In the early days of TV, whenever impressionists were on one of the variety shows, they invariably impersonated the same people (Jimmy Cagney, John Wayne, Cary Grant, etc.), people whose voices were instantly recognizable to movie goers of the period but who would be mostly unrecognizable to most viewers today. So, are there still impressionists around? And whose voices do they impersonate?
I’m surmising, from the few impressionists I’ve seen on late night:
Jay Leno
Jerry Seinfeld
Keanu Reeves
Al Pacino
Robert De Niro
all have distinctive vocal stylings. Plus W was the gift that gave on giving…
Add John Madden and you’ve just summed up the Frank Caliendo show.
Christopher Walken and William Shatner are favorites of the young impressionists, as well.
Robin Williams, Dr. Phil, Andy Rooney. Many impressionists are fond of doing Jack Nicholson. Bill Clinton is also probably still recognized when someone imitates him.
Regis Philbin
Bill Cosby
Oprah
Political figures are always popular:
George W Bush
Barack Obama
Rush Limbaugh
Arnold Schwartzeneiger as well. I remember watching a Last Comic Standing a year or so ago and they just showed comic after comic doing Arnold after Arnold.
Will Sasso had some great ones:
(I didn’t include Kenny Rogers b/c I never got that one - does he really act like that?)
Hm. Those were not “great ones” IMHO. Never seen the man before, but Steven Segal was boring, Tony Soprano was not anything like Tony Soprano and de Niro was five seconds of fun. - The other twos, I don’t know.
Sorry for being sour, but my 2 c.
Then the illusion was perfect!
Have a great weekend!!
One of my favorite impressionists, Bill Hader, does all kinds of different people.
Vincent Price
Buffalo Bill
Daniel Day Louis
Ralph Nader
Just to name a few. He usually commits to the characters fairly well. Absolutely love his impressions.