A photographer spent a year documenting non-famous people with famous faces
Jason Ward
Art, Celebrity, Pop Culture
Looking uncannily like Beyonce or Brad Pitt doesn’t sound like something many people would consider a problem. But for struggling actors, resembling someone famous can be distracting and cost them work. Rather than fight the genetic hand they’ve been dealt, some performers decide to embrace it—and make a few bucks in the process.
The celebrity look-alike and impersonator community (which does not include the Hollywood Boulevard variety) is small but tightly knit. The A-listers all seem to know each other.
Kevin Weiler of Talent Plan, an L.A. management company that handles the careers of celebrity impersonators, says the top echelon can make anywhere from $500 to $10,000 for a corporate event or private party.
Celebrity impersonators and look-alikes are an exceedingly friendly bunch who had no problem letting me into their personal lives. None of them take themselves too seriously and most have unrelated day jobs. I actually found myself oddly disappointed by their lack of competitiveness. For instance, the ’90s-period Madonna I photographed had only kind words for her “Lucky Star”-era counterpart.
But what happens when the whistle blows and you’re stuck in a work face that won’t come off? I spent the last year photographing them in their homes and in other places they frequent. Here’s a look at what celebrity look-alikes look like when no one’s looking.
Stuart Rigby, aka Tom Cruise
J. Ward Photography
Day job: Brick layer
Location: Los Angeles
Richard Halprin, aka Austin Powers
Day job: Jazz singer
Location: Hollywood
Antonio, aka Prince
J. Ward Photography
Day job: Lead singer of Dirty Mind
Location: Los Angeles
Bob Getter, aka Larry David
J. Ward Photography
Day job: Bass player
Location: Woodland Hills
Kevin Jude, aka Joan Rivers
Day job: Medical director
Location: Hollywood
Kent Kasper, aka Dr. Phil
J. Ward Photography
Day job: Former district attorney
Location: Van Nuys
Amber Coyle, aka Marilyn Monroe
Day job: Actress/writer
Location: Larchmont
Holly Beavon, aka Madonna circa Lucky Star
J. Ward Photography
Day job: Actress
Location: Hollywood
Willie Dansler, aka Mike Tyson
J. Ward Photography
Day job: Retired military
Location: Rialto
Allie Moss, aka Taylor Swift
J. Ward Photography
Day job: Showgirl/dancer
Location: West Holllywood
Norman Deesing, aka Jack Nicholson
J. Ward Photography
Day job: Host, Apple Tree Inn
Location: Brentwood
Lissa Negrin, aka Cher
J. Ward Photography
Day job: Casino entertainment producer
Location: Hollywood Hills
Cherise Bangs, aka Wonder Woman
J. Ward Photography
Day job: Yoga instructor
Location: Woodland Hills
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Tags: celebrity impersonators, celebrity look-alikes
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