Rich Little
Rich Little is a Canadian comedian and master impressionist, born on November 26, 1938, in Ottawa, Canada. He first showcased his talent by impersonating teachers during his youth, eventually winning a talent contest at seventeen that propelled him into the entertainment industry. Little gained significant fame in the 1960s after being hired by Mel Tormé for CBS's *The Judy Garland Show*, followed by numerous appearances on iconic programs like *The Ed Sullivan Show* and *The Julie Andrews Hour*. Known as the world's best impressionist, he has a repertoire of over two hundred voices, paying tribute to legendary figures such as Frank Sinatra and Cary Grant.
In addition to his performing career, Little has actively supported children's charities, being recognized for his charitable work with honors like induction into the Miami Children's Hospital International Pediatrics Hall of Fame. His accolades include multiple awards, an Emmy for *Rich Little's Christmas Carol*, and honors on both the Hollywood and Canada Walks of Fame. Little's personal life includes four marriages, with his current wife being Catherine Brown. He became a U.S. citizen in 2010 and continues to perform, having launched a one-man show, "Jimmy Stewart and Friends," in Las Vegas.
Rich Little
Impersonator
- Born: November 26, 1938
- Birthplace: Ottawa, Canada
Contribution: Performer Rich Little, best known for his many impersonations, has been called the “man of a thousand voices.” Little has won fame for his impressions of political figures, skewing US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama. He has performed throughout the world.
Early Life
Richard Caruthers Little was born on November 26, 1938, in Ottawa, Canada, to Lawrence Peniston Little, a physician, and Elizabeth Maud Wilson. Little began to do impersonations of his teachers at a young age. At seventeen, Little and a friend teamed up as impressionists and won a Canadian television show talent contest. The two continued to appear in variety shows throughout Canada until Little ventured out on his own as a performer on radio and in nightclubs.
Performer
Little got his big break in 1964, when Mel Tormé hired him to perform impressions on CBS’s The Judy Garland Show. Numerous performances followed, including appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Julie Andrews Hour. In the 1960s, Little was known as the world’s best impressionist. In the 1970s, he hosted his own short-lived variety television show on NBC.
He was the star of the TV show The Kopykats, appeared as guest host numerous times on The Tonight Show, and was a guest star in a number of prime-time television series, including Fantasy Island and Murder She Wrote. With a repertoire of more than two hundred voices, Little has paid tribute to entertainment legends such as Clark Gable and Cary Grant, and has mimicked singers Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, and Tom Jones.
Charitable Endeavors
Throughout his career, Little has been active in a number of children’s charities, serving as spokesperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the Canadian division of the Children’s Miracle Network. For his efforts in raising money for children’s causes, Little was inducted into the Miami Children’s Hospital International Pediatrics Hall of Fame and had a nursery named after him at the Ottawa Civic Hospital.
Awards and Acknowledgments
Little was twice awarded the Cleveland Amory Award, was named comedy star of the year by the American Guild of Variety Artists in 1974, and won an Emmy for his 1978 special Rich Little’s Christmas Carol. He has a star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame. During Ottawa’s 150th anniversary celebrations, Little was recognized as one of the province’s most famous citizens.
In 2007, Little served as master of ceremonies for the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, which was attended by President George W. Bush and other prominent politicians and celebrities.
In 2012, Little launched a one-man show, entitled, “Jimmy Stewart and Friends”—incorporating impersonations of Jimmy Stewart, Ronald Reagan, and George Burns, among others—at the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. In 2013, he extended the show’s run. He also performed the show at select locations in the United States and Canada.
Personal Life
Little has been married four times and divorced twice. His first marriage, to Jeanne Worden, lasted from 1971 to 1989, and his second, to Jeannette Markey, lasted from 1994 to 1997. He married Marie Marotta in 2003. She died in 2010 from an overdose of sleeping pills. In 2012, he married his fourth wife, Catherine Brown, whom he met online. Little lives in Las Vegas. He became a US citizen in January 2010.
Principal Works
Love on a Rooftop, 1966–67
The Flying Nun, 1967, 1969
Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, 1968–72
The Pink Panther Show, 1969
Love, American Style, 1969–73
The Julie Andrews Hour, 1972–73
Fantasy Island, 1978, 1983
The Love Boat, 1980, 1984
The New You Asked for It, 1981
Bibliography
Jones, Jay. “Las Vegas: Rich Little Extending One-Man Show at LVH.” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2013. Web. 14 Aug. 2013.
Laura, Robert. “Rich Little: Impersonating Retirement.” Forbes. Forbes.com LLC, 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 14 Aug. 2013.
Little, Rich. Interview by Donnie Matsuda. “Laugh a Lot or a ‘Little.’” San Diego Drama King. San Diego Drama King blog, 26 June 2012. Web. 14 Aug. 2013.
“Rich Little’s Bio.” RichLittle.com. Rich Little, 2013. Web. 14 Aug. 2013.