Vaughn Meader as JFK

Vaughn Meader does the JFK press conference routine that made him a star. When JFK was assassinated in Dealey Plaza, Dallas Texas on November 22nd 1963 the career of Vaughn Meader ended as quickly as that of the President he imitated.

[@thomasmayk]

What a joy it was in the early sixties to have this fresh kind of political humor available. It was a rather paranoid, insecure time with everyone concerned about nuclear war. This type of comedy was a welcome antidote to the harsh reality. Our whole family laughed uncontrollably at Mr Meader whenever he was on TV. And the First Family album remains a genuine classic. The JFK assassination was a tragedy for many reasons, among them the sudden end to this gifted young man's career.

[@brianarbenz7206]

I'm a Vaughn Meader aficionado who has researched his life and spent some time him in the 1990s. I had scoured the world for every piece of Meader info I could find, but had bever seen this. I had read print stories describing some of these performances, but this is new. And thank you!

[@hibob418]

He just becomes Kennedy, it's amazing to watch. I found our family's copy of that record when I was about 7, and not knowing it was sort of taboo to play it after the assassination, I became immersed in it, mimicing all the parts, and it actually started me on my career to becoming a voice actor. In the late 90's a friend told me that Meader was playing guitar and singing at a little dive bar in Gulfport, Florida a couple of times a month, but didn't make it to see him in time. Would have liked to thank him in person. Tragic story, and there was talk several years ago of Bill Hader starring in the movie about him. PlayTone (Tom Hanks) owned the rights for a while - don't know how that all worked out. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@trevorkeyes2276]

excellent impression one of the best

[@themechanic.9545]

If Saturday Night Live was created in the 60's, it would have become one of the most famous Political Impersonations in the History of Television.

[@eyuin5716]

He still is

[@spockboy]

Thank Christ it wasn't. Meader was very talented.

[@CBSEye]

Even JFK himself liked this guy, although he thought he sounded more like Teddy than it did him.

[@bubbastill2040]

I've got the same problem with my Kennedy voice! But Vaughn was pretty dang close

[@nocturnalrecluse1216]

That's he said word for word.

[@Uhhhyeaahno]

Correct

[@brianarbenz7206]

Jacqueline Kennedy had mixed feelings about The First Family albums. She sent a memo to her aide directing her to write to Vaughn Meader saying that while the First lady didn't mind the impressions of herself or her husband, she was angered that Meader included impressions of the children. Children's voice specialist Norma McMillian did Caroline and baby talk of John Jr.

[@jonchaney]

This is like discovering a gem, dusting it off, its on the money. I realize why I didn't hear about him, time had to pass before it was funny.

[@brucemcgee2281]

He was fast with the wit. I remember the comedy album, and wondering if this was really Kennedy. (I was under 10 years old at the time.)

[@mariefortunato4737]

Enjoy listening to him!

[@johnmoyle4195]

This was the inspiration for Mayor Quimby

[@wilnerolivier7971]

Vote Quimby!!

[@MikeH0714]

This was from HOOTENANNY's season premiere of September 21, 1963. It was taped earlier in the month at Boston University. Obviously it was never repeated!

[@bashbrannigan]

He made so much money from his First Family album I would have thought he'd be set for life regardless Kennedy's death.

[@daviddavis7752]

I am listening to a podcast about him. The people “handling” his money, really didn’t do a good job of it.

[@heinrichvon]

His career ended on November 22, 1963.

[@paulthomasross9516]

Spot on! He captured Kennedy's wit, even if the questions were staged. My only minor complaint with Vaughn Meader is that he came across as a "spaced out" JFK at times, losing the air of intense focus JFK always exhibited. But this is being nit-picky - I certainly could not do better!

[@barbaras631]

"Let me say this about that." Always cracks me up.

[@BuddyNovinski]

This is a nice trip back 50 years. It makes today pale in comparison!

[@bubbastill2040]

I was born 16 months after Dallas,so I don't remember Vaughn or JFK's all too brief but brilliant reign.But when I was 10 my stepgranddad gave me some memorial books and magazines (and The Warren Report!) and I "fell in love" with JFK ,and ached for what might have been (my stepbrother went to Vietnam from '70 to '72,had problems afterward and committed suicide).On a lighter note I purchased and enjoyed Rich Little's 1981 album on Reagan (which had a Vaughn Meader-like cover).Hilarious!

[@jamesfeldman4234]

It's too bad that Vaughn Meader's agent didn't try to resurrect Vaughn's career sometime after JFK's death with a one-man play featuring Vaughn as JFK in a mostly serious presentation of JFK's life, similar to the concept that Hal Holbrook did so wonderfully in "Mark Twain Tonight." The play could have been a tragi-comedy historical tribute to JFK showing JFK talking about the key events of his life, with occasional comedy featuring the classic Kennedy wit. I feel certain that Vaughn could have made the transition and would have effectively become JFK on stage, offering audiences the opportunity to recapture the magic of "Camelot." And much like Hal Holbrook, Vaughn could have returned to his role from time to time.

[@sugarjoe50]

When JFK died so did Vaughn Meader's career. Sad.

[@enna1913]

The night of JFK's death, Lenny Bruce came on stage to do his show. He shook his head saying, "Shit, man, Vaughn Meader."

[@CRA5759]

“There goes Vaughn Meader’s job.”

[@benjyfriedman]

Lenny's actual words were: "Man, is Vaughn Meader f*cked."

