Impressionist Jim Meskimen Does Shakespeare in Celebrity Voices

[quadlink]

wow ... your really really good... i enjoyed your videos... brilliant !

[jimmeskimen]

@quadlink Thanks! I have some more up on my channel which I hope you will enjoy.

[francois081]

WOW! First time that I hear of him. He is good!

[jimmeskimen]

@francois081 Many thanks!

[jimmeskimen]

Many thanks!

[20SpiderPig10]

i find it ironic you picked ricky gervais' voice for the line about being a christian man :)

[jimmeskimen]

@20SpiderPig10 You caught it! Thanks, take a look at my other vids on my channel if you liked this one!

[RIPSAW1986]

The only thing better than this video would be to see all these actors, politicians, and celebs perform together in Richard III. Great job! You couldn't have picked better lines to do as Walken or Clooney!

Also it took me a couple viewings, but I finally realized the connection you wove among the lines as Simon Cowell, American Idol, and "a legion of foul fiends [that] environed me and howled in mine ears such hideous cries." *Very* subtle.

[jimmeskimen]

@RIPSAW1986 Thanks very much!

[jerryjm2]

Would hitler count as an impression?

[jimmeskimen]

@jerryjm2 I don't speak German. But if I did, and wanted to annoy people, then YES.

[C0k3d]

Got chills at Morgan Freeman 0_o

[jimmeskimen]

@C0k3d Take two aspirin, and...

Dumb joke- THANK YOU for commenting! Hope you can see the live show sometime!

[parkerxxxxxx]

Great stuff!

[jimmeskimen]

@parkerxxxxxx So happy you like it! Enjoy the others on my channel!

[bionicborg18900]

@jimmeskimen loved it! Arnold Schwarzenegger and Barack Obama! Good job bro

[ihatecountry777]

that's such a cool special skill to have. I'm a little jealous

[jimmeskimen]

@ihatecountry777 Ah, heck. No need to be jealous. We all have different things we like to do. Thanks for watching. I have a special Valentine's Day one up on my channel which I hope you will enjoy.

[ihatecountry777]

@jimmeskimen haha yeah I'm not really that jealous. I'll check it out

[01mts]

I watched this clip half a dozen times and wondered what Ron Howard was doing in there with all the other celebrities, adn then it struck me: "Happy Days." Jeez is this good.

[jimmeskimen]

@01mts Thanks! And well done on figuring it out!

[gingerlewis97]

@jimmeskimen you are great!! i loved george clooney! and simon cowell was great! all of them where amazing!!! <3 how do you do it???

[jimmeskimen]

@gingerlewis97 thanks! Glad you enjoyed! My answer at my wordpress site, address meskimen

[Shikujiru]

Watched this again recently... yep, still love it, Jim! I've showed it to all my family and friends, and they love it too. We're up here in Chico... it's a bit further north than Sacramento. If you ever make it this far, I believe your act would be VERY well received up here!

[DubShortie]

I think there's some irony in the line that you used for Ricky Gervais... "I'm a Christian man" awesome!

[jimmeskimen]

@DubShortie Yes, Irony is one of my hobbies... Glad you liked it!  Come to the live show sometime!

[lightlord919]

woody allen and johnny carson was great

[jimmeskimen]

@lightlord919 Thanks!

[NostalgicProcrast]

WOW. Woody Allen killed me!

[GothicDemise]

This was great you do an awesome Jack Nicholas and Christopher Walken it was all just brilliant and I like the others enjoyed the skit of Shakespeare with the different voices any plans for florida? gainesville or orlando area?

[jimmeskimen]

@GothicDemise No plans yet! Would love to continue to bring the show around, but I've gotten very busy in Los Angeles... but soon! Thanks for spreading the word! Have you seen the very latest Shakespeare? On my channel page!

[ExosphericalLifeform]

This is far the best imitations i have seen so far!

[dailymuffin]

This was fantastic - not only are the impressions hilarious and brilliant, but you also actually deliver Shakespeare with a great amount of intelligence and understanding. Love love loved it!

