Michael Winslow

Michael Winslow

Michael Winslow in 2008
Birth name Michael Leslie Winslow
Born (1958-09-06) September 6, 1958
Spokane, Washington
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

References

  1. ↑ "Michael Winslow - The Man Of 10,000 Sound Effects". BroadwayWorld.com. 2008-07-12. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
  2. ↑ Michael on BBC Daybreak (2013-02-15). "Man of 10,000 Sound Effects". Michael Winslow. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  3. ↑ Michael on BBC Daybreak (2013-02-15). "Behind the Sound". Michael Winslow. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  4. ↑ "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  5. ↑ "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  6. ↑ "Welcome to PhykenMedia". Phykenmedia.com. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  7. ↑ "Wizard Ops for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store". itunes.apple.com. 2012-11-06. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  8. ↑ "Wizard Ops - Android-apps op Google Play". Play.google.com. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  9. ↑ "Wizard Ops". Wizard Ops. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  10. ↑ hallowsnight (9 November 2007). "Geico spot with Michael Winslow". Retrieved 22 October 2016 – via YouTube.
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