Rich Little Biography: Richard Caruthers Little, OC born November 26, 1938), is a Canadian-American comedian, impressionist, and voice actor. Often referred to as the “Man of a Thousand Voices,” Little has released nine comedy albums and made numerous appearances on television, including three specials on HBO.
Rich Little Biography
Born in Canada, Rich Little began his career like many comedians of his era — performing in nightclubs. He quickly became a popular act, but what truly set him apart was his remarkable talent for impersonations. Throughout his life, he studied and mastered the voices of numerous celebrities, including James Stewart, Johnny Carson, Don Rickles, Dean Martin, Truman Capote, and George Burns.
Rich Little Biography 2025 Details
| Birth name | Richard Caruthers Little |
|---|---|
| Born | November 26, 1938 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Medium |
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| Years active | 1956–present |
| Genres |
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| Spouse |
Jeanne Worden (m. 1971; div. 1989)
Jeannette Markey
(m. 1994; div. 1997) Marie Marotta
(m. 2003; died 2010) Catherine Brown
(m. 2012; div. 2012)
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| Partner(s) | Melinda Saxe (1988–1991) |
| Children | 2 |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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Rich Little Achievements
By the late 1960s, Little had earned the title of “the best impressionist in the world.” During the 1970s, a professional rivalry emerged between him and fellow impressionist Frank Gorshin, who was five years his senior. Ultimately, Little’s versatility and skill helped him rise to the top, solidifying his reputation as the premier impressionist of his time.
About Rich Little
Richard Caruthers Little OC is a Canadian-American comedian, impressionist and voice actor. Sometimes known as the “Man of a Thousand Voices”, Little has recorded nine comedy albums and made numerous television appearances, including three HBO specials.
Rich Little Wiki
- Born: 26 November 1938 (age 86 years), Ottawa, Canada
- Spouse: Catherine Brown (m. 2012) ·
- Children: Lyndsay Cottrell Little, Bria Little
- Partner: Melinda Saxe
- Height: 1.8 m
- Parents: Lawrence Peniston Little, Elizabeth Maud Little
Early Life
Richard Little was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, as the middle of three sons. His older brother is Fred, and his younger brother is Chris. father, Lawrence Peniston Little, was a surgeon who served as a lieutenant commander in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War II, later working for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs until his death in 1959. His mother, Elizabeth “Betty” Maud (née Wilson), was a homemaker who grew up in Sarnia, Ontario.
Little is a third-generation Canadian, with English ancestry on his father’s side and Irish on his mother’s. His family lineage includes notable historical figures: his maternal ancestor John Willson served as Speaker of the 5th Parliament of Upper Canada in the 1820s, and his maternal grandfather was a judge. On his paternal side, his great-grandfather, William Carruthers Little, was a Liberal-Conservative Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1881.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Richard Caruthers Little
- Date of Birth: November 26, 1938
- Place of Birth: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Nationality: Canadian-American
- Profession: Comedian, Impressionist
- Children: One daughter, Lyndsay Cottrell
- Net Worth: Estimated between $5–10 million
Rich Little Family Background
Rich Little was born into a third-generation Canadian family in Ottawa, Ontario. His father was of English descent and his mother of Irish heritage. From an early age, he showed a natural talent for mimicry and comedy, often amusing family and friends by imitating teachers and public figures. As a teenager, he teamed up with friend and fellow comic Geoff Scott to form a local comedy duo. The pair performed at community events such as Shriners’ conventions and Knights of Columbus gatherings. Little also gained early broadcasting experience working as a relief announcer at Ottawa’s CFRA radio station during his summer breaks — experiences that would set the stage for his future in entertainment.
Career Beginnings and Milestones
Rich Little began his professional career in the early 1960s as a disc jockey at CJET radio in Smiths Falls, Ontario. His uncanny ability to impersonate celebrities quickly became the centerpiece of his radio program. In 1963, he released two comedy albums through Capitol Records Canada, establishing himself as a rising star. he had transitioned to television, appearing on local shows like Folderol on CBOT. His major break came after moving to the United States, where he began making guest appearances on high-profile variety programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
His spot-on impressions of Carson, Richard Nixon, and other prominent figures earned him widespread acclaim. Little became a household name through frequent appearances on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts and The Kopycats. He entertained audiences with his impersonations of Jimmy Stewart, Ronald Reagan, Jack Benny, and many others. He also provided voice dubbing for actors like David Niven in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983), and for James Cagney in a television biography.