[jimmeskimen]

@dailymuffin Thank you very much! I don't claim to be any sort of Shakespeare scholar, but I really enjoy the work I've read and seen... it's a miracle. I appreciate you writing me!

[GuamChris]

Jim, you're awesome. This is absolutely the first time I've *ever* enjoyed Shakespeare. My voice acting instructor played your video for the class and all of us were in stitches! We loved it! Will you be playing Vegas anytime soon? Please tell your mother a longtime fan says hello. I hope she is doing well!

[jimmeskimen]

@GuamChris Had dinner with Marion tonight and she is doing very well, preparing to go to do a play in Toronto soon. I'm so glad you liked my Shakespeare Impressions vid! I might come to Vegas, but no plans yet. I'll try and let you know... have you subscribed? That's a good way to stay in touch. Thanks very much for the nice comment and I hope I get to meet you sometime.

[GuamChris]

@jimmeskimen By the way, I'm glad to hear your mother is doing well. I'm sure her play in Toronto will be a great success.

[CallibLCarver]

Does your show by chance have a dvd?

[jimmeskimen]

@CallibLCarver Yes! My website, at applied silliness has all the info!

[louiscedric]

Incredible ! I'm truly speechless

Greetings from France !

[momusic14]

what an extraordinary talent!

[Iambecome]

i stopped myself from laughing because i wanted to hear everything properly. that was pretty damn good. what a gift to have.

[YesLikeTheMermaid]

So amazing!!!

[obsessedwithhiei]

Jim, if you haven't already, I'd love to hear you do an impression of Hannibal Lecter as played by Anthony Hopkins. Pleeeeaaaase? : )

[jimmeskimen]

@obsessedwithhiei Good idea! Look for it on upcoming videos!  Thanks!

[Cheesethief77]

You can impersonate Morgan Freeman...you are a god.

[Soundboy6]

Wow, this guy is actually really good.

[annajanedrake]

Your work is amazing! Do you have any plans to do any shows in the Chicago area?

[mustluvdogs7]

You're amazing. I want to meet you! Come do a show in New York please!

[jimmeskimen]

@mustluvdogs7 Want to! Lived there ten years and still miss being there! Thanks! If you hear of any opportunities, let me know!

[jimmeskimen]

@mustluvdogs7 I'm very anxious to come back to NYC and do my show somewhere, as soon as I get a venue lined up, I'll tell you... or when I get invited to be on Letterman, which I anticipate very soon. Thanks for the kind words!

[mustluvdogs7]

@jimmeskimen Awesome! I can't wait! :D

[DeereK13]

Christopher Walken was spot on

[tenactbls]

Every time he switched character voices I giggled like a little girl

[dontyouhatepantss]

this guy is the biggest genius ever to walk on the earth.

[CreateOneHere]

Very handsome man was not listening.

[kyuui007]

I will forever love him for 2:21. Read me a story please /. .\

[CelAnimator]

Saw you on Victorious Jim!! Great job, you really surprised me!! :D

[jimmeskimen]

@CelAnimator Surprise! I show up in very random places...

[Terrorizer89]

Nicholson was spot on!

[alwaysnotori0us]

This is incredible. Enough said.

[stopeatingthepizza]

You really need to do Nic Cage.

[CrimsonTide8021]

Morgan Freeman was great. Same with Bush.

[SoupSandwich1775]

Really great stuff! Wanted to hear more Obama though haha. Keep it up you're awesome!

[elinbjorg95]

the jack nicholson is spot on !

[markeagles8008]

outstanding work, great job!! great impressions, great humour (yes that's the correct spelling!), perfect combination. would love to hear what Simon Cowell says about your impression, i think he would like it to too.

[Pivotman1]

1:18 sounded more like Rod Serling to me lol.

