James Ross Meskimen (born September 10, 1959) is an American actor, comedian and impressionist, who is best known for his voice-over work in video games.
Early life
James Ross Meskimen was born in Santa Monica, California on September 10, 1959, the son of Marion Ross and Freeman Meskimen.
Career
In the 1980s, Meskimen worked at Rankin/Bass as a character designer for ThunderCats.
In the 1990s, Meskimen played 5 inch tall "Little Guy" in commercials for TGIFridays.
In the 2000s, Meskimen portrayed the father of Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen's characters in Our Lips Are Sealed, and Officer Wholihan in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
For voiceover, he provided the voices of Thom Cat, Neighbor John, and Stumpy in the Thom Cat short film on Random! Cartoons, Genie in the Aladdin franchise (which started with Disney Think Fast in 2008 and even before Robin Williams's suicide in 2014), several different characters in Lego The Lord of the Rings, George W. Bush and other politicians for the Jib Jab animated shorts, David Petraeus in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (which he also motion-captured), and Ultron (as well as other characters) in various Marvel projects.
Meskimen was a contestant on season eight of America's Got Talent. He has also toured various U.S. cities performing a one-man act, entitled "Jimpressions", of celebrity impersonations and original characters.
Personal life
In 1987, Meskimen married Tamra Shockley. They have a daughter named Taylor (b. 1990). He is a Scientologist.
Filmography
Film
Television
Family Matters– Mission control (Season 9 episode 21 and 22) 3rd Rock from the Sun – Alan (Season 2 Episode 4) Anger Management – Daniel Community – Christopher Walken/Tommy Lee Jones impersonator (Season 3 Episode 11) Friends – Bill (Season 10 Episode 2) Even Stevens - Dr. Dean Good Omens - George H. W. Bush (voice) Hot in Cleveland – Professor Zucker Kickin' It - Principal Bucket (Season 2, Episode 9) Mad – Gandalf, Droopy, Benedict Arnold, additional voices Malcolm in the Middle – Waiter NCIS - Dr. Farrel Emerson Parks and Recreation – Martin Housely Phineas and Ferb – Additional voices Random! Cartoons – Thom Cat, Neighbor John, Stumpy ("Thom Cat" short) Rules of Engagement – Mr. Wrigley Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue! – Agent 1, Robi The Big Bang Theory – Doctor, Man (voice), Las Vegas Wedding Chapel Minister The Boondocks – Bill O'Reilly, Chris Hansen, Additional voices The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – Prof. Jeremy Mansfield (Season 4 Episode 3), Werner (Season 6 Episodes 2 and 3 and 11) The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest – Additional voices Time Squad – George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush Two and a Half Men – Gangster #2 (voice) Whose Line Is it Anyway? – Himself Family matters