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Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery... especially when the celebrity loves it! Join us as we count down the impressions that earned real-life approval from the stars being impersonated. From political figures to Hollywood icons, these performers didn't just nail the voice - they got the ultimate stamp of approval from their famous subjects!
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the impressions that earned
00:11real-life approval from the star being impersonated. When I met Celine she told me she was like
00:16um when I saw you I beat. Number 20 Jay Farrow as Denzel Washington. You know when I did that
00:24Denzel I was 22 years old when I did that you know and now I'm a 36 year old man doing it huh.
00:30There's no wonder why Jay Farrow's hyper accurate Denzel Washington impression became a signature
00:34part of his Saturday Night Live tenure. It not only captured Denzel's precise diction but his
00:39unmistakable intensity. Excuse me speak up you're at Macy's there are rules and regulations if you
00:46got a complaint I want to hear it. So what did the Academy Award winner think of the nuanced mimicking?
00:50Well Denzel has complimented Farrow's take noting he appreciated the skill behind the
00:55impersonation. It was a rare and meaningful acknowledgement from an actor who seldom
00:58comments on such things. The approval confirmed that Farrow's tribute wasn't just funny it was
01:11genuinely respected by his A-list subject. Number 19 Jimmy Fallon as Neil Young. Few impressions get a
01:19duet with the real-life inspiration. Jimmy Fallon's imitation of Neil Young complete with that
01:24trademark falsetto tremble not only impressed audiences but Young himself.
01:38The approval came when the legendary singer-songwriter appeared on Fallon's The Tonight Show and proceeded
01:43to perform side-by-side with Jimmy. In matching outfits no less Young didn't treat the impression as
01:48mockery. He leaned into the performance and embraced the playful tone.
01:52Came from the future back to the past to warm your ass. The collaboration became one of Fallon's
01:59most viewed musical bits largely because Neil Young's involvement made it clear he genuinely enjoyed
02:04the send-up.
02:05I am you. You are me. Love is love.
02:10Number 18 Jordan Peele as Barack Obama.
02:16Good evening my fellow Americans.
02:21Talk about a ringing endorsement from the commander-in-chief. Jordan Peele's take on Barack Obama became a fan favorite
02:27thanks to the sketch series Key and Peele where the actor and filmmaker nailed Obama's calm register and steady cadence.
02:34I know a lot of people out there seem to think that I don't get angry. That's just not true. I get angry a lot.
02:41Obama didn't just acknowledge the impression. He openly embraced the anger translator concept by inviting Peele's partner in crime,
02:47Keegan-Michael Key, to perform beside him at the 2015 White House Correspondents Dinner.
02:51That's why I invited Luther, my anger translator, to join me here tonight.
03:07Obama's willingness to platform the bit and play along showed genuine approval, clearly showing he ultimately enjoyed the performers and the portrayal.
03:14In conclusion, last night I had a conversation with Michelle.
03:21I did not say that. I did not say that.
03:23I did not say that.
03:24Number 17 Eddie Murphy as Tracy Morgan.
03:27It's not often that a comedian can channel the wild energy of another comic, but Eddie Murphy's take on fellow SNL alum Tracy Morgan is about as good as it gets.
03:44I went over there and he made me French, boy pop French.
03:47Whether he's breaking it out on late night talk shows or during Saturday Night Live's 50th anniversary special, Murphy nails Morgan's trademark vocal quirks and wonderfully unpredictable vibe.
03:57The real genius isn't just mimicking the voice, it's capturing the full essence of Tracy Morgan.
04:22And the best part? Tracy has embraced every minute of it, proving that Murphy's impression hits exactly the right tone.
04:27If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here. Like, literally, I was conceived on a delirious tour bus.
04:35You know, that math doesn't really quite add up.
04:37Number 16 Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris.
04:40As the 2024 election heated up, SNL naturally wasted no time diving into the candidates, and Maya Rudolph's Kamala Harris quickly became a standout.
04:48You see, my campaign is like the Sabrina Carpenter song, Espresso. The lyrics are vague, but the vibe slaps.
04:57Returning as a frequent guest, Rudolph tapped into Harris' cadence and signature rhetorical detours, turning them into pure comedy gold.
05:04Name something that you keep in your glove compartment. Oh, D.P. Harris.
05:09Steve, look. I was raised in a middle class family, alright? Oh, here we go.