[Writersrevengeorigin]

haha i love this one.. I sent it to my Lit professor in college, (an avid lover of Shakespeare) and he liked it so much he showed it to the entire class during our finals!! ahah!! You're so awesome.. well done.. :D

[jimmeskimen]

@Writersrevengeorigin Thank you for passing it along! I'm very pleased to hear it!

[VongolaTredicesimo]

Droopy Dog at 2:12 sounds like Mr Smigh from Peter Pan. =}

[jimmeskimen]

@VongolaTredicesimo TRUE!

[curtisjmarren]

How can you even tell you're getting it? Doesn't your voice sound different to everyone else than it does to you?

[jimmeskimen]

@curtisjmarren i have a lot of familiarity with how my voice sounds from the outside, due to the many, many hours of recordings I have had to listen to for almost 30 years of audio projects... after a while one just knows. Of course, my impressions sound even better to me than to others... but then, I may be my biggest fan. I'm certainly at ever show, haven't missed one yet.

[SuperElchupacabra]

See, I was worried what would happen when Morgan Freeman dies.... Who would narrate with such a voice??? Now I know, it shall be JIM MESKIMEN!!!

[jaydee2739]

pretty awesome

[NariNaraga22]

Wow!!! I wanna see this guy some time!

[jimmeskimen]

@NariNaraga22 Come to The Acting Center in Hollywood! I'll be doing my show on the weekends starting February 17th! TheActingCenterLA is the website.

[Bobbileat]

Applause, Applause! Would love to see you do this with the bard's Falstaff and Dogberry!

[ifihavetoiguess]

Spot on again sir!

[melonmasta]

Did you practice to become this good? Or have you always been able to do this? And if you do practice, how do you do it? Any tips you could share? Iv always been very keen to do impressions, but have no idea how to get good at them!

[raudiobrown]

Much laughing at our house. I love that you chose a speech that ends with a mention of terrible impression(s)! And Obama was a good choice there. I agree with the comment saying the personalities match the text to great effect. It's tempting to use the G-word. No, I wasn't thinking 'gifted,' but that's a good guess. No, not 'genial' either, but we're getting closer...

[jimmeskimen]

@raudiobrown I know, I know, I DO have a kind of goose neck.

[melonmasta]

That was amazing!! I'm sure you have been asked this countless times, but how do you do it? Have you always been able to do that or did you have to practice to do the impressions you do, and if you did, how long did you practice for, and how did you practice? I have been practicing impressions for a few years now, but I just find it mind blowing how you get yours bang on!

[jimmeskimen]

@melonmasta Check out my blog! I've been slowly putting together a book about it: on my meskimen wordpress blog site... can't post the address, but if you go to wordpress and enter my name... well, you might get your answers! Thanks for watching!

[JoeGaudet]

Very big fan of Jim's. I'm an actor/ voice over artist and I'm constantly learning and working on new voices. Jim is one of those RARE talents that is so down to earth and truly LOVES his work and makes this craft seem so easy. If you like his videos, maybe you'll like mine. If not, JIM MESKIMEN is amazing and thank you for your time :-)

[wrenchit2121]

This is impressive, but I'm pretty sure I heard Sheogorath at 1:58.

[ericbishko1981]

fuck the haters. i can do three impressions and thsi guy can do i dont know how many. much respect.

[jimmeskimen]

@ericbishko1981 Thanks for the vote of confidence. For the record, I do an infinity of celebrity voices. Next year, infinity plus SIX.

[omegaka1]

This guy could make a killing and a morgan freeman voice over

[jimmeskimen]

@omegaka1 You are right! I've been doing it for The Tonight Show, Phineas and Ferb, Dave Letterman and others for a few years... lucky to have the work!

[split13]

You love what you do, and you are clearly talented, thats fantastic!! Good stuff!!

[betterthanacid]

That was fantastic. Come to Philly!!

[turbowombat]

That was a perfect William Shatner, didn't overdo it like in Epic Rap Battles of History, got the cadence just right.

