Top 20 Hilarious Impressions Done by Celebrities
celebrity, comedy, interview, late night,
Script written by Spencer Sher
For this list, we’re looking at the best, most memorable, random, or unexpected impersonations and impressions performed by celebrities or other famous people. We’ve excluded impressions that are regularly performed on “SNL,” like Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, as well as celebrities who are known for their impressions like Jim Carrey and Frank Caliendo.
We don’t know what’s more impressive, the fact that Tom Hiddleston can recite the pivotal diner scene between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro from the 1995 crime film “Heat” from memory, or the fact that he straight-up becomes both men in the process. With De Niro sitting right there next to him, Hiddleston can’t hide behind the camera. Thankfully, his impression garnered a round of applause from the legendary actor… and it’s easy to see why.
With the amount of time these two celebs spend together, it’s no wonder they’ve picked up on each other’s mannerisms. Timberlake stopped by “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” in 2013 to promote his album “The 20/20 Experience” and managed to impress the audience with his impression of the late night host. Despite Fallon’s claims that it’s gotten worse over the years, Timberlake is clearly dialed into his friend’s movements, particularly when he gets frustrated.
In an interview with English DJ Tim Westwood, Drake refused to let the host’s posing and purple shirt distract him and proceeded to deliver a top-notch impression of Lil Wayne, aka Weezy aka Shrimp Daddy. With a throaty pitch, Drizzy knocked it out of the park with his label mate’s comedic yet serious demeanor and made sure that it was all in good fun. Westwood maintained an intensely engaged presence, thus allowing his guest more freedom to hilariously clown on his good pal.
Anne Hathaway visited “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in 2019 to promote her film “Serenity,” in which she stars opposite everyone’s favorite shirtless Texan, Matthew McConaughey. Having spent a considerable amount of time with the actor, Hathaway managed to pick up on some of his unique verbal and physical habits. While her inflexion leaves something to be desired, the way she stares off into the distance while waxing poetic about football proves she has the McConaughey spirit in her.
When you work side by side with someone for multiple years, it’s only natural that you’ll pick up on how they walk, talk, and act. This is doubly true for actors; whose job literally requires them to become someone else. This allowed Julie Bowen to learn how to mimic her “Modern Family” co-star Sofia Vergara so well, it’s kind of scary. Bowen’s Vergara impression is spot-on, and her willingness to bust it out when her colleague is present is a testament to their friendship.
According to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the best way to get chummy with Arnold Schwarzenegger is to perfect your impression of him. The film star and one-time Governor of California has one of the most unique voices in the business, which means everyone and their grandmother has come out with their version of it at one point or another. The Rock’s version involves a lot of mumbling, but generally gets the point across.
During a visit to “The Graham Norton Show” to promote “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”, Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate both tried their hand at impersonating their co-star Harrison Ford. While Applegate’s impression is more of a playful caricature, Ferrell fully commits to the bit, doing an impressive job of capturing Ford’s curmudgeonly demeanor. Ferrell even does a decent job of getting Ford’s voice right, much to the delight of the crowd.
So, apparently Denzel Washington can do it all. During a visit to “The Queen Latifah Show” in 2014, the two-time Oscar winner discussed his friendship with Jay-Z, even mentioning how he gifted Jiggaman a few lyrics while the two were in the studio one time. Of course, the best part of the interview is when Washington seamlessly slips into an impersonation of Hova, complete with childish giggles and a version of the rapper’s unmistakable way of speaking.
Some impressions are so good, they’re scary. Take Anna Kendrick’s Kristen Stewart. During an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Kendrick transformed into the “Twilight” star, perfectly capturing her awkward mannerisms and nervous speaking style. What really sells this one is the uncanny way Kendrick manipulates her lips to look more like her subject. Kendrick claims that she’s done the impression for Stewart and that the actress admitted it was on point. Honestly, once Kendrick starts her impression, it’s easy to forget that she isn’t Kristen Stewart.