Notable Works and Achievements
Rich Little’s career spans multiple entertainment mediums:
- Television: Frequent guest on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, The Julie Andrews Hour, and Hollywood Squares.
- Film: Voice work in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983) and a role in Orson Welles’ long-delayed film The Other Side of the Wind (filmed in 1972, released in 2018).
- Stage: Performed in his one-man show Jimmy Stewart and Friends, showcasing his talent for bringing iconic personalities to life.
- Awards: Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983 and inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 1998. Named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2022 for his contributions to entertainment and culture.
Current Relevance and Recent Updates
Now in his mid-80s, Rich Little remains active in live performance. From 2015 to 2024, he headlined Rich Little Live! at the Laugh Factory inside the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, a show that celebrated his decades-long career with video montages and live impressions. Though he has stepped back from frequent television appearances — in part due to ageism within the industry — Little continues to appear in interviews and live events. With the Tropicana now closed, he has expressed interest in bringing his show to new venues, continuing to share his legendary talent with audiences around the world.
Personal Life and Relationships
Rich Little’s personal life has been as dynamic as his professional career. He has been married four times:
- Jeanne Worden (1971–1989): Their marriage lasted nearly two decades before ending in divorce.
- Jeannette Markey (1994–1997): This union lasted three years.
- Marie Marotta (2003–2010): Their marriage ended with Marotta’s passing in 2010.
- Catherine Brown (2012–present): The couple currently lives in Las Vegas.
- Little has one daughter, Lyndsay Cottrell, from a previous relationship.
Interesting Facts and Trivia
- He has impersonated every U.S. president from John F. Kennedy onward.
- Dubbed James Cagney’s voice when the actor’s health prevented him from performing.
- Became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2008, celebrating the occasion with an impression of John Wayne.
- A skilled artist, Little creates charcoal sketches of the celebrities he imitates.
- Actively supports charities including the Juvenile Diabetes Fund and Children’s Miracle Network.
Charitable Work and Legacy
Rich Little is known for his ongoing philanthropic work, particularly in support of children’s charities. Beyond his legendary comedy career, his legacy includes preserving the voices and personalities of iconic public figures through his masterful impressions. He has been honored with stars on both the Hollywood and Canada’s Walks of Fame, and remains a source of inspiration for generations of comedians and performers who have followed in his footsteps.
Future Plans and Cultural Impact
Looking ahead, Rich Little intends to continue performing live and is exploring new creative projects that highlight his storied career. His contributions to comedy and pop culture remain significant, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest impressionists of all time.
Rich Little Net Worth 2025
Rich Little’s net worth is estimated between $5 and $10 million, earned through a long and varied career in:
- Live performances
- Television appearances
- Voice acting
- Album royalties
Though financially successful, Little leads a modest lifestyle compared to many of his celebrity peers, maintaining homes in Las Vegas.
FAQs
What happened between Rich Little and Johnny Carson?
Little claims in his biography that he was banned because Carson was offended by his impression, and this claim was supported by Henry Bushkin, Carson’s long-time lawyer, who stated that nobody got under Carson’s skin more than Little.
What did Rich Little do for a living?
Richard Caruthers “Rich” Little is a Canadian – American impressionist and voice actor. Little has long been known as a top impersonator of famous people throughout the world, which has resulted in him being referred to as “The Man of a Thousand Voices”.
What was Little Richard’s net worth when he died?
Little Richard’s net worth at the time of his death was approximately $40 million, a sum that reflected both his groundbreaking career and the financial challenges he faced throughout his life. His son, Danny Jones Penniman, inherited his estate and has played a key role in preserving his father’s legacy.
Is Rich Little still married?
He had a daughter in 1988, Lyndsay Cottrell from a previous relationship. Then he was married to Jeannette Markey from 1994 until they divorced in 1997. Then he was married to Marie Marotta from 2003 until her death in 2010. He has now been married to Catherine Brown since 2012.
Was Rich Little on Family Guy?
Little was also featured in an episode of “Family Guy” in which the main character, Peter Griffin, buys a ham radio at a yard sale and thinks he is communicating with the spirit of Reagan — only to realize it’s actually Little on the other end.