Top 10 Funniest Jimmy Fallon Impressions
#10: Billie Joe Armstrong
If you’ve ever had a rebellious phase where all you listened to was Green Day, you probably know the band’s frontman’s mannerisms like the back of your hand. From the defiant, punk energy coursing through his veins to the messy hair, the sharp head nods, and the wide-legged stance, Billie Joe Armstrong has a presence like no other. Jimmy Fallon ticked all of those boxes when he impersonated the singer during his “Lost” tribute at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards. Additionally, by copying one of Billie’s most iconic looks, the black shirt with the red tie, Fallon made the impression instantly recognizable.
#9: Nuno Bettencourt
It’s always entertaining to watch Jimmy Fallon and Jack Black together. In a 2015 episode of “The Tonight Show”, the stars teamed up to recreate the music video of “More Than Words” by Extreme. The result was unironically a great cover of the original song. Black played Gary Cherone, contributing solid vocals, while Fallon was on the acoustic guitar as Nuno Bettencourt. The latter delivered some impressive harmonies, too. As for the physical impression, Jimmy kept things subtle – pursed lips, intense focus, and emotional delivery. With the luscious wig he was wearing, he had to put in a bit of hairography, too. Needless to say, fans loved it.
#8: Jim Morrison
The Doors frontman has an inimitable essence that cannot possibly be copied. However, his striking uniqueness makes him a perfect subject for impressionists. Jimmy Fallon parodied the legendary singer on “Late Night”, but with a twist. His Jim was singing the “Reading Rainbow” theme song. Fallon immerses himself in his character from the get-go, evoking the star’s mystical magnetism. Not only does he get the look right, with the leather jacket and the wavy hairpiece, but he also nails the Lizard King’s baritone and trance-like movements. His parody is reminiscent of The Doors performing “Light My Fire” on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1967, which means Jimmy doesn’t end his act without an unpredictable scream or two. It’s about time he brought this impression back.
#7: Neil Young
Jimmy’s impression of the “Heart of Gold” singer is one of his most accurate. However, in true Fallon style, he doesn’t just do a simple parody. Instead, he makes his version of Neil Young sing “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme song. The idea came from one of his writers, and he brought it to life on “Late Night”, earning big laughs. He mimics Neil’s high tenor voice with perfection, and in that voice, even Will Smith’s sitcom-suited lyrics sound deep and emotional. Keep in mind, Jimmy also plays the harmonica and the guitar in the act. The man’s got both talent and dedication.
#6: Bob Dylan
Jimmy Fallon’s impression of the Nobel Prize-winning artist has long been a fan favorite. In 2018, he reached for it to make a political statement. In a show following the Super Bowl, he walked on stage in full Bob Dylan gear, equipped with a guitar and a harmonica again. His voice was reedy yet full of conviction as he sang “The Times They Are A-Changin'”, just like the original singer. However, it was Jimmy’s lyrics that truly won hearts, as his rendition addressed issues like #MeToo and Colin Kaepernick taking the knee. This parody was true to the spirit of Dylan’s anthem, earning the “Saturday Night Live” alum both respect and laughter.
#5: Robin Williams
Jimmy Fallon brought his impression of the “Mrs. Doubtfire” star to “SNL” in the year 2000. The costume department had given him the perfect Robin Williams get-up for a “Celebrity Jeopardy!” sketch, and he breathed life into his character with ease. From the warmth in Robin’s voice to his characteristic rapid-fire delivery and unstoppable energy, Fallon flawlessly channeled the icon. Tragically, the world lost the Oscar-winning “Good Will Hunting” actor in 2014. Following his untimely passing, Jimmy paid tribute to the beloved legend on “The Tonight Show”, trying hard to hold back tears. As he waxed lyrical about Williams, he couldn’t help but slip into an impression of him, which the audience applauded with somber awe.
#4: Mick Jagger
A spot-on impression is always fun, but it gets even more entertaining when it’s done in front of the real person. When Mick Jagger hosted “SNL” in 2001, he appeared in a sketch where Jimmy Fallon played his mirror image. Dressed exactly alike, the two brought the house down with their comic timing and chemistry. Jimmy’s exaggerated English accent, squinting eyes, and overly expressive mouth all added up to a fantastic impression. Even the rockstar himself cracked up a few times. Fallon later revealed on “The Tonight Show” that “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels didn’t initially love the idea of the skit, but Jagger was instantly sold on it. Years later, it continues to be one of the funniest acts we’ve seen on the comedy show.
#3: Barry Gibb
When it comes to Jimmy’s musical impressions, this one is unbeatable. His Barry Gibb is so popular that he has played the Bee Gees member multiple times on “SNL” as a part of “The Barry Gibb Talk Show” sketch series. The “Stayin' Alive” singer even appeared on one of these skits and gave his impersonator his stamp of approval. Though Fallon admitted that his hot-headed, over-the-top “SNL” impression is not based on Gibb’s real personality, it is still amusing to watch. The Emmy-winner nails the British singer’s unmistakable accent and world-renowned falsetto. As a bonus, Jimmy is joined by Justin Timberlake in these sketches, who does a hilariously convincing Robin Gibb. We can never get tired of these two together.
#2: Jerry Seinfeld
The award-winning artist has been parodied by his fellow comedians for years. Jim Carrey, Gilbert Gottfried, and even Kevin Hart have their own versions of the “Seinfeld” creator. However, it was Jimmy Fallon who got to bring his impression of the star to “SNL” and even mimicked him to his face for a sketch. The first time he imitated the “SeinLanguage” author was in 1998 for a skit called “Tarmac Talk”. The second time was when Jerry was hosting in 1999 and joined Jimmy for “Weekend Update”. The latter was an instant hit, even though Fallon kept breaking into a grin. He pulled off Seinfeld's signature cadence and commendably mirrored his mannerisms. Watching them play off of each other was a true delight.
#1: Adam Sandler
Jimmy Fallon owes the start of his comedy career, in a way, to the “Happy Gilmore” star. One of the first impressions he ever did publicly was that of Adam Sandler. It was for a contest, where he also impersonated Jerry Seinfeld and John Travolta, winning first place. He later parodied both Jerry and Adam during his “SNL” audition, but it was his take on the “Uncut Gems” actor that got a laugh out of Lorne Michaels. He ended up on the show soon after, and his career took off. Fallon has since blessed fans with his Sandler impression on several occasions, delivering the perfect mix of awkward rambling and frenzied screaming, all while perfectly imitating his husky voice. It gets us every time.
Which Jimmy Fallon impression is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!
