A picture is worth a 1000 words, example: Greg Thompson's promo shot as Austin Powers in the attached Buzz article. Greg, AKA the Sunburst producer, chose this picture and has used it on his different web sites for years, before the media used it for a laugh. Now their laughing at the entire industry and in truth, it is funny. Even though none of us like it when someone holds up a mirror for us to see something we don't like, especially when it's the truth. But the value is to use it, move on after having learned. There is a happy ending, at least for Greg, when someone listed him as the top 30 Celebrity Impersonators, which is funny too.

As a member of the Tribute industry I have certain mixed feelings about the top 30.  I feel some of the worst 30 did not deserve it and also because there are so many others so much worse. Therein the paradox of our industry.  That many of us within the industry resent the really bad costume characters, because their poor images suggest the entire industry is as equally as bad.  Like the Austin Powers who wrote multiple replies to defend his unique example of making the industry a laughing stock while using the very same media tool to promote himself. So many mixed signals is it no wonder someone like that doesn’t understand when to simply lay low.  I salute the presence of the worst 30, because it truly represents the disgust many of the real professionals have with “bottom feeder costume characters.” Who’s cheesy professional photo materials , that they choose to represent themselves online publicly is the stuff mockery is made of.  The Worst 30 Celebrity Impersonators holds a mirror up to the industry, it works perfectly.  The images are true and real, so is it no small wonder that any of us in the business don’t like it, but also see this as a truth we are all too familiar. Some of us do see the truth and some of us, like Austin that don’t.

I own an entertainment company in NYC, Bubbygram. (www.bubbygram.com). You have taken several of these images from my website without my permission. Since your goal here is to “dis” and make fun of my performers (who are also my friends!), I must ask you to remove those images immediately or risk legal action.  Furthermore, as Greg and Dawnn and a couple of others have pointed out, there are dead-ringer lookalikes and there are IMPERSONATORS — talented comic, singers, dancers, etc who recreate the stage act/shtick of the original performer. Their job — and they do it VERY well, is to ENTERTAIN. Still photos do not accurately represent what they do, how they sound, how they move, etc. For more on this, read this: http://www.bubbygram.com/faq.htm#lavsimp Furthermore, I can assure you, most of these professionals earn a lot more money than you do for mocking them! (average, $500-900/hr, and some, as much as $2000) Again, if you're going to put up for derision people whom you've never seen perform, and mock an industry about which you know nothing, I ask that you immediately REMOVE all images you've taken from my website.

PS….visit www.SunburstConvention.com for lots of photos of Celebrity Impersonators. Thanks for dropping by. And remember…you can book these entertainers for your events! Most of the ones you see on this page (not all of them) are professionals…but you will have to see their video to get the real idea. These “rag” sites don't do it justice. PS….Austin Powers is an un-attractive fictional character. He is also a goofball to begin with. Get it? Fictional, goofy, unattractive. That photo fits all of those qualities! I think the Bug eyes send that message across. What did I miss?

The article is very funny, especially the Austin Powers picture, those bug eyes jumped right out at you. Forget the 30 worst, he gets top prize.

Actually, some of these people work constantly. You need to understand that there is a difference between a look-a-like and an impersonator. A look-a-like has a “separated at birth” quality with a celeb or character. An impersonator recreates the character or celeb not only through looks but also through mannerisms and voice which can not be captured in a still photo. An “almost twin” look-a-like may not be able to pull off an impersonation. Alternatively, just because the look in a photo may not be dead-on does not mean that the person in the photo isn't a fabulous entertainer who does a great job recreating his or her character.

I think that many of the performers on this list do NOT deserve to be here.
They are VERY talented performers,
and work very hard to entertain “US”…. AKA “John Q Public” 

Hi,
I am Greg Thompson/ The Austin Powers impersonator you have on the site. You don't have my permission to include my personal photo on your site. My photographer has this photo licensed and you are supposed to get his permission to use it. Much less criticize me or any others on her. But then again….I guess if you were really talented yourself, you wouldn't have to downplay what others do for a living. BTW….”Austin” is one of about 12 acts that I do. And I get about 50 bookings a year. Not too shabby for one of the worst “30”. You know what they say about opinions! I make no less than $175 per hour (usually 3-4 hour events). I have the contracts to prove it and about 30 agents who sell this act. Yep…I'm offended by your sophomoric judgement. Wanna see what we really do as impersonators? email me at Greg@vagabondtroupe.com and we'll talk!

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The Pink impersonator looks like Uma Thurman in a crazy wig! lol

Well… there goes all my remaining hope for mankind.

The Oprah one looks like the mom from Family Matters.

First off I think no 11 Brad Pitt may have pec implants. Second “John Travolta” looks more like Ray Romano.