Jim Bailey (entertainer)

Infobox actor
name = Jim Bailey
imagesize =
caption =
birthname = James William Bailey
birthdate = birth date and age|1949|1|10
birthplace = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
deathdate =
othername =
occupation = Film, television,stage actor, concert, recording artist
spouse =
website = http://www.jimbaileyweb.com

James William Bailey (born January 10, 1949) is an American singer, actor, and female impersonator.

Early years

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Career

Bailey has appeared in over seventy television and movie roles, including appearances on "Ally McBeal", "Here's Lucy", "Night Court", "Switch", "Vegas", "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", "The Ed Sullivan Show", "The Carol Burnett Show", "The Merv Griffin Show", and "Late Night With David Letterman".

Bailey's fame began in the late 1960s when he created the illusions of singers Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and Peggy Lee by vocally mimicking them in his own operatically trained voice. Bailey has appeared on stages throughout the world, including headlining in Las Vegas, and performing at New York's Carnegie Hall and The Palladium Theater in London. Bailey has also performed for the British Royal Family and for United States Presidents.

History

From the mid to the late 1960s, Bailey played summer stock in such shows as "The Boyfriend", "Calamity Jane" with Ginger Rogers and "Bells are Ringing".

During this time, Bailey was introduced to and became friends with Phyllis Diller. Bailey learned to re-create the actress's personality and added her to his repertoire. In 1968, Bailey moved to Los Angeles and put together his own nightclub act, performing at the Redwood Room, this time as Judy Garland. When Garland herself came to see Bailey's show, she jumped up on to the stage and asked him to sing a song with her. Bailey agreed and the two sang a duet of "Bye Bye Blackbird", which Bailey had intended on singing as himself. The two later became friends, and Garland became Bailey's mentor. The two remained friends until Garland's death in 1969. In 1970, Bailey was booked in Las Vegas and became an overnight sensation. He appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show", which helped launch an international career.

Bailey's success continued as he appeared for performances at New York's Carnegie Hall, the London Palladium, and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. He then guest starred on the popular television variety show "The Carol Burnett Show", where the two sang a comedic duet of "Happy Days Are Here Again" with Bailey appearing as Barbra Streisand, and made several appearances on Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show". Also in 1973, Bailey teamed with Liza Minnelli, daughter of his mentor Judy Garland, in Las Vegas. The two put together a concert recreating the performances by Minnelli and her late mother in London, with Bailey standing in as Garland. The "Judy and Liza Concert" met with great success. Later, Minnelli made a gift to Bailey of one of her late mother's treasured rings.

The mid 1970s and early 1980s saw Bailey as a mainstay in showrooms in Las Vegas. He was also booked for concerts around the world, including the O'Keefe Center in Toronto, Canada, and venues in Australia and South America. In the next few years, Bailey returned to acting in more episodic television work in character roles that were created especially for him because of the uniqueness of his talent.They include Switch (TV series),Vega$ and The Rockford Files

However, Bailey also performed at some major venues. He performed at Super Bowl XII, did a show for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip of England, performed at the 1984 Olympics opening ceremony, and at The People's Choice Awards. In the late 1980s, Bailey turned his sights once again to television and feature films, including a role on "Night Court" as Chip/Charlene, Dan's John Larroquette friend from college who had had a sex change, "Vultures in Paradise" with Stuart Whitman and Yvonne De Carlo, "The Surrogate (1984 film)" with Shannon Tweed, and "Penitentary 3" with Anthony Geary and Leon Isaac Kennedy.

At the start of the new millennium, Bailey did a guest starring role on "Ally McBeal" as "Harold Dale." He continued with concerts and theater performances, including a critically acclaimed performances in Charles Rohm Smith's "Tallulah and Tennesee", co-starring Bette Garrett as Estelle Winwood , Mae West at the Club El Fey and Me and Jezebel. Other theatrical work includes “Niteclub Confidential”, “Jeffrey” and “Fragile Fire”, directed by Paul Winfield.

Bailey continues performing his characterizations, including benefits for AIDS research charities around the world. As of July 2008, Bailey is slated to appear in Hollywood and London which makes it 40 Years since he first performed as Garland in 1968.

External links

* [http://www.jimbaileyweb.com Official site]
*imdb|id=0047312 |name=Jim Bailey
* [http://www.videosforfamily.com/jimbailey.htm Jim Bailey: An Interview/Memories of Judy Garland]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/jimbaileyarchives]
* [http://www.youtube.com/profile?user/jimbaileyarchives] Jim Bailey on youtube]

* [http://www.myspace.com/jimbaileyentertainer Jim Bailey' Myspace Page]