I'm Not a Bigot, But I Play One On TV: "Man of a Thousand Voices" Drops A New Impression on S.W.A.T.
Actor/impressionist Jim Meskimen, whose many celebrity voices have been featured on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, NBC's Parks & Recreation and as a finalist in 2013 on America's Got Talent, demonstrates his dramatic chops on this week's episode of the CBS drama, S.W.A.T.
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Hondo, (Shemar Moore's character on the police drama S.W.A.T.) is about to come face to face with an intolerant and influential media rabble-rouser.
Who just happens to be played by "Man of a Thousand Voices", Jim Meskimen.
Veteran of over 30 years of TV shows and movies, including five Ron Howard films including Apollo 13, Jim Meskimen has been a steady presence in comedy and drama, and his outing on S.W.A.T. is only the latest, but it is his talent as a celebrity impressionist that has been his claim to fame.
"My impressions got me onto The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and Whose Line Is It, Anyway, which launched my career, but of course, I want to do more" says Meskimen, whose real-life mom, actress Marion Ross, played the iconic "Mrs. C" on the ABC hit, Happy Days.
His ability to mimic actors Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Deniro, George W. Bush, and even seldom done voices like Colin Firth, Ron Howard and Harvey Keitel lead to a series of viral videos on YouTube, and inspired writer/director Ben Shelton to create the TV series Impress Me starring Meskimen and actor/impressionist Ross Marquand of Walking Dead fame, now on Amazon Prime.
You've also heard him pitching chicken breasts (without knowing it) as the gravelly voice of the iconic Col Harland Sanders in ads for KFC.
"Impressions keep me busy as a voiceover guy, and I get to be in front of audiences with my live JIMPRESSIONS show, but at this point in my life I really am focused on doing more dramatic parts. I'm hoping I have a bright future playing jerks."
His role as an impressionist in Season Two of the award-winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was a chance to combine "serious" acting with impressions. "Amy Paladino is an extraordinary writer, who also directed my episode," says Meskimen. "She directed my mom in The Gilmore Girls, so it was special to be able to work with her on her new show. Plus, I'm a huge Midge fan!"
The short film Son To Son, which Meskimen also wrote, has garnered a dozen awards in film festivals around the country. The dramatic short confronts the topic of opioid abuse and its effect on families. Meskimen cast himself in the role of a father addicted to Oxycontin who turns to his son, played by Nick Lane, for help.
Which impression is next for Meskimen? "I'd love to do an impression of Brian Cranston, whom I admire... not just his voice, but that incredible career he's built."
That should keep him busy.
S.W.A.T. episode, "Pride" airs Thursday, February 21 on CBS at 10/9 Central.
Jim Meskimen is represented by Sharon King of SK Mgmt, and Brittany Stone of The Lovestone Talent Agency.
SOURCE Meskimen Applied Silliness, inc
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