Top 20 Most Parodied Celebrities

#20: Justin Bieber

The Biebs has lived out his entire youth in the public eye. With his unprecedented fame and ubiquity came the punchlines. His youthful appearance and gentle voice, which shot him to the pop stratosphere and made him a teen heartthrob, became the same things he got parodied for. As he grew older, his questionable actions became the target of satire. While some impressions leaned toward mockery, others, like those by “Saturday Night Live” legends Kate McKinnon and Jimmy Fallon, were in good humor. Kate’s take on the popstar was not just recognizable because of her blonde quiff and Calvin Kleins, but she also had JB’s mannerisms down pat. Miley Cyrus does a solid impression of Justin, too.

#19: Dwayne Johnson

Saying the Rock has a distinct appearance would be an understatement. There’s simply no one else like him! This makes him rather easy to imitate, especially when he has signature moves like the classic eyebrow raise and that toothy smirk. Among all who have given it a try, the pro-wrestler-turned-actor’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” co-star Jack Black has to be the best. The master comedian nails Johnson’s deep, husky voice, animated gestures, and go-getter personality. Of course, we can’t forget Kevin Hart’s impression of a young Dwayne, although the “Night School” actor was definitely pulling his friend’s leg with that one.

#18: Tom Cruise

He’s one of the biggest movie stars in the world, and for good reason. From romantic masterpieces like “Jerry Maguire” to groundbreaking action flicks like “Mission Impossible”, Tom Cruise has dominated the big screen for decades. Behind the scenes, he became known for his eccentric personality and boldness, given his insistence on performing his own stunts. Impressionists latched onto his idiosyncrasies, parodying his smoldering stare, unrestrained intensity, and unpredictable actions, such as jumping on Oprah’s couch. The “Top Gun” star’s involvement with the Church of Scientology has also made him a target for frequent lampooning. In fact, he has been parodied so many times in pop culture, there’s a whole Wikipedia page dedicated to it.

#17: Oprah Winfrey

Being an icon doesn’t just mean fame and fortune. Oprah Winfrey, a.k.a the Queen of All Media, is a symbol of wealth, influence, and grandeur. She has a flair for tugging at her audience’s heartstrings. Her grand giveaways and highly emotional speeches, delivered with dramatic sincerity on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, are deeply ingrained in pop culture. As such, most parodies of Oprah come from a place of wanting to honor her legacy rather than criticism. Remember when Maya Rudolph, Leslie Jones, and, hilariously, Tim Meadows impersonated her on “SNL”? Those sketches were undoubtedly endearing, and we just can’t get enough.

#16: Matthew McConaughey

This Oscar-winning actor has what is possibly the most recognizable Southern drawl in Hollywood. Add to that his distinctive baritone and infinite quotability, and you have all the material you need for the perfect parody. You don’t even have to be a comedian to imitate the way he says ‘alright, alright, alright’ with at least sixty percent accuracy. McConaughey’s ultra-serious Lincoln commercials were brilliantly parodied by comedy legend Jim Carrey on “SNL” and even “South Park” did a bit on them. Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, who starred in “Interstellar” with Matthew, have perfected their own impressions of him, too.

#15: Marilyn Monroe

She was one of the leading stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Decades later, Marilyn Monroe’s influence on pop culture remains unrivaled. She is still considered one of the most beautiful women of all time. To this day, fans love dressing up as her, hoping to recreate even an iota of her grace and glamor. Naturally, most impressions of the “Some Like It Hot” star are homages in earnest. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be funny! On “SNL” alone, we’ve seen some fantastic Marilyn Monroe impersonations by the likes of Madonna and Charlize Theron that struck the perfect balance between tribute and parody. Chloe Fineman had a go at it, too, satirizing Netflix’s “Blonde”, and fans ate it up!

