Michael Winslow
Michael Winslow | |
---|---|
Michael Winslow in 2008 | |
Birth name | Michael Leslie Winslow |
Born |
Spokane, Washington | September 6, 1958
Medium | Stand-up, film and television personality |
Nationality | American |
Years active | 1980–present |
Genres | Character comedy, physical comedy, improvisational comedy |
Subject(s) | Pop culture, American culture |
Spouse |
Belinda Church (m. 1985; d. 1993) 3 children Angela Baytops (m. 1997; div. 2001) Sharon Winslow (m. 2003; div. 2016) |
Notable works and roles |
Comedy Sound Smackdown Larvelle Jones in Police Academy Radar Technician in Spaceballs |
Website | http://www.therealmichaelwinslow.com/ |
Michael Leslie Winslow (born September 6, 1958) is an American actor, beatboxer and comedian billed as the "Man of 10,000 Sound Effects"[1] for his ability to make realistic sounds using only his voice. He is best known for his roles in all seven Police Academy films as Larvelle Jones. He has also appeared in Spaceballs, "Cheech and Chong's Next Movie", and a Cadbury commercial.
Early life
Winslow was born in Spokane, Washington, the son of Robert and Verdie Winslow.[2] He attended the Lisa Maile School of Acting, Modeling and Imaging.
Winslow grew up at Fairchild Air Force Base where, according to Winslow, he had few constant friends to call on. In order to pass his time, he would imitate the sounds of engines, animals, anything that made noise. Following his high school and college periods, he performed in nightclubs and theaters, where his sound imitation skills won him positive appraisal and enough money to move to and perform his act in Hollywood.[3]
Career
His first television appearance was on The Gong Show in which he squeezed in sound-alikes of Benji the movie dog, Star Trek, and Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze". He is best known for his role as Sgt. Larvelle "Motor Mouth" Jones in the Police Academy series of movies and TV shows. In 1985, Island released a 12" of Michael Winslow titled "I Am My Own Walkman". He also appeared as a radar operator in the movie Spaceballs, in which he performs all the sound effects during his scene himself. Mel Brooks (who wrote, directed, produced, and co-starred in the film), stated that by doing so, Winslow saved the film money. Winslow is also a motivational speaker. Since the fall of 2008, Winslow has hosted the motion picture television series called "Way Back Wednesday with Winslow" on the cable superstation WGN America, which features movies mostly released in the 1980s. Michael continues to perform stand-up comedy around the globe.
Michael Winslow debuted his own iPhone and iPod Touch apps in 2010, bringing his sound effects and comedy to a mobile platform. ThatsKungFu generates Winslow's kung fu fighting sounds when the device is swung in a fighting motion.[4] NoizeyMan, billed as the "World's Noiziest App", contains video, ringtones, sound effects, and mini games, all created by Michael Winslow.[5]
In 2011 Michael worked with Orlando, Florida based game development studio Phyken Media[6] on a mobile game for iOS[7] and Android platforms[8] entitled Wizard Ops Chapter 1,[9] providing all the sound effects for the game. He also lent his voice on Wizard Ops Tactics, a turn based tactical game and spiritual successor to the previous game.
He was also featured in a commercial for Geico Insurance during their "we hired a celebrity" ad campaign.[10]
Filmography
- Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (1980)
- Underground Aces (1981)
- Nice Dreams (1981)
- Space Stars (1981) (voice)
- Tag: The Assassination Game (1982)
- Lovelines (1984)
- Police Academy (1984)
- Alphabet City (1984)
- Gremlins (1984) (voice)
- Grandview, U.S.A. (1984)
- Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985)
- Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986)
- Zärtliche Chaoten (Germany) (1987)
- Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987)
- Spaceballs (1987)
- Buy & Cell (1987)
- Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988)
- Zärtliche Chaoten II (Germany) (1988)
- Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989)
- Far Out Man (1990)
- Extralarge (1993) (with Bud Spencer)
- Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994)
- Be Cool about Fire Safety (1996, TV) - Jose the Fire Hydrant (voice)
- Police Academy: The Series TV Series (1997–1998)
- The Trumpet of the Swan (2001) (voice)
- The Biggest Fan (2002)
- Lenny the Wonder Dog (2004)
- RoboDoc (2008)
- The History of the Typewriter recited by Michael Winslow (2010)
- Tosh.0 (2010)
- Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (29 July 2013) Comedy Sketch: The Michael Winslow Car Alarm & Musical Sit-In Guest
- The Jack and Triumph Show (2015)
- Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (2015)
- Lavalantula (2015)
- 2 Lava 2 Lantula (2016)
References
- ↑ "Michael Winslow - The Man Of 10,000 Sound Effects". BroadwayWorld.com. 2008-07-12. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
- ↑ Michael on BBC Daybreak (2013-02-15). "Man of 10,000 Sound Effects". Michael Winslow. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
- ↑ Michael on BBC Daybreak (2013-02-15). "Behind the Sound". Michael Winslow. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
- ↑ "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
- ↑ "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
- ↑ "Welcome to PhykenMedia". Phykenmedia.com. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
- ↑ "Wizard Ops for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store". itunes.apple.com. 2012-11-06. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
- ↑ "Wizard Ops - Android-apps op Google Play". Play.google.com. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
- ↑ "Wizard Ops". Wizard Ops. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
- ↑ hallowsnight (9 November 2007). "Geico spot with Michael Winslow". Retrieved 22 October 2016 – via YouTube.
External links
- Official website
- Agency profile
- Michael Winslow at the Internet Movie Database
- Interview with Heeb Magazine, August 2009