Rich Little hails from Ottawa. He is truly a legendary voice actor and impressionist. Little captivated millions worldwide with his incredible comedy and mimicry. From a young age, he was passionate about acting and deeply fascinated by voice work. Little quickly gained fame in Canada’s capital for his exceptional ability to impersonate the voices of celebrities, politicians, and public figures. This remarkable talent earned him the nickname “The Man of a Thousand Voices.” Read more on ottawa-trend.com.
Acting in His Early Years
Little was born in Ottawa in 1938. He pursued acting from a young age. At just 11 years old, he appeared in two documentary films for Frank Crawley. During his youth, he also worked as an usher at Ottawa’s Elgin Theatre, where he honed his acting skills.
He began his amateur acting career on the stage of the Ottawa Little Theatre, where he received his first acting award. At 17, he and a friend won a talent contest on CBOT in Ottawa. This was his first paid gig, sparking the rapid rise of his acting career.
Rich Little’s Career and Success
Little began performing at local events and venues regularly. For a time, he also worked as an announcer on an Ottawa radio station. Eventually, he pursued his acting and comedy career in the United States. His first U.S. performance took place in the early 1960s. By the 1970s, he had gained widespread fame for his parody of Richard Nixon.
He also appeared in:
- The Julie Andrews Hour
- The Muppet Show
- Rich Little’s Christmas Carol
In addition to acting, Little worked as a voice artist and impressionist for various shows and programs, including:
- Terrible Joe Moran
- The Raccoons
- The Raccoons’ Christmas
- The Raccoons on Ice
- The Raccoons and the Lost Star
In the special We the People 200: The Constitutional Gala, Little impersonated historical figures such as:
- Franklin Roosevelt
- Edward Murrow
- John F. Kennedy
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Henry Fonda as Abraham Lincoln
- Winston Churchill
Rich Little also voiced himself in the animated series Futurama, which aired in 1999. In both episodes, he played a sports commentator. His head was preserved in the year 2999 and displayed at the Head Museum in New York. Later, he was joined by the Dixie Chicks in Bender’s Game. In the show, Little appeared as a commentator at The Ultimate Robot Fighting League and the Space Demolition Derby. His voice talents can be heard in episodes like Raging Bender and Bender’s Game.
Throughout his career, Little established himself as one of the most versatile and gifted performers in the acting industry. He contributed to countless television shows, films, commercials, and more. His incredible talent and charisma allowed him to voice a wide range of characters.
Despite his immense success, Little remained humble and approachable, always making time for his fans and fellow performers. He was also known for his generosity, frequently supporting charitable organizations.
His legacy continues to inspire aspiring actors. Rich Little from Ottawa remains a true legend in the world of voice acting and comedy. His extraordinary talent, warm personality, and generous spirit have touched the lives of countless people worldwide.
Even in his later years, Little continued to work in the film industry in the early 21st century. One of his last films was the 2018 documentary They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead.