05:15And the ultimate stamp of approval came straight from the source.
05:18When the views showed Vice President Harris a clip of Rudolph's impression, she praised the comedian's sharp talent.
05:23Admire Rudolph. I mean, she's so good.
05:25Just weeks later, Harris made a surprise appearance on SNL itself, sharing the screen with her imitator.
05:30We know each other so well, we even finish each other's belief in the promise of America.
05:36Number 15 Tom Hiddleston as Robert De Niro.
05:40Al Pacino says this, he goes, uh...
05:44So.
05:45Showcasing his range of celebrity impressions on The Graham Norton Show, Tom Hiddleston managed to pull off something most performers never get the chance to attempt.
05:56Impersonate a cinematic icon right to their face.
05:59There's a scene in the middle of the film, which you'll be familiar with.
06:02You were there.
06:03Tensioning into the famous diner scene from Heat, Hiddleston delivered an uncannily precise take on both Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
06:10All while De Niro sat a few feet away.
06:12What if you do got me boxed in?
06:14I'm not gonna put you down.
06:16And well, the Taxi Driver star didn't just watch.
06:19He laughed, applauded, and clearly appreciated the spot on reenactment.
06:22But I will not hesitate.
06:24Not for a second.
06:26Yep, Hiddleston's meticulous grasp of De Niro and Pacino earned him a nod of approval from one of the industry's most legendary actors.
06:33Number 14, Will Ferrell as James Lipton.
06:36So I saw it in private, and I have never been so grateful in my life as I am to Will Ferrell.
06:41Will Ferrell's gloriously over-the-top James Lipton on Saturday Night Live may have become an instant classic.
06:46But what made it even better was how wholeheartedly the real Lipton embraced it.
06:51In 1982, a film was produced.
06:54A film that made not a little amount of money, but in fact a great deal of money.
06:59Rather than feeling mocked, the Inside the Actress studio host repeatedly praised Ferrell's performance, calling it a great honor.
07:06He even appeared on SNL, proving he was completely in on the joke.
07:09I love it.
07:10It's very flattering.
07:11And besides, he came on my show and did it.
07:13He interviewed me as me.
07:14I was in one of his movies, Bewitched at his request.
07:18We're good friends.
07:19And I think he's got me cold.
07:23The appearance highlighted a warm, good-humored rapport grounded in mutual respect.
07:28Ferrell's spoof would become permanently tied to James Lipton's public persona.
07:31And he was more than okay with that.
07:33If you haven't seen the scene where Drew screams at the ET, go right now to a place where videotapes of film are sold or rented.
07:40And buy it.
07:42Or rent it.
07:43And watch it.
07:45Number 13.
07:46Vanessa Bayer as Jennifer Aniston.
07:48Jennifer Aniston has seen plenty of people try their hand at mimicking her.
07:52Oh!
07:53Uh-oh!
07:54Uh, did you know that Ross and I used to, uh, uh, uh, date?
07:57Oh!
07:58Oh!
07:59Oh!
08:00One performer stood out above the rest.
08:02Aniston has repeatedly said that Vanessa Bayer's wide-eyed, slightly baffled take on her friends-era persona is her favorite.
08:08Wow, and now why do you think people are so nostalgic for the 90s?
08:11Oh, yeah, you know, the 90s are great.
08:13You know, you go to work, uh, you go on dates, and you go to cafes with your friends, and you all sit facing camera.
08:20The two eventually addressed it face-to-face while promoting their film, Office Christmas Party.
08:25And the meta-fun didn't stop there.
08:27During a 2016 Weekend Update appearance on SNL, Aniston surprised the audience by confronting Bayer in character, turning their playful debate over the impression into a crowd-pleasing bit.
08:36Vanessa!
08:37Yeah!
08:38What?
08:39No!
08:40I don't do that!
08:41Come on!
08:42Babe!
08:43What?
08:44Oh, Ross!
08:45When the real star is game enough to join in, that's approval at its highest level.
08:49Number 12, Jimmy Fallon as Mick Jagger.
08:52And, uh, Lauren goes, please don't do that.
08:55Don't do that.
08:56It's-it's-it's insulting to Mick, and it's-it's-the bit has been done in the mirror.
09:00Uh, the Groucho Marx did it.
09:02Lucille Ball did it.
