and person – with her jaw dropping impersonation of Sarah Palin. Ok, maybe her Robert DeNiro is admittedly weak, yet her collection of Palin performances became must-see TV, even if Tina has long been capable of characterizing a wide selection of “unique” individuals. She’s fun to watch, and sometimes it’s her genuine excitement alone that provides for an extra dose of comedy.
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#8: Jimmy Fallon It all began in the late ‘90s, when this would-be Tonight Show host made an immediate mark on SNL with his Adam Sandler impression. And like any perfectionist or legitimate pro, it’s no big thing for Jimmy Fallon to quickly transform into celebs like Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger or even Donald Trump. During his initial SNL run, he often drew attention for stepping OUT of character, but given his long-standing career behind the desk at NBC, Fallon has demonstrated the essence of not only recognizing the vocal intonations of celebrities, but also the intricacies of how they move.
#7: Bill Hader Born in Oklahoma and birthed into the SNL family in 2005, this guy has a knack for surprising audiences with the most obscure of impressions, which is indeed the sign of a truly innovative mind. Yeah, Bill Hader can do a pretty good Pacino and perhaps he’s at his best with original characters, but how often do you see a dying Tauntaun impression or characterizations of the SNL cast? Well, with Hader, you’ve got a versatile impressionist that doesn’t need a whole lotta subject material to come up with his own bizarre spin.
#6: Kristen Wiig In a culture obsessed with reality stars and celebrities, this woman can easily step into character with a few props, but not many can match her deadpan way of destroying dimwitted individuals. In other words, the Wiig IS watching, and she WILL construct a top-notch impression given the opportunity. With Kristen, it’s more about comedic timing and physical movements rather that perfecting a voice, and when she gets on a roll, she has that Fallon-like charm that allows her to break character every once in a while. She’s the total package, and the embodiment of a classic female impressionist.
#5: Dana Carvey As one half of “Wayne’s World” and a man responsible for setting a high bar at SNL in the late ‘80s and early 90s, Dana Carvey has a way of capturing squirrely white men with tiny heads and strange voices. We’re looking at you, Regis Philbin and Ross Perot, and of course, we can’t forget about the spot-on impressions of Jimmy Stewart and George H.W. Bush. This guy’s routines are so killer that once he left SNL, casual fans would say [editor's note: *snarky voice*) “Saturday Night Live isn’t funny anymore.” And while there might’ve been some truth in that, it’s tough to match the talent of a pro like Dana Carvey.
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#4: Frank Caliendo Now’s here a man that’s become so famous for his John Madden impression that it actually draws some backlash from time to time…call it the Dane Cook Effect. And that’s because Frank Caliendo has left a HUGE mark on the world of celebrity impressionists, originally appearing on MADtv and extending his brand of comedy through innovative characterizations of Charles Barkley and Morgan Freeman. He doesn’t quite have the level of physical comedy like Chris Farley, yet his ability to pinpoint the exact vocal tones of celebrities is far beyond the range of most impressionists.
#3: Rich Little Originally from the Canadian city of Ottawa, here’s an old school comic that may bore some of you Mojoholics with his routines, but only because his subjects are from a distant past. Even so, you gotta give it up for Rich Little’s vast collection of impressions in which he displays a talent for portraying the likes of classic American icons such as John Wayne, Bing Crosby and Orson Welles. And of course, he not only appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” but also played him in “The Late Shift.’ He’s an original gangster of comedy and surely one of the many inspirations for modern impressionists.
#2: Jim Carrey While some celebrity impersonators thrive on a particular set of skills, one man thrives on utilizing every bit of muscle and every squint of the eye. All it takes is one look at Jim Carrey’s photographic personification of James Dean to know that he can pull off pretty much any celebrity, say Clint Eastwood, or Jack Nicholson, even Elvis. This Canadian has a beautifully strange ability to not only transform into others, but also to capture their energy as well. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Ross Marquand Darrell Hammond Jay Pharaoh Kate McKinnon
#1: Robin Williams Well, it’s no misrepresentation to say this icon was a legitimate madman of celebrity impressions. After all, it was the whirlwind nature of Robin Williams’ dynamic presence that played such a pivotal role in his success, but don’t forget about the fundamental brilliance of his routines. At times, he was focused and composed on specific characterizations while he often blazed through impressions before you even got a handle of what was actually happening. And that was the beauty of Robin Williams’ material, and he was a definitive trailblazer in his own right. Do you agree with our list? Who do you think is the best celebrity impersonator? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
