Rich Little

Biography

​Born in Canada, Rich Little got his start just like almost every other comic of his time - night clubs. he was a very popular comic in these clubs, but if there was one thing Rich was best known for, it was impersonations. He studied the voices of many stars his whole life, stars like James Stewart, Johnny Carson, Don Rickles, Dean Martin, Truman Capote and George Burns. In the late 1960s, Rich was dubbed "the best impressionist in the world." During the 1970s, however, a rivalry began between him and fellow impressionist Frank Gorshin, who is five years older. Ultimately, Rich overpowered Gorshin and remained the best impressionist in the world. In 1973 Rich became more associated with Dean Martin and made countless appearances on the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts," honoring most of the people he impersonated. Besides impressions, Rich also had a successful career as a narrator in many stories, made many appearances in TV series, and hosted many TV shows. He also made his first movie, as Otterlake in The Other Side of the Wind (1972) in 1972. His acting career wasn't as successful as his impressions, but he did have a great talent. After the 1980s, Rich calmed down and moved away from the limelight. In 1998, Rich took a look back at his most remembered moments of his career: his appearances on the "Dean Martin Roasts," in an infomercial to promote the Roast videos. Rich says he will ALWAYS remember those moments.

Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Love Boat

Petticoat Junction

Futurama

Murder, She Wrote

The Nanny

Hawaii Five-O

All Movies (41)

• Big Life2023 · as Max Van Engelen
• The Other Side of the Wind2018 · as Party Guest
• They'll Love Me When I'm Dead2018 · as Self
• Davi's Way2018 · as Self
• Being Canadian2015 · as Self
• Futurama: Bender's Game2008 · as Rich Little (voice)
• The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts1998 · as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
• The Late Shift1996 · as Johnny Carson
• Precious Moments: Who's Who at the Zoo?1995
• Bebe's Kids1992 · as President Nixon
• Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys1992 · as Self
• Night of 100 Stars III1990 · as Self
• Rodney Dangerfield: Opening Night at Rodney's Place1989 · as Johnny Carson
• Happy Hour1987 · as Mr. X
• One Crazy Summer1986 · as Disc Jockey
• The Canadian Conspiracy1986 · as Self
• TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines1986 · as Self
• Better Off Dead...1985 · as Additional Voices (voice)
• The Raccoons and the Lost Star1983 · as Narrator (voice)
• Starfest: The Stars Salute Public Television 19831983
• Rich Little's Robin Hood1983 · as Groucho Marx as Robin Hood / Humphrey Bogart as Prince John / John Wayne as Little John / Carol Channing as Maid Marion / Laurel & Hardy as Sheriffs of Nottingham / George Burns as Alan-a-Dale / Various Characters
• The Raccoons on Ice1981 · as Narrator (voice)
• Dirty Tricks1981 · as Robert Brennan
• The Christmas Raccoons1980 · as Storyteller (voice)
• Rich Little's Christmas Carol1978 · as All
• Mickey's 501978 · as Self
• The Royal Variety Performance 19771977
• US Against the World1977 · as Self
• Mitzi & 100 Guys1975 · as Self
• Doris Day Today1975 · as Self
• The Perry Como Christmas Show1974 · as Himself / Perry Mason / Howard / Johnny Carson / Perry Como / Jack Benny
• The 1974 Annual Las Vegas Entertainment Awards1974 · as Self - Presenter
• Really, Raquel1974 · as Various Characters
• Another Nice Mess1972 · as Richie
• Once Upon a Tour1972
• Daisy Town1971
• The Phynx1970 · as Voice in Box (voice)
• Pioneer Spirit1969
• Pink Ice1965 · as The Pink Panther / Devereaux / Hoskins (voice)
• Sink Pink1965 · as The Pink Panther (voice)
• Rich Little's Little Scams on Golf—

All TV Shows (62)

• Chip Chilla2023 · as Chupie Chilla (voice)
• Norm Macdonald Live2013 · as Self
• The Early Show1999 · as Self
• Futurama1999 · as Rich Little's Head as Howard Cosell (voice)
• Hollywood Squares1998 · as Self - Panelist
• The View1997 · as Self
• The Watcher1995
• The Nanny1993 · as IRS Appeals Officer
• LIVE with Kelly and Mark1988 · as Self - Guest
• The Raccoons1985
• MacGyver1985 · as Biff Arnold
• Murder, She Wrote1984 · as Barney Mapost
• Fantasy Island1978 · as Herbert Costigan
• The Love Boat1977 · as Steve Sorrell
• CHiPs1977 · as Stanley Woods
• Laugh-In1977 · as Guest Performer
• Laugh-In1977 · as Richard Nixon
• Laugh-In1977 · as Guest Performer (uncredited)
• The Brady Bunch Hour1977
• The Captain and Tennille1976 · as Self - Guest
• The Muppet Show1976 · as Self - Special Guest Star
• The Rich Little Show1976 · as Host
• Donny & Marie1976 · as Self
• Dinah!1974 · as Self
• Chico and the Man1974
• Police Woman1974
• The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts1973 · as Self
• The Julie Andrews Hour1972 · as Self
• Wait Till Your Father Gets Home1972
• The ABC Comedy Hour1972
• All About Faces1971
• All in the Family1971 · as Richard Nixon (voice) (uncredited)
• The Flip Wilson Show1970 · as Self
• Love, American Style1969 · as Ralph
• Love, American Style1969
• The Barbara McNair Show1969 · as Self
• The John Davidson Show1969 · as Self
• The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour1969 · as Self
• Here's Lucy1968 · as Rich Little
• Hawaii Five-O1968 · as Johnny Kling
• Your All American College Show1968
• The Dick Cavett Show1968 · as Self - Guest
• Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In1968 · as Self
• Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In1968 · as Self (uncredited)
• Mannix1967
• The Carol Burnett Show1967 · as Self
• That Girl1966 · as Andrew Marshall
• Love on a Rooftop1966 · as Stan Parker
• Green Acres1965 · as Mr. Fred (voice) (uncredited)
• The Hollywood Palace1964 · as Self - Impressionist
• The Judy Garland Show1963 · as Self
• Petticoat Junction1963 · as Rick Wayne
• The Merv Griffin Show1962 · as Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self - Guest Host
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Beverly Hillbillies1962 · as Rich Little
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self - Co-Host
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self - Guest
• The Wonderful World of Disney1954 · as Self
• The Bob Hope Show1950 · as Self
• The Ed Sullivan Show1948 · as Self
• Golden Globe Awards1944 · as Self - Presenter