Everyone has a Christopher Walken impression and it’s easy to understand why. With its unique cadence and fluctuating pitch, Walken’s inflexion is unlike any other. While many have replicated the actor’s manner of speech, including Xref Bradley Cooper, few knock it out of the park quite like Jay Mohr. The comedian doesn’t impersonate Walken, he becomes Walken. When Mohr sat down with ESPN prior to Super Bowl XLV, he leapt at the opportunity to show off his Walken and absolutely nailed it!
While this “Big Bang Theory” star has a slew of top-notch celebrity impressions in his repertoire, his Nic Cage is on a whole other level. During a visit to the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Helberg busted out the ultimate party trick. For a brief moment, Simon Helberg ceases to exist and the world is temporarily populated with not one, but two Nicolas Cages. From the way he tenses up his body, to the nasally voice and dramatic outburst, Helberg has clearly practiced this one in front of a mirror.
When you get two celebs with as much combined charisma as these to impersonate each other, the results are going to be hilarious. In 2016, LADbible got Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart to participate in a little role reversal, with both actors choosing to go completely over-the-top in their impersonations of the other. Johnson and Hart have a ball, giggling like a couple of schoolboys at each other’s parodies. We think it’s safe to say that this one is a tie.
Wheel of Musical Impressions is a recurring segment on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” that requires guests to impersonate a random singer to the tune of a random song. Each of Jamie Foxx’s impressions are hilarious, but his version of John Legend singing the Toys “R” Us jingle is truly a sight to behold. Foxx commits completely, dropping his voice an octave or two in order to sound more like the Grammy-winning singer. Don’t look now, but we think Toys “R” Us just found their newest spokesman!
As if we needed another reason to love this immensely talented British actor, here comes a clip of him busting out a trio of spot-on impressions. Cumberbatch kicks things off with an Alan Rickman impersonation – no easy feat – and knocks it out of the park. He then seamlessly transitions into David Tennant for a moment before finishing things off with an impersonation of the man sitting next to him, host Jonathan Ross. Talk about a chameleon!
What kind of imagery does the name “Matthew McConaughey” inspire? Well, you’re probably thinking bongos, shirtless summer days, and long stares into the night’s sky. During numerous appearances on the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Matt Damon proved capable of combining the essentials for a solid McConaughey impression while demonstrating a masterful command of his fellow actor’s vocal registry. You might say the collective performances are a “How-To” for any aspiring McConaughey impressionist. Engage the audience, reference Texas and always… ALWAYS… talk about taking your shirt off. Practice makes perfect.
Some of our greatest actors have the strangest of voices, including the swashbuckling Owen Wilson. He doesn’t exactly utilize his entire mouth when speaking, or talk from deep within, but rather communicates from one central region with a hushed tone. Bradley Cooper superbly demonstrated this vocal style of speech on “Inside the Actors Studio” in a short yet remarkable impression. Owen Wilson doesn’t speak long sentences – it’s always a rat-a-tat-tat delivery and Cooper simply killed it.
It’s always a special moment when a comedic actor impersonates a friend, and Alec Baldwin brought the goods for his Tracy Morgan impression on “Conan.” First, Baldwin set the stage with rich descriptions of an early morning memory, as an exhausted Morgan admired the performance skills of the Jackson 5. Although Baldwin’s impression was brief, it highlighted the hard emphasis on a single word and Tracy’s refusal to acknowledge when he forgot his lines. Bravo, Mr. Baldwin – though we can’t forget about (xref) Tina Fey’s equally hilarious impression either!
Here’s another Owen Wilson impression, but with a twist. While appearing at the Australian film festival, Popcorn Taxi, Tom Hiddleston was asked to deliver his fantastic take on Owen Wilson’s voice, but as the Marvel character Loki. After a few self-empowering words, Hiddleston accepted the challenge and warped into the bumbling actor. While the vocal impression isn’t as refined as Bradley Cooper’s take, the overall mannerisms conveyed a man highly dedicated to the craft of personal mockery.