09:03Like, you're not gonna break any ground with this guy.
09:05James Fallon's swaggering Mick Jagger impression had long been a staple in his comedy toolkit, well before he performed it in front of the rock icon himself.
09:12As fate would have it, Jagger's signature strut and exaggerated pout will become one of Fallon's most recognizable bits during his SNL run.
09:19Oh, yes.
09:20The ultimate validation came in 2012, when Jagger hosted the show.
09:23Pointing fingers is what's going on now. Pointing fingers is what I'm doing now. Pointing fingers is today.
09:28Oh, no! Stale! I meant-I meant stale like great. Stale, yeah.
09:33Right.
09:34In the now-iconic mirror grievances sketch, Fallon appeared as Jagger's reflection, mimicking the real front man on the other side of a fake mirror.
09:41The moment stands as one of SNL's most memorable celebrity meets their impression pairings.
09:46And I'm point by my fingers! Pointing! Pointing! Pointing! Pointing at you!
09:56Number 11, Bowen Yang as Charlie XCX.
09:59SNL kicked off its 50th season with quite a breakout moment courtesy of Bowen Yang, who strutted onto the stage as a gloriously exaggerated Charlie XCX.
10:08Whatever, whatever. Hi, it's me. 365 Party Girl Charlie XCX.
10:14This is my talk show when we talk talk about whatever I'm on about.
10:18Dicked out in a brat-inspired ensemble and chaotic wig for the talk talk show sketch, Yang leaned hard into Charlie's kinetic stage presence.
10:26Amy Adams in Night Bitch. Brat. Eric Adams in Dightment. Nah.
10:33Not only did it kill with the audience, but the real Charlie wasted no time weighing in.
10:37She called it so brat and even loved Bowen's wig texture.
10:40I was very impressed with the hair texture, actually. I thought it was a really good wig.
10:45Her enthusiastic reaction made it clear she loved the tribute.
10:48Yang would later revive the impression in a future episode, performing alongside Charlie herself.
10:53Can I call you Elfie?
10:55No.
10:56Number 10. Matt Friend as Jeff Goldblum.
10:59Matt Friend's uncanny Jeff Goldblum imitation gave major steam online before reaching the actor himself.
11:04I think if you're going to have a fluid exit in your mouth, make sure it's something more spicy.
11:08Jeff.
11:09Perhaps a margarita or something.
11:10Goldblum.
11:11That's Jeff Goldblum.
11:12This was all thanks to his perfect capture of Goldblum's halting, whimsical cadence.
11:17The buzz eventually reached Goldblum, who reacted with clear delight in a Vanity Fair segment reviewing impressions of him, praising the creativity behind Friend's take.
11:25Yes.
11:26Ah.
11:27Okay.
11:28Scoop-a-da-pow-pow.
11:29There may be trouble ahead.
11:32But while there's moonlight.
11:34Boop-a-da-pow.
11:35Scoop.
11:36Ah.
11:37Brrrr.
11:38The two later crossed paths, where Goldblum brought Matt on stage for an impromptu moment.
11:44The actor fully played along, echoing Friend's lines and heightening the bit.
11:48Chas, it's just like this.
11:50You taught me, you taught me about myself.
11:52Right.
11:53I sort of start to do a version of me based on his impersonation.
11:56Mr. Goldblum.
11:57The enthusiastic reaction made it clear that Friend had nailed not just the voice, but the
12:01Goldblum's spirit.
12:02Number 9.
12:03Eddie Murphy as Stevie Wonder.
12:04I know Stevie Wonder, man.
12:05And he's like, you have to mellow out when you do Stevie.
12:07You're too tense.
12:08I'm not.
12:09There aren't many who can truly capture the essence of Stevie Wonder quite like Eddie Murphy.
12:13Wonder as Stevie Wonder.
12:14Stevie you talking about?
12:15And I'd like to say that all the people in the world are dating.
12:18His impression perfectly mirrors Wonder's distinctive vocal patterns and signature head nods, not
12:23to mention that effortlessly cool stage presence.
12:26Keeping the impression playful, Murphy's ear and rhythm makes his homage both hilarious
12:30and brilliantly accurate.
12:31And Stevie loved it, even appearing with him on Saturday Night Live in a sketch.
12:35You gotta loosen up, see?
12:36You gotta move your hands.
12:37You gotta go like...
