There is something unsettling about celebrity impersonators.  It seems almost like they have such a craving for fame that they want to carve off a sliver from the real celebrity’s pie.  Or that they think their own talents are at their best if they mimic the stylings and dress of the real celebrity.  Maybe they just don’t want to be themselves.  It takes so much work to mock hair and costume, speech patterns and vocal stylings--it’s as hard to be a celebrity impersonator as a unique artist.  So I can’t help but wonder--why don’t they just perform as themselves?

Perhaps there is no simple or single reason.  One man may want to bring his idol back to life.  Another may think his own talents don’t cut it to be a star.  Another may feel less shy performing under the warm fame of another.

Whatever their reasons, some of the most common celebrity impersonators are Elvis impersonators.  Elvis’ appeal is not too hard to understand.  He was so beloved, so talented and people still believe--with the part of themselves that isn’t too rational and also loves Elvis impersonators--that he may still be alive.  Here are some of the most famous Elvis impersonators in the United States: 

Donny Edwards.  Donny Edward’s website says that he is the most wanted Elvis impersonator in all of the business. He has performed everywhere from theaters to cruises. He can impersonate Elvis at all stages of his career and life, from the 1950’s to the 1970’s.  This guy really does look like Elvis and he has a wonderful, Elvis-like voice.  According to the website, he has everything Elvis down from his mannerisms to his southern accent. This guy seems to be the real-fake deal--he has done a private show for Marie Osmond, Elvis’ real-life manager says the resemblance is uncanny and he has performed in Chile for a crowd of 12,000.  He was named one of the top 3 Elvis Tribute Artists in the world by Elvis Presley Enterprises. 

Johnny Thompson.  Thompson lives in Las Vegas, but, like Edwards, claims to be the best impersonator in the world.  I wonder if these guys have ever met.  Thompson has been everywhere, hosting red carpet gigs for MTV and Vh1.  He has been featured in HBO and TLC documentaries. Like for Edwards, international audiences seem to get into Thompson's act, as well.  Thompson has toured Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Belgium, among other strange places. He also did a world tour, stopping in the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, China Finland and 20 cities in France. He has won awards from a ton of Elvis Impersonator championships (of which there are a shockingly large number).

North Carolinian Stephen Freeman will travel 3,000 miles away from his home impersonate Elvis.  His fee runs anywhere from $600 to $6000 and he has replicated all of Elvis’ real performing outfits with great detail. He has written and starred in two plays about Elvis.  Freeman maybe doesn’t have the international appeal of the other impersonators, but perhaps he wants to try to be as authentic as possible. Whatever that might be.