Jim Bailey (entertainer)
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Jim Bailey | |
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 Bailey in 1973 | |
| Born | James William Bailey January 10, 1938 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 30, 2015 (aged 77) Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation(s) | Film, television and stage actor, concert and recording artist |
James William Bailey (January 10, 1938 – May 30, 2015) was an American singer, film, television and stage actor, and
Early years
Bailey was born on January 10, 1938, in
Career
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Bailey appeared in over 70 television and movie roles, including appearances on
Bailey's fame began in the late 1960s when he created the "illusions" of singers Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and Peggy Lee by vocally imitating them in his own operatically trained voice. Bailey appeared on concert stages throughout the world, including headlining in Las Vegas at hotels such as The Thunderbird, Caesars Palace, The Desert Inn, The Sands, Harrah's, The Dunes and performing at New York City's Carnegie Hall a total of nine times and The Palladium Theater in London a total of 17 times. Bailey also performed for the British royal family twice and for four United States presidents.[5]
From 1966 through to 1968, Bailey played summer stock in such shows as The Boy Friend, Calamity Jane with Ginger Rogers, Bells are Ringing and Wildcat with Gale Storm.
During this time, Bailey was introduced to and became friends with Phyllis Diller. Bailey learned to re-create the comedian/actress's personality and later added her to his repertoire. In 1968, Bailey moved to Los Angeles and put together a nightclub act with Michael Greer, performing at the Redwood Room, this time adding Judy Garland to his repertoire. When Garland came to see Bailey's show, she jumped up onto 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.[6][4]
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
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.[7] While in London he performed on the legendary David Frost's show. 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 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Bailey was approached by Lucille Ball in 1972 after she saw him at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and asked him to guest star on her popular television show Here's Lucy. Ball was so impressed by Bailey and his performance, she titled the show Lucy and Jim Bailey, and she also threw a party for him after the show's taping. The two remained close friends until Ball's death in 1989. Bailey also became very close friends with Ball's daughter Lucie Arnaz. The two remained close friends, doing benefit performances in honor of her late mother and father at the Lucy Desi festival in Jamestown, New York. In 1973, Bailey was asked to return to Carnegie Hall for two nights to perform again. This time, he was approached by United Artists to record and release his performance. The album became a success and was sold worldwide.[3]
The mid-1970s saw Bailey as a mainstay in showrooms in Las Vegas, it was at this time he was named Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year. He also was booked for concerts around the world, including the
Bailey performed at some major venues. He performed at
In the late 1980s, he began to appear again in feature films. Because Barbra Streisand was not performing on the night club and concert circuit in the mid-1980s, Bailey decided to re-create some of her great movie performances and adapt them to his stage performances. In the late 1980s, he also toured with the musical Nite Club Confidential. Ten years later, in 1995, he performed at an event for Streisand, Clint Eastwood, Warren Beatty, and others.
In the 1990s, Bailey performed for
At the start of the new millennium, Bailey did a guest starring role on Ally McBeal as Harold Dale and an episode of Duckman. He continued with concerts and theater performances, including a critically acclaimed performances in Charles Rohm Smith's Tallulah and Tennessee, co-starring Betty Garrett as Estelle Winwood, Mae West at the Club El Fey and Me and Jezebel. Other theatrical work includes Jeffrey and Fragile Fire, directed by Paul Winfield.
Bailey continued performing his characterizations, including benefits for AIDS research charities around the world. In July 2008, Bailey was slated to appear in Hollywood, London, New York and San Francisco, marking 40 years since he first performed as Garland in 1968.[5]
In June 2009 Bailey played London's West End for the 40th anniversary of Judy's death. Susie Boyt from The Times wrote "There is nothing camp or stagey about his act—it can scarcely even be described as an act, for Bailey inhabits Garland's persona to such an extent that well, there she is. It is a supreme illusion, a sort of perfect madness."
Death
Bailey died on Saturday, May 30, 2015, of cardiac arrest due to complications of pneumonia, at Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley, California, according to his manager of 27 years, Stephen Campbell. He was survived by his brother.[6][4][5]
Discography
- 1972 Jim Bailey
- 1973 Jim Bailey Live at Carnegie Hall
- 1986 Mostly Mercer
- 1997 Club Verbotten
- 1998 Voices
- 2002 Judy Jim Judy
Singles
- 1972 "Every Minute Every Day"
- 1972 "When I Found You"
- 1973 "Love Song"
- 1988 "All I Ask Of You"
References
- ^ "Jim Bailey Banks on Fabulous Fakes". Philadelphia Daily News. May 13, 1983. Retrieved November 26, 2013. "They moved to New Jersey when Jim was 10, and lived in Palmyra, Riverside and Willingboro before locating in Vincentown, where he visited them this week before his shore date."
- ^ Lloyd, Jack (October 27, 1995). "Barbra, Liza Sing Praises Of Jim Bailey He Specializes In Streisand And Garland, But Don't Call Him A Female Impersonator. He Prefers 'Character Actor'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
The entertainer, a native of West Philadelphia and graduate of Riverside High School in Burlington County, has played many of the world's great concert venues, including London's Palladium, New York's Carnegie Hall and Los Angeles' Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
- ^ ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Illusionist Jim Bailey Dies at 77; Performed as Garland, Streisand, and More". www.advocate.com. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c Kinser, Jeremy (June 2, 2015). "Jim Bailey, One Of The Great Old School Female Illusionists, Has Died At 77". Queerty. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Barnes, Mike (June 2, 2015). "Jim Bailey, Impersonator of Hollywood's Female Icons, Dies at 77". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ Weber, Bruce (June 2, 2015). "Jim Bailey, Character Actor in Drag, Dies at 77". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
External links
- Jim Bailey at IMDb
- Jim Bailey - YouTube
- Jim Bailey dies at 77; impersonator gave voice to Garland, Streisand
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