12:39Listen to me.
12:40Watch this.
12:41Okay.
12:42Eddie Amour, lovely as a summer day.
12:48Wonder even later volunteered to be Murphy's musical guest.
12:51These all add up to a mutual respect and a genuinely fun relationship between the pair.
12:55If you don't say nothing, the credits will be rolling and Stevie going, and I'd like
12:58to think.
13:00Number 8.
13:01Larry David as Bernie Sanders.
13:03Hello.
13:04Hello.
13:05Hello.
13:06Enough with the hellos.
13:07Let's do this.
13:08Impressions work because the subject and performer seem cosmically linked, and that's
13:12certainly the case for this one.
13:13During the 2016 election cycle, Larry David's SNL portrayal of the Vermont Senator became
13:18an instant sensation, nailing Bernie's fiery anti-billionaire rants and signature exasperation,
13:24including jokes about owning only one pair of underwear.
13:26I own one pair of underwear.
13:28That's it.
13:29Some of these billionaires, they got three, four pairs.
13:33When David returned to host, SNL delivered the ultimate payoff, a merging of his on-screen
13:38persona with Bernie Sanders in a hilarious sketch.
13:40You coughed into your hand, then shake it after a cough.
13:44No, I didn't.
13:45Shake my hand.
13:46No, no.
13:47You specifically coughed into your head.
13:48I saw it.
13:49Sanders would go on to joke that David should stand in for him in his next rally, because
13:52he does me better than I do.
13:54Honestly, though, it was hard to argue.
13:56Getting you a good job for four years and you're complaining.
14:00Number 7.
14:01McKinnon as Ellen DeGeneres.
14:08Kate McKinnon arrived on SNL in top form, and her breakout impression of Ellen DeGeneres
14:12instantly became one of her best bits.
14:14McKinnon captured everything about the then-talk show Queen so well that Ellen herself couldn't
14:19resist weighing in.
14:20It's time for a commercial break now.
14:23When we come back, Johnny's gonna give me an Oscar makeover where he puts me in a gown
14:27and heels and it's gonna look real weird.
14:30In 2013, McKinnon made her first appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show, where the host
14:34totally encouraged her and asked about perfecting the impression.
14:37I've since memorized it, so I went back and I watched it and I made notes on the way that
14:42you say all the different letters and it's the way that you say R that really sunk in.
14:48The rapport was so strong that McKinnon became a recurring guest, even getting to take over
14:52Ellen's chair in a later appearance.
14:54Copies of my book.
14:55Oh yeah.
14:56It comes in a little teeny tiny one.
14:58Oh, teeny tiny book.
14:59Like a little, little baby goat.
15:01It's so cute.
15:03When the subject of an impression not only approves, but amplifies it, you know the parody
15:07has crossed into affectionate tribute territory.
15:09Number six, Ben Stiller as Tom Cruise.
15:12In order to do my job, I have to ask myself, who is Tom Cruise?
15:17Ben Stiller's Tom Cruise impression has become one of Hollywood's most mutually endorsed parodies.
15:22It dates back to the late 90s and early 2000s, when Stiller frequently spoofed Cruise's
15:27trademark intensity during award show sketches, most famously the 2000 MTV Movie Awards.
15:32During a Mission Impossible 2 parody, Ben played Cruise's over-eager stunt double, Tom Cruise.
15:38What's TBS?
15:39Taps.
15:40Well, why didn't you just say taps?
15:42The bit went viral long before social media, and Tom wasn't just a good sport about it.
15:46He loved it.
15:47Yep, Cruise was publicly praising the parody.
15:49Their repeated collaborations made it crystal clear.
15:52Tom Cruise didn't merely approve, he embraced it all.
16:07Number five, Jim Carrey as Clint Eastwood.
16:10Be careful what you wish for, punk.
16:14Jim Carrey has been doing Clint Eastwood since his early stand-up days, exaggerating the legendary actor's squint, gravely delivery, and his slow burn intensity.
16:22The bit carried into films like The Mask and Bruce Almighty, where Carrey dialed it up to cartoonish perfection.
16:27Now you have to ask yourself one question.
16:30Do I feel lucky?
16:33Well, do ya, punks?
16:40But the clearest sign Eastwood approved came in 1996 at the AFI Life Achievement Award honoring him.
16:45Carrey took the stage and launched into a full Eastwood parody.
