Alter Ego Acting: Difference between revisions

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* Jane Turner and Gina Riley rarely appear out of character as [[Kath and Kim]].

* [[Larry the Cable Guy]] used to simply be a role Daniel Lawrence Whitney would use on stage in his comedy routine, but it eventually took over his entire persona in all work he did - film, television, interviews, et cetera. He even wrote a book in-character, littered with grammatical errors. Whitney will usually break character for a few seconds once or twice per show as part of a joke.

* [[Tom Baker]] kept up the persona of the fourth Doctor during his time on ''[[~~Doctor Who (TV)|~~Doctor Who]]'', and if fans met him in the street, he always tried to make sure they met The Doctor.

* [[Tom Baker]] kept up the persona of the fourth Doctor during his time on ''[[Doctor Who]]'', and if fans met him in the street, he always tried to make sure they met The Doctor.

* Rob Potylo used to record albums, play concerts, and make appearances on radio shows or at comedy clubs as Robby Roadsteamer, a trashy [[Jerkass]] [[Guttural Growler]] initially inspired by the way he saw singers for local nu-metal bands carry themselves on stage. He did some interviews as himself where he'd acknowledge Robby Roadsteamer as a character, but for the most part he would never appear publicly as himself. The character eventually got retired because he was concerned that if he kept it up too long he'd be pigeonholed - nowadays he makes music as himself rather than the character. It's since been joked that Robby Roadsteamer still exists, he just hasn't been heard from in years because he and his band left the Boston music scene for Western Massachusetts.

* Comedian Leigh Francis has hardly ever appeared on TV as himself. He is currently known as Keith Lemon, but has previously been Avid Merrion, The Bear, and singer Craig David.<ref>One of his many celebrity impressions from ''Bo' Selecta!'', which is ''nothing'' like the real person: Craig is not an incontinent Northerner with a pet falcon.</ref>

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** He also does a nightly, syndicated radio show, 'Nights with Alice Cooper' where he is very well spoken, funny and knowledgable. He tells jokes and stories about other musicians and interviews his famous friends. He regularly makes the distinction between his real life self and his stage persona on air.

** In interviews, Vincent Furnier (Alice Cooper's real name) refers to Alice Cooper in the third person, and has mentioned that his children didn't think of Alice Cooper as their father when they were growing up.

* [[Penn & Teller]] also maintain a distinct "version" of themselves for the stage. Most notably, Teller is almost never seen to speak on stage, maintaining a mute contrast to Penn Jillette's boisterous, extra-large personality. This model of themselves has been consistent even in other roles, for example in an episode of ''[[~~Babylon 5 (TV)|~~Babylon 5]]'' where they played comedy team Reebo and Zooty. Off stage, however, Teller is known to be an articulate and engaging speaker. On occasion, when Teller speaks on camera, his face is obscured. A notable subversion is their feature-length film ''[[Penn and Teller Get Killed (Film)|Penn and Teller Get Killed]]'', in which Teller maintains his mute persona until the very end, when he breaks character and speaks.

* [[Penn & Teller]] also maintain a distinct "version" of themselves for the stage. Most notably, Teller is almost never seen to speak on stage, maintaining a mute contrast to Penn Jillette's boisterous, extra-large personality. This model of themselves has been consistent even in other roles, for example in an episode of ''[[Babylon 5]]'' where they played comedy team Reebo and Zooty. Off stage, however, Teller is known to be an articulate and engaging speaker. On occasion, when Teller speaks on camera, his face is obscured. A notable subversion is their feature-length film ''[[Penn and Teller Get Killed (Film)|Penn and Teller Get Killed]]'', in which Teller maintains his mute persona until the very end, when he breaks character and speaks.

* Andy Kaufman, again, experimented extensively with different personas on stage -- all of them ''called'' "Andy Kaufman," but not representative of his real personality.

* [[Stephen Colbert]]'s on-air persona as a [[Strawman Political|self-centered, hypocritical, frothing-at-the-mouth strawman conservative commentator]] is a complete act. Questioned by Larry King, he confirmed that "I call him 'him'."

** This became surreal when he was vetted for a position in Barack Obama's cabinet, and Fake!Colbert insisted that he, the real person, could not be held responsible for the actions of a character he portrayed.

** One episode made fun of this. It featured the fake Stephen Colbert thinking he was going to interview the fictional persona of the band [[Gorillaz (Music)|Gorillaz]], but was disappointed to find out everyone was out of character. He then breaks character ''himself'' and interviews the real people behind the band Gorillaz.

** It got really interesting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, where the Fake!Colbert praised [[George W Bush]]'s administration - with the [[Sarcasm Mode]] on, of course ("'Oh, they're just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.' First of all, that is a terrible metaphor. This administration is not sinking. This administration is soaring. If anything, they are rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg!").

** It got really interesting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, where the Fake!Colbert praised [[George W. Bush]]'s administration - with the [[Sarcasm Mode]] on, of course ("'Oh, they're just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.' First of all, that is a terrible metaphor. This administration is not sinking. This administration is soaring. If anything, they are rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg!").

** Al Gore casually mentioned Colbert's character here, leading to Colbert claiming he had no idea what he was talking about [http://www.aoltv.com/2011/09/14/al-gore-slips-up-refers-to-stephen-colberts-character-video/\]

* [[Marilyn Monroe]] was doing a walk-and-talk interview on the street with a biographer, without drawing any attention from the public around them. She turned to the author and asked "Do you want me to be ''her''?", then slipped into her star persona by adopting a different walk and facial expression. Immediately passersby were turning their heads, waving, and asking for autographs.

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[[Category:Creators]]

[[Category:Alter Ego Acting]]

[[Category:Trope]]