- Born
- Birth nameRichard Caruthers Little
- Nickname
- The Man of a Thousand Voices
- Height1.80 m
- Born in Canada, Rich Little got his start just like almost every other comic of his time - night clubs. he was a very popular comic in these clubs, but if there was one thing Rich was best known for, it was impersonations. He studied the voices of many stars his whole life, stars like James Stewart, Johnny Carson, Don Rickles, Dean Martin, Truman Capote and George Burns. In the late 1960s, Rich was dubbed "the best impressionist in the world." During the 1970s, however, a rivalry began between him and fellow impressionist Frank Gorshin, who is five years older. Ultimately, Rich overpowered Gorshin and remained the best impressionist in the world. In 1973 Rich became more associated with Dean Martin and made countless appearances on the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts," honoring most of the people he impersonated.
Besides impressions, Rich also had a successful career as a narrator in many stories, made many appearances in TV series, and hosted many TV shows. He also made his first movie, as Otterlake in De l'autre côté du vent (2018) in 1972. His acting career wasn't as successful as his impressions, but he did have a great talent. After the 1980s, Rich calmed down and moved away from the limelight.
In 1998, Rich took a look back at his most remembered moments of his career: his appearances on the "Dean Martin Roasts," in an infomercial to promote the Roast videos. Rich says he will ALWAYS remember those moments.- IMDb mini biography by: deanmartin101<gironda@verizon.net>
- SpousesCatherine Brown(2012 - October 2012) (divorced)Marie Marotta(October 15, 2003 - July 15, 2010) (her death)Jeannette Markey(October 29, 1994 - February 11, 1997) (divorced)Jeanne Worden(October 16, 1971 - 1989) (divorced, 1 child)
- ChildrenBria
- ParentsElizabeth MaudLawrence Peniston Little
- RelativesChris(Sibling)Little, Fred (I)(Sibling)
- Celebrity Impersonator
- Dubbed the voice of ailing David Niven for L'héritier de la panthère rose (1983).
- Comedian and celebrity impressionist. Among his many comic impressions have included fellow comedians (e.g., Johnny Carson and Robin Williams), movie stars (Jack Nicholson, Vincent Price, Sylvester Stallone, Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne), fictional TV characters (Big Bird and Edith Bunker) and every U.S. President since John F. Kennedy (and their major challengers, including Ross Perot and Senator Bob Dole).
- His first wife, Jeanne Worden, was Joey Bishop's secretary.
- Was cast by Orson Welles as the character Otterlake in his autobiographical film De l'autre côté du vent (2018), which co-starred Welles himself and fellow director-actor John Huston. Welles praised Little's acting, saying that impressionists seemed to make good actors. However, Little had to drop out of the movie since Welles improvisational style of filming, as well as layoffs caused by budgetary constraints, meant that the shooting schedule was not only unpredictable but practically interminable. When Little was unavailable for filming due to his honoring prior commitments, Welles replaced him with director Peter Bogdanovich, in whose house Welles was then living. The film was never completed during Welles' lifetime.
- Active in several charities benefiting children, including the Juvenile Diabetes Fund and the Children's Miracle Network.
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