16:49For my audition I was put on tape singing an Alice Cooper song, but when I finally met Clint, he just said to me,
16:55I love that tape, and I show it to all my friends.
17:02The cameras caught Clint laughing and nodding along.
17:05That reaction confirmed everything.
17:06The Eastwood genuinely enjoyed Carrey's rubber-faced send-up.
17:09Number four, Dana Carvey as George H.W. Bush.
17:12This might be the gold standard of presidential approval.
17:26George Bush Sr. was a bit of a tough nut to crack on SNL, but Dana Carvey found a way and nailed it.
17:31If we do go to war, I can assure you, it will not be another Vietnam, because we have learned, well, the simple lesson of Vietnam.
17:40Stay out of Vietnam.
17:43His slightly nasal voice and not-gonna-do-it catchphrases became instant hits.
17:47We're on the track.
17:48We're getting the job done.
17:49We can do more, but let's stay the course.
17:52A thousand points of light.
17:54But the real surprise was Bush Sr.'s reaction.
17:57He adored it.
17:58Heck, he even invited Carvey to perform the impression at his White House Christmas party in 1992, where the two met and joked side by side.
18:05Their good-natured rapport didn't end there.
18:07They remained friendly for decades, exchanging calls and visits until Bush's passing in 2018.
18:12Number three, Ariana Grande as Celine Dion.
18:14Hitting the right notes is one thing.
18:16Earning Celine's praise is another.
18:18When Ariana appeared on The Tonight Show and gave a pitch-perfect Celine Dion impression during Jimmy Fallon's Wheel of Musical Impressions game, audiences were stunned.
18:26I can't feel my face when I'm with you.
18:29Not only did she match Dion's tone, but she nailed her dramatic flair, all with an uncanny accuracy.
18:35Grande would bring the impression to SNL on occasion also.
18:38There were nights when the wind was so cold.
18:43So what did Celine Dion think of it?
18:45In an interview with Elvis Duran, Ariana relayed that when she met the singer, Celine said her impression made her pee.
18:50We're pretty sure that's a ringing endorsement.
18:52When I met Celine, she told me, she was like, um, when I saw you, I peed.
18:56I peed.
18:57Number two, Chloe Fineman as Drew Barrymore.
19:00When Chloe Fineman debuted her breathy, whimsical Drew Barrymore impression on SNL, fans immediately noted how spot on it was.
19:07I am just like you.
19:09A boho, free spirit, mommy, mother, movie star since I was sick.
19:15But the real highlight came when Fineman visited Drew's daytime talk show.
19:18Drew proceeded to shower her with praise, showing she could take a joke and laugh right along with it.
19:22I'm really nervous to meet you.
19:24I'm so excited.
19:25I'm such a fan.
19:26I'm your biggest fan.
19:27You're gonna make me cry.
19:28The audience seemed to love Barrymore's good-natured response just as much as Fineman's uncanny mimicry.
19:33The actress-slash-daytime talk show even bowed to her impersonator.
19:37Well, if that's not the ultimate stamp of approval, we're not sure what is.
19:40Thank you for allowing me to be on your show.
19:43Drew, this is your show.
19:46Oh my god, thank you.
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20:04Number 1. Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton
20:07I think you're really gonna like the Hillary Clinton that my team and I have created for this debate.
20:13She's warm but strong. Flawed, yet perfect.
20:17Few impressions come with this level of respect.
20:20Yep, Kate McKinnon's Hillary Clinton evolved from political satire to something deeper.
20:24Patrice, I strive to be a positive role model for all children.
20:29Children like my daughter Chelsea and my granddaughter Chelsea Jr.
20:33During the 2016 election, McKinnon zeroed in on Clinton's tightly controlled public persona, mining comedy from her reluctance to show frustration or let loose the way some of her male counterparts did.
20:44The result was a portrayal that was as sharp as it was hilariously on point.
20:48Clinton herself revealed in her memoir that she was pleased with McKinnon's take and that it moved her.
20:52I wish I had her talent. She's just an amazing person.
20:57It was certainly an impression that captured both the humor and humanity in such a heavy political moment.
21:01God, it must be fun to scream and cuss in public. I have to do all mine into tiny little jars.
21:09Did any of these celebrity-approved impressions catch you off guard? Drop your thoughts in the comments down below.
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