Celebrity tribute artists and lookalikes - closest to the real thing

    Tatiana Turan as Angelina's Lara Croft              (Photo/courtesy)

Celebrity tribute artists and lookalikes have long been an asset in the entertainment industry. 

"Sir Sean" and "Lara Croft" begin this line up, with "Forest Gump" running right along at a good clip.

Run, Forrest, run!" 

These entertainers are gifted talent in their own right, some have been entertaining even longer than the celebrities themselves.  It will be impossible to mention, let alone feature, each lookalike or tribute artist that exists, in this one article alone.

Some of the lookalike talent even portray more than one celebrity, but only one has been credited for each.  Represented are but a few of the many actors, tribute artists and lookalikes that are out of this world!

"Michelle Obama"

Each artist more than qualifies to have a story written about his or herself - all their funny, exciting, sad and scary stories relating to personal experiences as lookalikes.  Why there are even cruises with lookalike entetertainment, some are called murdery mystery shows.  

One murder mystery show is a Ramsey's Replicas production that works in cooperation with Murder Mystery Vacations.

Acting is a huge part of the skills needed to pull off such a lookalike challenge, and a challenge it is.  Think about it, the "original" celebrity, be it a singer, dancer, actor, politician, ACTION character or comedian, becomes known to his fans in any way he decides to, and it becomes history.

"President Obama"

If or when that celebrity decides to make a change, say a physical change, a hair cut or a tattoo, then that becomes a part of them for as long as they decide it should be.  The lookalike of a celebrity, however, has to be able to keep up with and make such identical changes.

Lookalikes basically have to pretend and act as the real thing in and around their "real" lives as well.  As the responsibility of being a lookalike does not always stop when they are not working as one.  It can continue at the grocery store, mall, post office, barber, beauty parlor....

"Captain Jean-Luc Picard"

Those who are professional tribute artists and looklikes, making a living at what they do, know that the fans out there will scrutinize them much more if they do not appear 100% as the  "real thing." 

When the real celeb makes a change, even by mistake, it becomes part of them - when a lookalike makes a change that is not identical to his co-hart's, it can destroy him.  Fans can be very critical!  Physical changes are just part of all the "facade."  Mannerisms and voice help to round off the whole package. 

"Whoopi"

Acting the part helps to really pull it all together.  And the lookalike has to know, morally and legally, just how far to go with it.  Going too far with that perfect look can also be disasterous, and the media is not forgiving.

There have been a few TV shows featuring such talent, there are even conventions that support and promote tribute artists and lookalikes, allowing the talent to network.

"Johnny Depp"

A few of the reality shows have been The Next Best Thing, The Family Feud and Live with Regis and Kelly, which, the latter, just aired a lookalike search and contest.

Two of the conventions and an awards event are the Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Tribute Artists, Celebrity Impersonators Convention  and The Reel Awards.

With all these personalities happening one just might need to see a psychologist!  Why that might just be able to be arranged...

"Dr. Phil"