‘Man of 200 voices’ speaks at Incirlik

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. S.J.B. Bryant
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFPN) --  Comedian and impersonator, Rich Little, performed Dec. 13 here as part of the United Service Organization and Armed Forces Entertainment 2004 Holiday Tour.

More than 200 people listened to the comic imitate the voices of movie stars and U.S. presidents after Incirlik contestants took the stage in an amateur comedy contest.

“It’s no big deal to be an impersonator,” Mr. Little said. “Everyone can do at least one or two impersonations.

Mr. Little, who got his start on the Judy Garland Show in 1963, portrayed at least 30 different personalities during his performance, including old favorites like Bob Hope, George Burns, John Wayne, Kirk Douglas and Jimmy Stewart.

“I was worried that some of these (servicemembers) didn’t even know who I was,” said the Canadian-born comedian. “But I bet their parents have heard of me. I’ve actually signed more autographs for parents of the troops so the real concern was that I was going to impersonate people these 20-to-24 year olds don’t know. But I’ve chosen some well-known characters for tonight’s show. Some that most of them can identify with.”

Staying in-tune with his audience is very important Mr. Little, said. That is why he added more “up-to-date” characters to his repertoire such as Sylvester Stallone, President George W. Bush, Dr. Phil McGraw California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mr. Little, his wife, Marie, and his tour manager also toured the base and talked to children at the Incirlik school.

“They didn’t know who I was,” Mr. Little said. “But they laughed anyway. They just called me the man that ‘talks funny.’”

Incirlik is Mr. Little’s third stop on his tour. He also performed at Aviano and Ghedi air bases in Italy. This is the first time he has performed for servicemembers overseas since he shared the stage with Bob Hope in South Korea more than 20 years ago.

“I’m honored to be here tonight,” said Mr. Little in his best Ronald Reagan voice. “Like so many Americans, we have so much respect for the service men and women. Everybody back home is very appreciative of what these people are doing here, their great sacrifices -- especially leaving friends and family for the holidays.”

The Littles also donated more than 200 toys to the base chapel for a local orphanage.

“We wanted to spread the holiday cheer to not only our American (servicemembers), but to those less fortunate as well,” Mrs. Little said. “We just thought that after we make the (Americans) smile, we could make the holidays a little brighter for others too.”