#14: Marlon Brando

He’s the man, the myth, the legend. “The Godfather” star didn’t earn that title by being forgettable. Marlon Brando’s brooding intensity and naturalistic style of dialogue delivery, particularly in his more mature years, are unmistakable and have been studied for years. There can never be another Marlon Brando, but there are some incredible Brando impressionists who never fail to make us laugh. Among them are fellow acting powerhouses Anthony Hopkins, Matthew Broderick, Bryan Cranston, Burt Reynolds, Edward Norton, Alec Baldwin, Josh Brolin, and John Travolta. A lot of these impressions came not from the icon’s work, but from his personal interactions with the stars, which is what makes them even more entertaining.

#13: Nicolas Cage

The “National Treasure” star calls his acting style ‘mega-acting’. If that isn’t an open invitation for parodists, we don’t know what is! Nicolas Cage’s larger-than-life theatricality and over-the-top expressions may be meme-worthy, but they’re also why people love him. This love often takes the form of imitation, which, of course, is flattery. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Andy Samberg has famously impersonated the actor on “SNL” multiple times, and was once joined by Cage himself! “The Big Bang Theory”’s Simon Helberg, who’s a massive fan of the “Ghost Rider” legend, does a riotous impression of Nic as well.

#12: Sylvester Stallone

He’s the ultimate Hollywood action hero – the genius who brought us Rocky Balboa and John Rambo. As the poster child of silver screen machismo, Sylvester Stallone quickly became a magnet for parodies. His rugged charisma and gravelly cadence are inimitable, but they are often mimicked. His slurred speech, which was apparently the reason he was tormented by his peers as a young boy, became his most defining trait, which impressionists focused on copying. Jim Carrey does it strikingly well – no surprise there – but Denzel Washington has a hilarious Sly impression under his belt too!

#11: Jennifer Coolidge

The “American Pie” star is not just a celebrated actress but is also the internet’s darling. So, Jennifer Coolidge impressionists have high standards to live up to. Luckily for them, the Boston, Massachusetts native is so unique in every way that it’s hard to mess up a mimicry of her. From her signature pursed lips and breathy voice to her iconic dialogues delivered with that languid drawl, Jennifer’s on-screen persona lends itself wonderfully to parody. While many have impersonated “The White Lotus” star over the years, Ariana Grande is the undisputed GOAT. Her Coolidge impression, which she performed on “SNL” with Dana Carvey and Chloe Fineman, also playing Jennifer, is simply spot-on.

#10: Al Pacino

From Michael Corleone in “The Godfather” to Tony Montana in “Scarface” and Vincent Hanna in “Heat”, this actor has given us some of the most memorable film characters ever. No two Al Pacino characters are ever the same, but they’re always intense and explosive – which is prime real estate for impressionists. In real life, his trademark gruff, raspy voice and subtle Italian-American accent straight from the South Bronx give him an even more singular presence. Countless celebrities have had a go at impersonating the icon, but only Johnny Depp seems to have Al’s seal of approval.

#9: Robert De Niro

The “Taxi Driver” star is a paragon of the film industry. His contribution to mob cinema is incomparable, and the tough guy archetype he birthed has raised several generations of actors. De Niro’s distinct New York accent, combined with that singular squint and intimidating frown, which looks like he’s perpetually disappointed in you, is the stuff impressionists live for. Naturally, everyone, from his contemporaries to junior actors, loves to impersonate the icon. The actor doesn’t seem to mind that, though. When Tom Hiddleston impersonated him to his face on “The Graham Norton Show”, he gracefully complimented him, encouraging the Marvel star.

#8: Cher

Be it in music, fashion, or cinema, this queen has achieved unprecedented success in her career. Her powerful contralto voice, fabulous fashion, and extravagant glamor made her stand out from the moment she entered the entertainment scene. Her reputation as a diva only added to her allure, turning her into a symbol of unapologetic femininity. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Cher invented the concept of ‘eras’ with her constant aesthetic and artistic evolution. Today, being a Cher impersonator is a full-time job! “RuPaul's Drag Race” legend Chad Michaels rose to fame with her impression of the Goddess of Pop. Meryl Streep, Blake Lively, and Drew Barrymore have surprisingly good Cher impressions, too!

