Best Sports Figure Impersonators

When it comes to sports figure impersonators, it's hard to top comedian Frank Caliendo. However, there are a few talented folks who should at least make a top-12 list. 

Many sports impersonators include athletes themselves—Blake Griffin, anyone? But today we'll stick to people whose primary careers do not involve playing for professional sports leagues.

Whether they've done multiple impressions like Caliendo or specialize in just one sports figure like Aaron Rodgers look-alike Tom Wrigglesworth, these actors and comedians have sports figures down pat. 

Let's find out whose impressions are simply good and whose are downright uncanny.

Tom Wrigglesworth

Tom Wrigglesworth is a British comedian, but you probably know him better for his striking resemblance to Aaron Rodgers. In 2014, he actually made a lot of Green Bay Packers fans believe he was their quarterback. Wrigglesworth and Rodgers have met, and the comedian has even done a State Farm commercial. 

While his impersonation relies more on appearance than mannerism, it's still hilarious.

Seth MacFarlane

Writer/actor/producer Seth MacFarlane hosted Saturday Night Live in 2012 and hilariously impersonated Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte. 

Anyone who has seen Family Guy knows MacFarlane isn't exactly worried about offending people, and Lochte was no exception. MacFarlane portrayed the swimmer as pretty ditzy, and when Locthe caught wind, he unfortunately wasn't pleased.

Steve Carell

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You remember Herm Edwards’ epic "you play to win the game" rant in 2002, right? Comedian Steve Carell does. He did a spot-on impersonation of it for an NFL Network promo in 2013.

Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell made waves in the sports world during spring training by actually playing in 10 games in one day. Before that, the comedian endeared himself to baseball fans everywhere with his epic Harry Caray impersonations on Saturday Night Live. 

Ferrell's character is hilarious, but I'd be remiss if I didn't at least give a shoutout to major leaguers Ryan Dempster and Derek Holland, who also do a mean H.C.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks is an Academy Award-winning actor famous for iconic performances in Forrest Gump, Castaway, Toy Story and many others. 

Now, he can add NFL impressionist to his long list of roles. Appearing on the Late Show With David Letterman in February, Hanks imitated Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin and others as he explained a game he often plays with his sons.  

Gar Ryness

Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates can do some pretty legitimate batting-stance impressions. However, Gar Ryness, aka the "Batting Stance Guy," is the true master of that particular craft.

He has his own website dedicated to impersonating MLB players. From Manny Ramirez to Jeff Bagwell and many others, no major leaguer is safe from the self-proclaimed, "least-marketable skill in America."

Jay Pharoah

Saturday Night Live cast member Jay Pharoah does an awesome Stephen A. Smith impersonation. It's so good, the sportscaster himself was in stitches over it.

Unfortunately, Shannon Sharpe did not have the same reaction when Pharoah mimicked him on the show.

Josh Berry

Who is Josh Berry, you ask? He’s a young tennis fan who also happens to be a talented comedian. In fact, Berry is actually known as a "tennis impressionist."

His subjects include legends such as Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. He's become a bit of a staple in the tennis community, attending matches and even appearing with some of the stars themselves.

Jamie Foxx

Entertainer Jamie Foxx is not new to the sports world. He starred in Any Given Sunday and just sang the national anthem at the fight of the century. He's also reportedly signed on to play Mike Tyson in an upcoming biopic.   

Even with all that, his spot-on impersonation of LeBron James has to be one of his best sports moments.

Aries Spears

Warning: Video contains NSFW language. 

Comedian Aries Spears has hilariously imitated several sports figures over the years, including big NBA personalities Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley. After a poorly conceived Michael Sam joke in 2014, Spears recently rebounded by impersonating Terrell Suggs leading up to Super Bowl XLIX.

Dizzy Grant

Dizzy Grant is a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, and he's a skilled imitator of basketball players. He absolutely nails it in this video, mimicking the on-court mannerisms of NBA greats like Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

Frank Caliendo

Obviously, there can be no other champion of this list than Frank Caliendo. The former MADtv comedian has been impersonating sports personalities for years, and his impressionistic abilities are truly amazing.

Stephen A. Smith, Charles Barkley, Mel Kiper Jr., Jon Gruden—no one is safe.

Most recently, he imitated Bill Walton on ESPN’s Mike and Mike and introduced the Arizona Diamondbacks lineup using a variety of sports and celebrity personalities.