In her first talking appearance on a late night talk show, the former “Victorious” star briefly played “nervous” before grabbing the mic and nailing one of the finest impressions ever seen on late night television. Guided by the husky baritone vocals of Jimmy Fallon, Ariana Grande closed her eyes and let the spirit of Celine Dion fill her soul. And by that, we mean she exaggerated each and every lyric with creative mumbo jumbo. This impression is all about the ad libs, and Ms. Grande stunned millions by achieving the French-Canadian’s unique tone. As the cherry on top, Ariana spoke to the audience in character and closed with a soft chest-thump.
Ah, the Wheel of Musical Impressions – the highly contrived “Tonight Show” segment designed to make viewers believe everything is random. Even so, it’s a fantastic bit that allows guests to showcase their hidden talents. When Christina Aguilera appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s show, she interpreted the distinct voice of Cher before singing “This Little Piggy” as former “Mickey Mouse Club” castmate, Britney Spears, and well, it was breathtaking. Meaning, Aguilera sucked out every breath and took her time finding the otherworldly pitch of “The Princess of Pop.” Seems like Xtina’s got a thing for impressions – just check out some more of her celebrity impersonations – including another one of Cher and BritBrit for a digital exclusive for “The Voice.”
Top 20 Hilarious Impressions Done By Celebrities
Try not to laugh. We dare you. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Hilarious Impressions Done by Celebrities.For this list, we’re looking at the best, most memorable, random, or unexpected impersonations and impressions performed by celebrities or other famous people. We’ve excluded impressions that are regularly performed on “SNL,” like Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, as well as celebrities who are known for their impressions like Jim Carrey and Frank Caliendo.
#20: Tom Hiddleston as Al Pacino & Robert De Niro
We don’t know what’s more impressive, the fact that Tom Hiddleston can recite the pivotal diner scene between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro from the 1995 crime film “Heat” from memory, or the fact that he straight-up becomes both men in the process. With De Niro sitting right there next to him, Hiddleston can’t hide behind the camera. Thankfully, his impression garnered a round of applause from the legendary actor… and it’s easy to see why.
#19: Justin Timberlake as Jimmy Fallon
With the amount of time these two celebs spend together, it’s no wonder they’ve picked up on each other’s mannerisms. Timberlake stopped by “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” in 2013 to promote his album “The 20/20 Experience” and managed to impress the audience with his impression of the late night host. Despite Fallon’s claims that it’s gotten worse over the years, Timberlake is clearly dialed into his friend’s movements, particularly when he gets frustrated.
#18: Drake as Lil Wayne
In an interview with English DJ Tim Westwood, Drake refused to let the host’s posing and purple shirt distract him and proceeded to deliver a top-notch impression of Lil Wayne, aka Weezy aka Shrimp Daddy. With a throaty pitch, Drizzy knocked it out of the park with his label mate’s comedic yet serious demeanor and made sure that it was all in good fun. Westwood maintained an intensely engaged presence, thus allowing his guest more freedom to hilariously clown on his good pal.
#17: Anne Hathaway as Matthew McConaughey
Anne Hathaway visited “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in 2019 to promote her film “Serenity,” in which she stars opposite everyone’s favorite shirtless Texan, Matthew McConaughey. Having spent a considerable amount of time with the actor, Hathaway managed to pick up on some of his unique verbal and physical habits. While her inflexion leaves something to be desired, the way she stares off into the distance while waxing poetic about football proves she has the McConaughey spirit in her.
#16: Julie Bowen as Sofia Vergara
When you work side by side with someone for multiple years, it’s only natural that you’ll pick up on how they walk, talk, and act. This is doubly true for actors; whose job literally requires them to become someone else. This allowed Julie Bowen to learn how to mimic her “Modern Family” co-star Sofia Vergara so well, it’s kind of scary. Bowen’s Vergara impression is spot-on, and her willingness to bust it out when her colleague is present is a testament to their friendship.
