Award-winning tribute artist Dawnn Behrens as Anna Nicole Smith

Dawnn Behrens as Anna Nicole Smith                                            (Photo/File)

Dawnn Behrens is an award-winning tribute artist as Anna Nicole Smith and Marilyn Monroe.  Dawnn's talents do not just lie in her ability to look like these divas, but she sounds - speaks and sings - like them as well. 

Dawnn is a gifted voice artist with a background in acting, proving that by recently winning an acting award in Las Vegas.

Best Actress Award, Dawnn won, at The Reel Awards held at the Flamingo Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She earned this award for appearing in the film Bamboo Shark as Anna Nicole Smith. 

"Sir Sean Connery & Anna Nicole"

This very talented entertainer is based out of Central Florida. She performed at Universal Studios portraying another celebrity, the ultimate blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe. She has also performed all over the U.S. including Las Vegas and Puerto Rico.  Japan and Germany are other countries Dawnn has performed with her uncanny impressions and phenomenal live shows.

"Anna Nicole" (Photo/File)

Dawnn was born and grew up in Taylorville Ilinois where she attended Assumption High School . She is the maternal granddaughter of the late Carl and Dorothy Tankersley of Assumption. Her paternal Grandparents are Virgina Bilyeu of Moweaqua and the late Lyle Bilyeu also of Moweaqua.

Dawnn began portraying Anna Nicole Smith several years ago as she was often mistaken for her when she ventured to tourist destinations like Universal Studios City Walk and Disney's Pleasure Island. She certainly had the entertainment background for it, and with a little wardrobe and personality alterations, she became Anna Nicole. 

Anna Nicole (Photo/Cohen)

In or out of Anna wardrobe, Dawnn depicts Anna Nicole, almost like a twin sister.  When Dawnn adds the inflections and mannerisms, it is quite eery how similar they really are, or unfortuantely were (with the, way too soon, and sudden death of Anna Nicole).  Note: Sir Sean is portrayed by Dennis Keogh.

Due to their similarities Dawnn was cast as Anna Nicole in the new feature film Bamboo Shark, as well as in an Apprentice Spoof commercial. Major corporations, and theme parks such as Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens have booked her in many stage productions. Dawnn can be seen in some of her tribute shows at Almost Anna Nicole, Anna Nicole Smith~Marilyn Monroe and Lady Luck, as well as her showcasings at tribute artist conventions.

Dawnn, too, has been the topic of numerous stories on her likeness to the late Anna Nicole both on TMZ, and in print with such magazines as The Globe, The Enquirer and more.  And as many are heard to say,

If you are seeking a qualified, experienced, and exciting entertainer for your event, book this performer. You will be very impressed!"

Which one is Anna Nicole?

Dawnn is not only a top notch tribute artist but is an entertainer, in her own right, based out of Central Florida. Universal Studios contracted Dawnn to portray the ultimate blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe for many years.  During that period she traveled extensively promoting the park. She also promoted various corporate clients at personal appearances, events, trade shows, television and radio.

Audiences all over the U.S.A, including Las Vegas,Puerto Rico,and major casinos and cruise lines have enjoyed her performances. She also has toured Japan and Germany with her uncanny impression and phenomenal live show "Tribute to Marilyn".

Dawnn as Marilyn Monroe

This successful transformation inspired her to research and develop other new tributes to stars such as Lucille Ball, Mae West, Peggy Lee, Dolly Parton, Elvira, Patsy Cline and more. All of these additions make Dawnn a "one woman variety" show.

Now that many of the real stars have passed away, Dawnn is keeping their spirit alive with her fantastic impersonations. She is very well received by audiences of all ages wherever she performs.  Soon after the death of Anna Nicole, Dawnn met Joshua A. Perper, MD, the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Ms Smith.  That is a grim thing to think about, Anna Nicole's death, but during Dr. Perper's and Dawnn's conversation, Dawn says,

Dr. Perper did tell me that he could see the resemblance between myself and Anna Nicole."

Dr. Perper & Dawnn

Before performing as a tribute artist, Dawnn was a part time drama student at Rollins College, and was with Lisa Maile Image and Talent in Winter Park Florida.  Winter Park agents regularly booked her as both a print model and actress. As a print model she was featured on posters, brochures, magazines and newspapers.

An independant sitcom pilot cast her for a principle role. Dawnn was also on set during the filming of Ron Howard's  Parenthood, TV series Superboy and The New Leave it to Beaver.  She was also cast in bombshell roles, such as her appearance in the the German sitcom Florida Lady where she played a shapley nurse.

Dawnn as herself

Dawnn's tribute artist career took most of her time, and she left "Hollywood East" behind for the love of stage and interaction with her audiences some of which are at showcases at tribute artist conventions, such as Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Tribute Artists in Orlando, Florida and the Celebrity Impersonators Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Please do not go away thinking that Dawnn is strictly a tribute artist, that she is, and a very talented one at that.  But Dawnn's abilitiy to sing and entertain as herself should not be confused with her tribute acts - Dawnn is an entertainer in all ways, ask anyone who has seen her perform.  Audiences love her, she really knows how to get their attention and keep it.  Thanks Dawnn!