[@pookiebear364]

The amazing thing in looking at audiences they are young but they seem informed. They are looking forward to a better world. How many of those young men will be sent off to Viet Nam and never come back home?

[@CRA5759]

The Republicans are much worse nowadays:Money=Free Speech, peddling conspiracy theories, thinking the KKK is a “fine group”, demonizing immigrants, throwing kids in cages, kicking out kids with cancer, working with foreign govts. to undermine free and fair elections, denigrating minorities, the poor, wanting guns everywhere, controlling women’s bodies, advocating Christian Dominionism.

[@jfredq]

@@CRA5759 cry harder

[@mansonmurders]

Actually, what Bruce came out and said, was, "Man... Vaughn Meader got fucked..."

[@Uhhhyeaahno]

I enjoy this comedic actor, hopefully he is still alive to this day!

[@sandraandrews9907]

@Uhhhyeaanno. Sadly, Meader died in October 2004. He was 68. He died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 😦💔🙏

[@1olddirtroad]

he captured the wit perfectly

[@snoops71]

He's pretty good!

[@davidcurran-z8g]

Good , clean fun without malice or vindictiveness. Those were the days when our politics was serious but not visceral and personal like it is today. If we know what’s good for us as a country, we will get back to the way it was or we will regret it!

[@stephenkennedy8767]

What a great clip

[@tomlavelle8518]

Considering the context of this (optimistic America), this is very funny and cute! He even kinda resembles JFK. But knowing the coming tragedy, it is very sad indeed.

[@tarful58]

Brilliant!!!!

[@MrUnidyne]

He finished his career as the front man for the Country-Western band "Abbott Meader and the Honky-Tonk Angels"

[@rondunderfunk]

Poor bastard--his career ceased to be when JFK was killed, nobody bought into him doing anything else even tho he was quite a talented man. He wound up back in his native Maine as a piano player in a bar, I believe, and passed away a few years ago.

[@tomitstube]

he really was good wasn't he? meader had somewhat of a tragic life, with a brief moment as a star. how much would it suck to be a reminder of one the worst moments in history for millions of people?

[@AssinnippiJack]

The Red Sox crack was great! They were terrible in the early 60's despite hosting the All-Star Game in '61 & having Yaz. Tom Yawkey's Country Club!

[@ignorecorporatenews]

Read a biography about V. Meader, he had a super interesting life, a tough childhood, went from rags to riches impersonating JFK, then went back to "rags" after JFK was murdered.

[@josephforest7605]

He should have invested and put away some of his money .

[@kenanacampora]

Who IS this super sharp guy?

[@Zuckerpuppekopf]

He looks like Robert, sounds like Teddy.

[@TheTwinRabbitMan]

Meader's impression was amazing! What show is this clip from? What Year?

[@jeffreymclaughlin6143]

THE SHOW HOOTENANNY FROM THE YEAR 1963

[@markoblazney6360]

A lot of vigah heah

[@arricammarques1955]

Tricky Dick: 'I am not a crook' declaration of guilt!

[@arricammarques1955]

@Herbert Norkus Politics is rife with corruption.

[@RELubber]

“What roles did the Vice President play in your administration?” Um, how about murderer?

[@alfredfreedomjones5105]

💯

[@CrimeComunismFagotry]

Original Complete Routine Planned for Hootenany JFK/VM: I just came back from my American Park Service tour and all I can say is that when they said it was open season I didn't know they were talking about presidents Audience Member: Are you ready for your appearance at the Army/Navy Game in Chicago JFK/VM: I think so, we don't know whether we will be driving or boarding a helicoptah at this point.. Audience Member: ?.. JFK/VM: ..depends on the weathah Audience Member: ?.. JFK/VM: ..the parade route Audience Member: planning on visiting?.. JFK/VM: ..next question (points) Audience Member: how about Texas? JFK/VM: We should be appearing in San Antonio, Houston and Dallas for a limited engagement during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Currently I believe we're booked at the Trade Mart but don't quote me on this in case the appearance gets cancelled mysteriously.. Audience Member: They say the Right Wing is pretty well represented there. Will you be talking about security? JFK/VM: Are you talking about America's or my own? Audience Member: Are you afraid of General Walker or his followers after Ambassador Stevenson's appearance there? JFK/VM: Not as afraid as I am of whomever took that shot at him..

[@rentslave]

One stark difference between then and today:Were anything to happen to Trump,Alec Baldwin's career would continue uninterrupted.

[@keithp1417]

@Herbert Norkus i'm so sorry your shorts seem to be all bunched up

[@trevorkeyes1694]

Must of been very sad after Kennedy's assassination why did he not impersonator Bobby because the brothers sounded very much the same

[@dimbulb1178]

Then his career would have ended twice.

[@EricCharlesGraham]

He sounded more like Teddy back then, actually

[@firemangan2731]

@@EricCharlesGraham Thats what JFK himself said. To everyone, Meader sounded alot like Kennedy. Teddy Roosevelt has a soft-aristocratic-like voice despite him being an outdoor adventure and an army man. Much different from Kennedy’s American-Irish mixed accent voice.

[@ajay999999]

He didnt get much work after Nov 63

[@blobydude420productions4]

That would make sense since he sounded more like teddy than it did jfk

[@FrankIsAlwaysRight]

Herbert Norkus fuck you

[@MetalandHotRods]

Er, uh