#15: Dwayne Johnson as Arnold Schwarzenegger
According to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the best way to get chummy with Arnold Schwarzenegger is to perfect your impression of him. The film star and one-time Governor of California has one of the most unique voices in the business, which means everyone and their grandmother has come out with their version of it at one point or another. The Rock’s version involves a lot of mumbling, but generally gets the point across.
#14: Will Ferrell as Harrison Ford
During a visit to “The Graham Norton Show” to promote “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”, Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate both tried their hand at impersonating their co-star Harrison Ford. While Applegate’s impression is more of a playful caricature, Ferrell fully commits to the bit, doing an impressive job of capturing Ford’s curmudgeonly demeanor. Ferrell even does a decent job of getting Ford’s voice right, much to the delight of the crowd.
#13: Denzel Washington as Jay-Z
So, apparently Denzel Washington can do it all. During a visit to “The Queen Latifah Show” in 2014, the two-time Oscar winner discussed his friendship with Jay-Z, even mentioning how he gifted Jiggaman a few lyrics while the two were in the studio one time. Of course, the best part of the interview is when Washington seamlessly slips into an impersonation of Hova, complete with childish giggles and a version of the rapper’s unmistakable way of speaking.
#12: Anna Kendrick as Kristen Stewart
Some impressions are so good, they’re scary. Take Anna Kendrick’s Kristen Stewart. During an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Kendrick transformed into the “Twilight” star, perfectly capturing her awkward mannerisms and nervous speaking style. What really sells this one is the uncanny way Kendrick manipulates her lips to look more like her subject. Kendrick claims that she’s done the impression for Stewart and that the actress admitted it was on point. Honestly, once Kendrick starts her impression, it’s easy to forget that she isn’t Kristen Stewart.
#11: Jay Mohr as Christopher Walken
Everyone has a Christopher Walken impression and it’s easy to understand why. With its unique cadence and fluctuating pitch, Walken’s inflexion is unlike any other. While many have replicated the actor’s manner of speech, including Xref Bradley Cooper, few knock it out of the park quite like Jay Mohr. The comedian doesn’t impersonate Walken, he becomes Walken. When Mohr sat down with ESPN prior to Super Bowl XLV, he leapt at the opportunity to show off his Walken and absolutely nailed it!
#10: Simon Helberg as Nicolas Cage
While this “Big Bang Theory” star has a slew of top-notch celebrity impressions in his repertoire, his Nic Cage is on a whole other level. During a visit to the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Helberg busted out the ultimate party trick. For a brief moment, Simon Helberg ceases to exist and the world is temporarily populated with not one, but two Nicolas Cages. From the way he tenses up his body, to the nasally voice and dramatic outburst, Helberg has clearly practiced this one in front of a mirror.
#9: Dwayne Johnson as Kevin Hart & Kevin Hart as Dwayne Johnson
When you get two celebs with as much combined charisma as these to impersonate each other, the results are going to be hilarious. In 2016, LADbible got Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart to participate in a little role reversal, with both actors choosing to go completely over-the-top in their impersonations of the other. Johnson and Hart have a ball, giggling like a couple of schoolboys at each other’s parodies. We think it’s safe to say that this one is a tie.
#8: Jamie Foxx as John Legend
Wheel of Musical Impressions is a recurring segment on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” that requires guests to impersonate a random singer to the tune of a random song. Each of Jamie Foxx’s impressions are hilarious, but his version of John Legend singing the Toys “R” Us jingle is truly a sight to behold. Foxx commits completely, dropping his voice an octave or two in order to sound more like the Grammy-winning singer. Don’t look now, but we think Toys “R” Us just found their newest spokesman!
