Rich Little (born Richard Caruthers
Little) is a comedian best known for his celebrity
impersonations.
Little was one of three sons of a physician. Little
had a gift for impersonations since his school days
and began performing professionally in night clubs
at 17. He acted in Ottawa's Little Theatre and became
a successful disc jockey who frequently incorporated
impersonations into his show. In 1963, Little was asked
to audition by Mel Torme, who was producing a new variety
show for Judy Garland. Little's audition won him the
job and he broke into American show business.
Little was a frequent guest on variety and talk shows.
He was a regular guest on Dean Martin's Celebrity Roasts
in the 1970s. He was named Comedy Star of the Year
by the American Guild of Variety Artists in 1974. He
hosted The ABC Comedy Hour (also known as KopyKats)
in 1972, The Rich Little Show in 1976, and The New
You Asked For It in 1981. Little has also appeared
in several movies and released nine albums.
Little has been active in several charities including
the Juvenile Diabetes Fund and the Children's Miracle
Network. He has been named to Miami Children's Hospital
International Pediatrics Hall of Fame and been honored
by the naming of the Rich Little Special Care Nursery
at Ottawa Civic Hospital.
Little was married to Jeanne Worden from 1971 until
their divorce in 1989. The couple have a daughter,
Bria. Little married his current wife, Jeannette Markey,
in 1994.
While Little is still a Canadian citizen, he resides
in Las Vegas, Nevada where he performs regularly. |