Michael Winslow

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Michael Winslow

Born September 6, 1958 (1958-09-06) (age 49)
Spokane, Washington, United States
Official website

Michael Winslow (born September 6, 1958 in Spokane, Washington) is an American actor and comedian known as the "Man of 10,000 Sound Effects" for his ability to make realistic sound effects using only his voice.

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[edit] Life and career

He attended the Lisa Maile School of Acting, Modeling, and Imaging. He is best known for his role as Sgt. Larvell "Motor Mouth" Jones in the Police Academy series of movies and TV shows.

Michael Winslow uses his motivational speaking skills at business meetings for major investment banks such as Goldman Sachs.

[edit] References in other media

  • In 2007, Winslow was featured as himself in promos for ESPN Radio. The hook of the promo is without ESPN's constant update, a listener's sports knowledge would be as dated as 80's icon Winslow.
  • Also in 2007, Winslow was featured in a Geico commercial with a real customer (Alex Klein), performing his signature sound effects in response to the customer's Geico experience.
  • In the first season of the animated program King of the Hill, Bobby Hill practices making sound effects while his mother cleans up his room. When asked what he's doing he replies, "I gonna be a stand up comedian one day and make noises like that guy from Police Academy."
  • Homer Simpson from The Simpsons references Michael Winslow's character in the Police Academy series, Larvell Jones, well known for his sound effects. "We live in a society of laws, why do you think I took you to see all those Police Academy movies? For fun? Well I didn't hear anybody laughing! Did you? Except at that guy who made sound effects." Homer then proceeds to laugh to himself as he attempts to duplicates Winslow's sound effects ability.
  • Michael Winslow was parodied by Phil LaMarr in a MADtv skit mocking Hollywood Squares.
  • In the Family Guy episode "Family Guy Viewer Mail #1" (during the sub episode “Li'l Griffins”), the characters are required to stay in a haunted house to impress Lois. They hear what appears to be the sound of a wolf, but discover it's just Michael Winslow making noises, which in turn scares them even more.
  • The episode Sausage Fest of Robot Chicken featured Winslow's character from Police Academy as well as the other police officers. They are Professor Xavier's new mutant team after the old team is killed. Throughout the sketch whenever Professor Xavier moved his wheelchair he heard screeching noises. Eventually Xavier realized that Michael Winslow made these types of noises, so telepathically erased his mind. Afterward he finds that the chair had been making the noises after all. Michael Winslow voiced his character as well as the accompanying sound effects. He also performed an alternate ending theme for the credits of that episode.
  • Winslow was spoofed on In Living Color, with David Alan Grier making sound effects. Although the biggest punchline was a narrator saying "You remember Michael Winslow from Spaceballs, as well as Police Academy 1, Police Academy 2...." and continues naming the Police Academy films up to a non-existent Police Academy 8 and 9.

[edit] Live appearances

  • As of May 24, 2008 he appeared at Scout Con 2008 at the Tampa convention center.
  • As of summer 2007, Michael Winslow has been promoting a stand up comedy tour.[citation needed]
  • Appeared at Dragoncon 2007 (Aug 31-Sept 3 2007). Appeared in the annual Dragoncon parade where he rode in a car behind Erik Estrada, who was riding a (non-police) motorcycle. Winslow occasionally provided sound effects for Estrada's motorcycle along with police siren effects as Estrada circled his car.
  • In the early 1980s Mr Winslow was easily found perfecting his art as a street performer on Hollywood Boulevard just down the street from Grauman's Chinese Theatre. At one point he had a notice indicating how many consecutive nights he had been a live performer. He managed this as he worked around filming schedules.
  • On Tuesday 19th February 2008, Michael appeared live on BBC Radio 1 on the Scott Mills Show at 16:30.
  • On Saturday 23rd February 2008, Michael appeared live on Harborough FM on the Mark and Nina Show at 17.30.
  • Appeared in Dublin City University, Ireland on February 20, 2008 and NUI Maynooth on February 27, 2008.
  • On Thursday 1st May 2008, appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno

[edit] Selected filmography

[edit] External links

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