Rich Little

Little, Richard Caruthers

 Richard Caruthers Little, "Rich," impressionist, actor (b at Ottawa 26 Nov 1938). Rich Little is world-famous for his uncanny impressions of celebrities and politicians. Little began to develop his talents by avidly listening to radio, attending movies and working in amateur theatre in Ottawa. He graduated from Lisgar Collegiate in 1957 and among his activities there he was a cheerleader, writing several school cheers. The singer Mel Tormé saw Little on a Canadian television variety program and convinced Judy Garland to allow him to make his US debut on her show in 1964.

Little appeared as a regular on numerous television programs, including the John Davidson Show (1969), ABC Comedy Hour (1972), the Julie Andrews Hour (1972-73), and hosted the Rich Little Show in 1976 and You Asked For It (1981-83). He was named Entertainer of the Year in 1974 and has received many awards for his virtuoso performances in his version of A Christmas Carol. He filled in for Johnny Carson as guest host on The Tonight Show many times and had guest roles in episodes of Love Boat (1980-84), Murder She Wrote (1988), McGyver (1990) and The Nanny (1996). He has done voice work in films such as Better Off Dead (1985) and Bébé's Kids (1992, as Richard Nixon), played Johnny Carson in Late Shift (1996) and numerous heads of state in The Presidents, a play he toured in 2003.

Rich Little was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 1998 and called "the world's greatest impressionist."