#7: Benedict Cumberbatch as Multiple Celebrities
As if we needed another reason to love this immensely talented British actor, here comes a clip of him busting out a trio of spot-on impressions. Cumberbatch kicks things off with an Alan Rickman impersonation – no easy feat – and knocks it out of the park. He then seamlessly transitions into David Tennant for a moment before finishing things off with an impersonation of the man sitting next to him, host Jonathan Ross. Talk about a chameleon!
#6: Matt Damon as Matthew McConaughey
What kind of imagery does the name “Matthew McConaughey” inspire? Well, you’re probably thinking bongos, shirtless summer days, and long stares into the night’s sky. During numerous appearances on the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Matt Damon proved capable of combining the essentials for a solid McConaughey impression while demonstrating a masterful command of his fellow actor’s vocal registry. You might say the collective performances are a “How-To” for any aspiring McConaughey impressionist. Engage the audience, reference Texas and always… ALWAYS… talk about taking your shirt off. Practice makes perfect.
#5: Bradley Cooper as Owen Wilson
Some of our greatest actors have the strangest of voices, including the swashbuckling Owen Wilson. He doesn’t exactly utilize his entire mouth when speaking, or talk from deep within, but rather communicates from one central region with a hushed tone. Bradley Cooper superbly demonstrated this vocal style of speech on “Inside the Actors Studio” in a short yet remarkable impression. Owen Wilson doesn’t speak long sentences – it’s always a rat-a-tat-tat delivery and Cooper simply killed it.
#4: Alec Baldwin as Tracy Morgan
It’s always a special moment when a comedic actor impersonates a friend, and Alec Baldwin brought the goods for his Tracy Morgan impression on “Conan.” First, Baldwin set the stage with rich descriptions of an early morning memory, as an exhausted Morgan admired the performance skills of the Jackson 5. Although Baldwin’s impression was brief, it highlighted the hard emphasis on a single word and Tracy’s refusal to acknowledge when he forgot his lines. Bravo, Mr. Baldwin – though we can’t forget about (xref) Tina Fey’s equally hilarious impression either!
#3: Tom Hiddleston as Owen Wilson as Loki
Here’s another Owen Wilson impression, but with a twist. While appearing at the Australian film festival, Popcorn Taxi, Tom Hiddleston was asked to deliver his fantastic take on Owen Wilson’s voice, but as the Marvel character Loki. After a few self-empowering words, Hiddleston accepted the challenge and warped into the bumbling actor. While the vocal impression isn’t as refined as Bradley Cooper’s take, the overall mannerisms conveyed a man highly dedicated to the craft of personal mockery.
#2: Ariana Grande as Céline Dion
In her first talking appearance on a late night talk show, the former “Victorious” star briefly played “nervous” before grabbing the mic and nailing one of the finest impressions ever seen on late night television. Guided by the husky baritone vocals of Jimmy Fallon, Ariana Grande closed her eyes and let the spirit of Celine Dion fill her soul. And by that, we mean she exaggerated each and every lyric with creative mumbo jumbo. This impression is all about the ad libs, and Ms. Grande stunned millions by achieving the French-Canadian’s unique tone. As the cherry on top, Ariana spoke to the audience in character and closed with a soft chest-thump.
#1: Christina Aguilera as Britney Spears
Ah, the Wheel of Musical Impressions – the highly contrived “Tonight Show” segment designed to make viewers believe everything is random. Even so, it’s a fantastic bit that allows guests to showcase their hidden talents. When Christina Aguilera appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s show, she interpreted the distinct voice of Cher before singing “This Little Piggy” as former “Mickey Mouse Club” castmate, Britney Spears, and well, it was breathtaking. Meaning, Aguilera sucked out every breath and took her time finding the otherworldly pitch of “The Princess of Pop.” Seems like Xtina’s got a thing for impressions – just check out some more of her celebrity impersonations – including another one of Cher and BritBrit for a digital exclusive for “The Voice.”
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