[BadUsernameIsBad]

The best George Clooney I have ever heard

[Superdragonmasterotk]

Cool

[Superdragonmasterotk]

Your a fantastic impersonator cool stuff just heard about u today and had to check it out loved it ..keep doing what u do ill keep watching ;)

[jimmeskimen]

@Superdragonmasterotk thanks! Hope you enjoy them all, and all the many ones to come!

[d6wilson2]

Jim, i think my favorite impression is of Jeff Goldbloom, not many people do it, or do a good one, but i don't know why! can you do him? if so, i'd LOVE to hear it. please! i have been watching your vids over and over. crazy talented man.

[alexandholland]

Goodness I've seen a good number of your videos and you nail so many spot on! Awesome work! Love your George Clooney and Robin Williams!

[d6wilson2]

James Earl Jones?



[Salix879]

Excellent! My favorite was George Clooney

[Muzicmyr0ck]

i would love a john goodman impression.

[jimmeskimen]

@Muzicmyr0ck That's a great idea! Hmmmm.... you have me thinking.

[hotsauce3888]

I'm sure everyone has heard countless G.W Bush impressions but that one was number 1 for sure

[jimmeskimen]

@hotsauce3888 Thanks! Did you know I was the singing voice of G.W. Bush in all the Jibjab shorts? 

[Liftinglinguist]

I love impressions and impressionists, you are by far the most accomplished I've ever seen and heard! Wow! Your catalgoue is both varied and spot on, the mannerisms that are often foregone make a big difference, even on pure audio, since they allow the right mindset. I always link each impression with facial expressions and gesticulation to get immersed. You, sir, are fantastic at what you do! And kudos for original delivery through verses and poetry!

[JakeR541]

your harvey keitel is good but can you do Harvey Fierstein?

[Magasta666]

do King Lear next the part when Lear says, "Singe my white head."

[gia303909]

your morgan freeman impression never fails to blow me away (and creep me out!) are you coming to melbourne?

[jimmeskimen]

@gia303909 Man, would LOVE to... just got back from Sydney! Next year!

[beepyou105]

You are the only one that can do a great Morgan Freeman!

[jimmeskimen]

@beepyou105 Well, nice of you to say, but... there are a few of us who specialize in loving tributes to that great, great actor.

[ThatRandomMuffinGirl]

A-MA-ZING

[Meghanxx2727]

Morgan Freemond needs to do Shakespeare right now!!

[smithjohn134]

I swear to god, you actually started to look like the people you were impersonating when you got to morgan freeman

[chrismg222]

Can you do fez from that 70's show?:D



[jameslondon22]

its fun to close your eyes and try to guess which one is which

[youtubedude]

Geez, just when I thought I've seen every viral vid on the tube. Btw, saw you on reelseo ;)

[waynerchris]

OMG George Bush doing Shakespeare!!!

[freddo6791]

Brilliant, you are a gifted man. Keep them coming.

[doylepower13]

you sir, are incredible. simply incredible.

[Baradur10]

Absolutely astonishing impressions. I second rumive's request for Ian Mckellen. Also I think your obama impression needs work.

[Fullerov]

Great impressions. Helping me to learn some great verse.

[jimmeskimen]

@Fullerov I'm glad to inspire you to read and learn Shakespeare!

[Dex443]

I'm English and haven't dabbled in enough movies to pin some of these voices to faces, so naturally I googled each name as they appeared and my goodness! You can really match them that way even without the natural recogntion of each and every voice. Superb! :)

[jimmeskimen]

@Dex443 Thank you! I'm delighted you enjoyed it! There are several other vids on my YouTube channel you might enjoy!

[rumive]

Ian Mckellen please.

preferably Gandalf :3

[MrSapplease]

Fantastic Morgan Freeman impression!

[df2jae]

could you possibly do a how-to video on how you study or even just a few tips? I'd love to improve my impersonations. Thanks! Great job. I look forward to having this type quality.

[theskatmaaan]

@jimmeskimen the morgan freeman and obama impressions were the best.