#7: Sean Connery

The OG silver screen James Bond made people all over the world fall in love with his fatal charm and good looks. His Scottish brogue was definitely part of his appeal, but it also became parody fodder as time went on. In his older years, his misogynistic views and brash personality made him an even bigger target for critical parodies. Darrell Hammond extensively impersonated him on “SNL”, and fans loved every second of it. Liam Neeson, Neil Patrick Harris, and Hugh Laurie could’ve given him a run for his money, though, because they do a mean Sean Connery, too.

#6: Christopher Walken

The moment you see this gentleman walk into a scene, you know it’s going to be cinematic gold. Christopher Walken is one of the most celebrated actors of all time! His unique way of speaking is hypnotizing – think, his gold watch monologue in “Pulp Fiction” – and his calm but menacing aura hooks viewers at once. Off-screen, he has an otherworldly charm that makes every story he tells feel endlessly fascinating. No one else can do it like him, but it’s fun to try anyway! That’s why so many comedians love to ‘do a Walken’, including the great Robin Williams.

#5: Arnold Schwarzenegger

In his twenties, this superstar became Mr. Universe and won multiple Mr. Olympia titles. He then took Hollywood action films to a whole new level with the “Terminator” franchise. Decades later, he became the 38th Governor of California, earning himself the nickname of ‘Governator’. Arnold Schwarzenegger is just built different. When someone is this iconic and larger-than-life, being parodied by artists, young and old, is quite natural. In fact, it would be shocking if there weren’t Arnie impressionists everywhere. The first thing people tend to imitate is the actor’s Austrian accent, followed by his unforgettable catchphrases like ‘I'll be back’ and ‘Hasta la vista, baby’. We’ve heard them a thousand times, but they just never get old.

#4: Donald Trump

As the 45th & 47th President of the United States, he’s one of the most famous people in the world. Just about everyone has their own Donald Trump impression, be it children trick-or-treating on Halloween or the best comedians in the industry. Some opt for caricaturish imitations, exaggerating the politician’s theatricality through animated hand gestures and facial expressions. Others, like Alec Baldwin and James Austin Johnson, deliver striking accuracy on “SNL”, copying his signature look and cadence. What all versions usually have in common is smug confidence. Speeches laden with grand superlatives and chaotic claims are part and parcel of any Trump parody, and they’re always entertaining.

#3: Jack Nicholson

It is surprisingly hard to do an impression of the three-time Oscar winner, but when has that stopped anyone? Jack Nicholson’s one-of-a-kind smile, smoky voice, and effortless but intimidating coolness gave him heartthrob status back in the day. He was the quintessential bad boy of the seventies and eighties! Parodies of Jack Nicholson usually focus on recreating his Cheshire Cat grin and expressive eyebrows. Jim Carrey and Leonardo DiCaprio nail this physical aspect of the impression, while Robin Williams was a master of imitating Nicholson’s voice. Jimmy Fallon, Matt Damon, and Adam Sandler have had quite a bit of fun impersonating him over the years, too.

#2: Elvis Presley

The King of Rock and Roll needs no introduction. From the pompadour to the sexy Southern swagger, the sway of his hips and the curl of his lips – everything about this man was legendary. His glitzy residency at the Las Vegas Strip is so embedded in the pop culture zeitgeist that to this day, Elvis impersonators perform there in his honor. You’ll even find some Elvis tribute artists officiating weddings in the city. The English town of Blackpool has an entire chapel themed around Elvis! While the star’s essence is beyond imitation, fans have kept the Elvis craze alive through these loving parodies.

#1: Michael Jackson

You could go to almost any corner of the world, and you’d find an MJ fan there. The King of Pop has inspired artists across generations. Some of the greatest musicians of our time, such as Amy Winehouse, Beyoncé, Drake, Britney Spears, Bruno Mars, and BTS, count Michael Jackson as their idol. Aspiring artists spend years learning from his distinctive performance style, hoping to achieve even an inch of his remarkable talent in singing and dancing. Fans who have no intentions of ever stepping foot on a stage can’t help imitating him either. Comedians, on the other hand, love mimicking his vocal stylings and soft, high-pitched speaking voice. His controversial private life inevitably gets parodied too, but it’s usually fair game if done respectfully.

Which celebs, do you think, are the hardest to impersonate? Tell us in the comments.