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June 03, 2007

Judy Thorburn - Vegas HappeningsBy Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com

Photos by Stephen Thorburn
unless otherwise noted


 Reel Awards and the 7th Annual Celebrity Impersonator Convention at the Imperial Palace

On Monday May 28 the 7th Annual Celebrity Impersonator Convention that brings together hundreds of top celebrity impersonators and tribute artists from all over the world, set up shop inside the Imperial Palace. So it seemed perfectly fitting that after 15 years in Los Angeles, the Reel Awards which honors the world’s best celebrity impersonators would finally follow suit and bring its 16th annual awards ceremonies to the same venue in Las Vegas, the city that is world renowned as home of the best impersonators and tribute acts. It also makes sense since both the Reel Awards and CIC are produced by the sister team of Janna and Alanna Joos, who run the agencies International Celebrity Images and Entertainment Express.

For the first time since its inception, the Reel Awards was held inside the Legends Showroom at the Imperial Palace, on the evening of May 27, the night before the CIC got under way. Prior to the awards, a Red Carpet event took place for a more up close photo opportunity with some of the look-alikes. Then it was on to the showroom for the evening’s main event, aptly billed as “Hollywood Goes Vegas”. Acting as “Mistresses of Ceremonies” was no other than Joan Rivers and Whoopie Goldberg. No, not really! But Dee Dee Hanson and Bettina Williams are such incredible dead ringers and sound a likes of the stars that you could almost swear they were the real thing. Both have the looks, voice, and mannerisms down pat. Add some very funny material and great chemistry between the two and you have the perfect emcees for a memorable evening filled with live music, comedy and dance performances, and of course, 17 awards (winners chosen by industry members) given to outstanding individuals who perform in the field of impersonations, plus a special Favorite Director/producer award given to the show’s producer/director Janna Joos.

Among the dozen or so tribute performances were Legends’ star Matt Lewis as Elvis Presley, Suzanne Goulet as Liza Minelli, Hollie Vest as Tina Turner, Suzanne Griffiths as Marilyn Monroe in a duet with Andrew DiMino as Dean Martin, Sherie Rae Parker as Bette Midler, Jay White as Neil Diamond, Inez Zak in gyrating form as Shakira and my personal favorites, Marty Edwards and Sandy Anderson as Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. The 17 Award categories included Best Actress and Actor, Best Television Performance, Rising Star Award, and Male and Female Life Achievement Awards among others. The big winner of the evening was Deborah Smith Ford who walked away with both Best Actress as “Trinity” from the “Matrix” movies, and Television Performance as “self” in a national TV commercial. Unfortunately, Jay Koch could not be there to receive his Life Achievement Award. It was presented posthumously for his impersonation of Ronald Reagan in films, Reagan Library functions and hundreds of personal appearances.

Special Celebrity Impersonators Photo Gallery

Janie Minick as Elizabeth Taylor

Bettina Williams and Dee Dee Hanson as Whoopie Goldberg and Joan Rivers

Double Reel Award winner Deborah Smith Ford for Best Actress as "Trinity" from the Matrix and Best TV Performance in a national TV commercial

Reel Award Rising Star winner Lisa Irion as Cher

Reel Award Best Video Performance winner Susan Griffiths as Marilyn Monroe in Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" video

Reel Awards winner for Impersonator you love to work with the Most - Joe Manuella as Robert DeNiro

Reel Award winner for Comedy - David Born as Robin WIlliams

Pop "N" Rock for Reel Award winner Simira Blinko as Tina Turner

Reel Awards Humanitarian winner Peter Banks as Austin Powers

Celebrity Impersonators as John Wayne and Lou Costello

Connie Garrett as Tina Turner

Harvey Phillips Blanc as Simon Cowell

Dawnn Behrens as Anna Nicole Smith

Susan Ritter as Ann-Margret

A Blues Brother Impersonator

Deborah Smith Ford as "Trinity"

Jami Edwards as Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Manson Impersonator

Robert Ensler as Donald Trump

Minnie Pearl Impersonator

Stuart Rigby as Tom Cruise

Various Celebrity Impersonators on the red carpet

Sandra Wood as Cher, unidentified Dolly Parton look-a-like and Vera Novak as Sophia Loren

Ozzy Osbourne Impersonator with Classic Crooner Reel Award winner Bob Pasch as Bing Crosby

William Portis as Wesley Snipes

Cab Calloway Impersonator

News Hound Reel Award winner Jack English as Jack Nicholson

Gary Allan as Jay Leno with Dean Martin Impersonator

Roy Orbison Impersonator

Ron Rodriguez as Captain Jack Sparrow

Charlie Chaplin Impersonator

Howard Stern Impersonator

Mattisen Thompson as Lucy from Narnia

Barbra Streisand Impersonator

Drew Carrey Impersonator

Tupac Sukur Impersonator

Mick Jagger Impersonator

Dianne Gordon as Beyonce

Rob Valentine as Alice Cooper

Tina Turner Impersonator

Terry Ray as Roy Orbison

Susan Goulet as Liza Minelli

Bob Phillips as Barney Pfife

Joe Lacoco as Wolfman Jack

Daniel Lopez as Johnny Depp

Davel as Bono

Brent Mendenhall as President George W. Bush

Dale Leigh as Bill Clinton

Two Elizabeth Taylor Impersonators

Manuel Caso as John Travolta

Oprah Impersonator

Roy Hammock as Willie Nelson

Reel Awards Country Hottest Hitter winner Sandy Anderson as Dolly Parton and Marty Edwards as Kenny Rogers

Cher and Sean Connery Impersonators

Steve Larkins as Freddy Mercury

Gary Brown as Austin Powers

Lyndall Grant as Arnold Schwarzenegger

Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand Impersonators

Janet Valentine as Marilyn Monroe