[jmiller05]

The only one that needs work is Simon Cowell. The rest are stupendous.

[kevycanavan]

How about Shelly Levine?

[bamchikawahwah86]

Morgan Freeman and christopher walken... A+

[garfileld22]

awesome job! :)

[Brogel]

Jesus Christ, meet Jim Meskimen.

[jimmeskimen]

@Brogel thanks for the kind blasphemy. I'm sure you meant it as a compliment to me, not an insult to Jesus.

[formula1update]

Best Morgan Freeman impression ever

[Xsweetheart102086X]

amazing

[MoviesFromG]

Lol! The Morgan Freeman one was one of the best I've heard.

[AlphaBetaEditors]

I've watched this video numerous times, it's gets better and better each time. Awesome stuff!

[thelastteajayell84]

welcome to oz!

[droneforever]

Every time I watch this I have a new favorite - you sir may be the de facto best impressionist I've seen in many, many years. The best is the way the impressions match up to the dialogue, and that's what elevates it from merely "impressionism" to "great comedy".

[jimmeskimen]

@droneforever Thanks very much for the kind words... I will have many more such vids up, so do subscribe if you haven't already and stay tuned! I appreciate your kind words.

[xKing5991x]

morgan freeman beast

[ladysings27629]

i loved the george cloony one

[actor123456789]

Hey, im really picky with impressionists and you're really good!

[greypilgrim26]

I KNOW! - sold ferguson

[djsrob]

The Clooney was genius.

[thetaplace]

Great!

[1033shay]

Loved Harvey Keitel and Deniro, and Walken as Richard III, is just priceless!

[joshuasalt210823]

THAT NICHOLSON I CANT GET OVER THAT NICHOLSON!

[voidbutterflyx6]

Great imppressions! Excellent clooney, freeman, allen!

not so great with cowell and izzard.

[voidbutterflyx6]

Am I the only one that think Simon Cowell is way off? he does not sound like that.

[jaedragon12343]

when he did Morgan Freeman I said WHAAAAAT, he's good.

[rai420han]

Best Impression was Paul Giamatti !! Period !!!

[MrMatrixbadger]

This is scarily good.

[Writerchick17f]

Amazing, just phenomenal! I was blown away! And all the little quirks that each character has is remarkable! Amazing!!!!!

[duckduckgreyduck]

Never seen anyone do a George Clooney impression - awesome! Can you do any celebrity female voices?

[Ashiman12]

Loved your Woody Allen!

[Merjia]

God I would pay so much money to see a Shakespeare play performed by Morgan Freeman. :D

Or entirely by you. That'd be awesome.

[soSUBURBIA]

So you do Peter O'Toole AND Richard Burton? Care to do Becket in it's entirety? ;)

[alifeofreason]

Jack Nicholson reading Shakespeare. So creepy!

[alifeofreason]

2:12-2:35 LOL!

[tp4g]

Incredible... Jim, I really enjoyed Garrison Keillor. I'm an NPR kid from way back so that one had me rolling... You really nail every one...

[farr0222]

love it LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!

[SuperJane99]

Eeeexcellent. I adore Christopher Walken. I could listen to him for hours.

[KlaerR]

One word: BRILLIANT.

[IanFree0007]

Clooney is my favorite. I can't get over it. It's amazing.

[junebug2331]

You have an amazing talent! Thanks for sharing!

[darksorcerermusic]

best was morgan freeman...worst was tha prez and the end

[FtKJ0nn]

wow! absolutely amazing! I love the droopy bit! hahaha

[aussie1981]

Brilliant. I would love to see Impressions of the cast of Curb your Enthusiasm. You would be great impersonating Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Bob Einstein, Ted Danson, Richard Lewis, J.B Smoove....What do you think?

[jimmeskimen]

@aussie1981 Nice challenge! i'll have to study it! Thanks for the suggestion!

[aussie1981]

@jimmeskimen

Hope to see you on Lettermans Impressionist week soon.

You have blown the competition out of the water as far as i'm concerned.