There was guy impersonating Bush on Leno last night

[soleft]

He looked almost exactly like him and he had his mannerisms down cold. It was truly terrifying. I've never seen him before - is he a regular? Anyone know his real name?

[GalleryGod]

1. I Saw him,too. Scary!

Wow! The mannerisms were scary ! Don't know his name,though. Must get a lot of private Party gigs out there! What a hoot!

[Lisa]

2. I think that's Steve Bridges

He actually doesn't resemble Bush much in real life (he's younger and balding) -- it's all done using makeup. Yes, he's a regular (once every couple of months, or so). Some of his previous appearances are archived on Leno's website.

He's also played Bush on some TV shows (like NCIS, and that one Whoopi Goldberg used to have). He's a professional impressionist but seems to have focused a lot on Bush lately because he's able to get corporate gigs. Evidently it pays enough to cover the costs of the makeup, costuming, scriptwriting -- and even a fake White House briefing room stage set (which he uses to make video "messages from the President").



http://www.stevebridges.com

[Lisa]

4. here are pics of him during the makeup procedure (a couple of hours)

http://www.ppi.cc/ppi_players/kevin_haney2.htm


He does a good job on the voice and mannerisms, and his facial structure is similar enough that they can attach latex prosthetics and have him pass for Bush, even under pretty close inspection. (I still think that his eyes aren't quite close enough together, but of course he can't do anything about that .... his face is a bit longer than Bush's, but when he tilts his head forward (watch for this on the Leno appearances -- he generally does it at least once each time) the resemblance is much closer due to the foreshortening. (I think he knows this too, and does it on purpose.)

Personally I think it would be hilarious to put the makeup on someone like Tim Robbins -- Bridges seems to admire Bush quite a bit (he deliberately goes with the folksy/dumb impression of him, nothing that would really challenge Bush's ethics or intentions, and Bar herself has said as much, since she's actually seen the act). Bridges is a part-time evangelical preacher, and uses celebrity voices in his sermons (though I don't know whether he's ever used his full Bush outfit for that).

[nytemare]

5. I think the Leno website at NBC.com has clips of him.

He has been on there every so often. He is the best out there that does Bush, really.

[jackelope72]

3. I like him.

He's got Bush down to a tee, and seems to have no problem with showing him up to be the idiot he truly is.