How comedian Matt Friend went from Austin Powers impersonations as a kid to sharing his impressive imitations of Hollywood of stars

In the whirlwind of fame and fortune, it seems as if I’ve stumbled upon a golden ticket, or rather, a golden microphone. From the hallowed halls of Hollywood to the bustling backstage of the Emmys, my life has become a rollercoaster ride that would make even the most seasoned thrill-seekers green with envy.

Nailing an impression of a Hollywood celebrity in front of the A-lister themselves may take a lot of nerve – but for Matt Friend, there’s nothing more thrilling. 

Armed with cheeky anecdotes and spot-on impressions, the comedian seems to be everywhere. 

From red carpets of major Hollywood award shows to podcasts with Bill Maher – he even accepted a guest spot at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner impersonating Donald Trump – in front of Joe Biden. 

However, what really caught people’s attention was his engaging talk with Paul Giamatti. It was evident that Giamatti was deeply impressed by Friends’ talents, as portrayed by his performance in Billions.

‘I’ve been obsessed with him for a long time,’ he tells DailyMail.com.

As Friend mingles with the dazzle of high-profile gatherings, he makes it clear that his presence isn’t by chance – he worked hard to get there.

A post shared by Matt Friend (@themattfriend)

Originally, my friend honed his skills within the vibrant Chicago comedy scene – a passion for amusing others that took root in him during his childhood years.

‘It starts with making your parents laugh,’ Friend says. 

At the tender age of four, he first encountered Austin Powers, a film that he claims sparked his lifelong fascination with humor.

Mike Myers’ numerous characters, such as Gold Member and Dr. Evil, served as inspiration for Friend to attempt creating impersonations.

‘I don’t know why I was so drawn to it, but I was,’ he says. 

After that, I began speaking in a manner similar to my grandpa, aiming to amuse both my parents and my peers.

While studying at NYU, he took any chance he could get to immerse himself in the world of comedy, 

‘I was very obsessed and focused, it became my extra-curricular activity,’ he says. 

It wasn’t before long he found his efforts were paying off. 

‘I would go to class and then I’d go to an open mic, and I was getting a name for myself. 

During my school years, I was earning performance spots in comedy clubs. As I gained traction, I felt the energy building up. But then the pandemic struck, leaving me at home with my family. My sister and I were left wondering, “What should we do now?

One idea he had was to create a mini late night talk show he called ‘Quarantime’. 

Writing over 50 episodes for his sketch series, he penned a timely monologue and hosted interviews, providing an engaging creative workout.

But it was pivoting to social media that really changed his life and opened doors.

Amidst the pandemic, Jimmy Kimmel shared his views publicly via broadcasts, sparking a flurry of media attention culminating in an appearance on Hoda and Jenna’s show.

He shares, “After working with them for a while, I began getting multiple media interviews and my fan base was gradually growing.

From there, all this ‘crazy stuff’ started to happen after he graduated college. 

The snowball effect occurred when Friend encountered famous personalities like Nicolas Cage, Austin Butler, Mark Ruffalo, and the notorious Giamatti on the Golden Globes’ red carpet this year. He daringly imitated their well-known voices with striking precision, leaving those around him in awe.

Friend was gutted to have missed Giamatti on the carpet – but when he saw an opening, he took it. 

My friend shared that he met him two minutes following his Golden Globe win for his performance in The Holdovers. Since the victory was fresh, he was incredibly joyful.

Friend doesn’t prepare or rehearse impressions like one might practice playing the violin. Instead, they come naturally to him.

He admits, “I end up experiencing it naturally, as I consume a great deal of films, literature, and television programs.

I stay well-informed about current pop culture and politics, which often leads me to spontaneously mimic characters without consciously realizing the process. It’s not something I can explain or rehearse; it just naturally comes to me.

When Howard Stern noticed Friend imitating his well-known style, he found it so appealing that he extended an invitation for Friend to appear on his program.

Since then, his chances have expanded to lend his voice to popular animated series that he admired as a child, such as The Simpsons and Family Guy. The latter even allowed him to interact with the show’s creator, Seth MacFarlane.

Beyond playfully dueling with celebrities for amusing videos, Friend has consistently thrived throughout the year, culminating in his recent performance as a Donald Trump impersonator at the Emmys.

Despite enjoying the benefits of his profession, he’s consistently working on expanding his time on stage for stand-up comedy, asserting that it involves much more than just impressions.

He mentions that he has had numerous experiences with famous individuals, yet it is his ability to imitate these celebrities that has earned him recognition. As a result, he shares many amusing tales about his encounters. He describes himself as someone who is always working hard and striving for more.

Friend maintains that his success is a result of persistence and self-belief.

Here’s a suggestion for paraphrasing: “It seems unusual for anyone to claim such unwavering certainty, as if they have everything figured out. The truth is, no one truly knows everything, but I focus on the effort and dedication I bring to my work.

I put in a lot of effort into my tasks, which sometimes feel incredibly challenging, but I believe hard work is the key to creating one’s own luck. I am deeply humbled and grateful for the opportunities that have come my way, as well as the things I’ve been able to accomplish. However, it’s important to remember that these achievements wouldn’t be possible without taking risks and stepping out of one’s comfort zone.

Each day, I strive to give my best, knowing that self-assurance is crucial when stepping onto a stage before an unfamiliar audience. There’s always the uncertainty of whether the performance will resonate – it feels somewhat delusional, questioning if this joke or act will hit the mark. Yet, I must trust in my abilities, believing that I have something valuable to share.

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2024-09-20 05:06